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Library

Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 50 of 62 results:

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
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Organization(s)
ACCA
Description
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

AHAM - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
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Organization(s)
AHAM
Description
Website providing research, efficiency and safety standards development, and advocacy to the home appliance industry to bring efficient, high-performing home appliances to consumers.

An Introduction To PSC Motors

Publication Date
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Author(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
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Organization(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
Description
Webpage that gives an introduction to PSC motors and their operation.

Analyzing Design Heating Loads in Superinsulated Buildings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report analyzing design heating load sizing methods for superinsulated homes in cold climates and comparing them to the actual energy usage to determine if the building load calculation methodology should be changed for calculating the design heating load of these homes.

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, BPVC.CC.BPV-2017

Publication Date
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Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASME
Description
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction which was published in the year 2017 and is available to order at the referenced link.

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, BPVC.CC.BPV-2021

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASME
Description
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction which was published in the year 2021 and is available to order at the referenced link.

Building with Ducts in Conditioned Space

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Sullivan Bruce,
Schmiede Angela
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Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Description
Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.

Ceiling Fan Basics

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
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Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
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Organization(s)
Massachusetts Department of Energy,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Home Energy Magazine,
State of Massachusetts
Description
Article describing customer tip sheet and how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.

Ceiling Fans Key Product Criteria

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website that describes two ceiling fan types and their respective ENERGY STAR eligible product types.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
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Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Cooling with a Whole-House Fan

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Cooling with Ventilation

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Houston Michael M,
Fairey Philip W
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Wilson Alex
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Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Distribution and Room Air Mixing Risks to Retrofitted Homes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Burdick Arlan
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Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
Report outlining the issues with using existing ducts with a new low-load HVAC system, which reduces throw at supply registers causing decreased mixing of supply and room air, leading to potential thermal comfort complaints.

ECM Motors: An Energy Saving Opportunity

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Office of Research Facilities
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Organization(s)
ORF
Description
Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.

Effect of Residential Ventilation Techniques for Hot and Humid Climates on Indoor Concentrations and Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Hodgson Alfred T,
Moyer Neil,
Beal David
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Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.

Energy Efficiency Standards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
Website describing analyses for products and standards affecting home heating, cooling, and appliances, in regards to technical, economical, and energy efficiency pathways.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ventilating Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.

Evaluation of Retrofit Variable-Speed Furnace Fan Motors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.

Fans for Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.

Gossamer Wind Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
University of Central Florida
·
Organization(s)
FSEC,
UCF
Description
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.

Home Ventilating Institute

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Description
Website providing certified rating programs to help manufacturers, builders, contractors and homeowners compare performance of ventilation products for air flow, sound, and other performance characteristics.

How Much Ventilation Do I Need?

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
·
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
·
Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

HVI Certified Products Directory

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Martin Eric
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Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

Publication Date
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Author(s)
California Air Resources Board,
California Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Description
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Guertin Mike
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Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Measure Guideline: Ventilation Cooling

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
German Alea
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Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Guide describing proper application, design, and installation of mechanical ventilation cooling systems for homes located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates, as well as a means of understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of these systems.

Night Ventilation Cooling Compliance Option

Publication Date
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Author(s)
California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program
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Organization(s)
California Public Utilities Commission,
CPUC
Description
Document describing recommended modeling rules, potential compliance credits, and eligibility criteria for residential night ventilation cooling systems for California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.

Residential Fan Efficiency - Code Notes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
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Organization(s)
DOE
Description
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E,
Goyal Siddharth,
Baechler Michael C
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Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
This research paper outlines residential HVAC advanced controls and sensors. It includes a technology review, applications, maintenance and commissioning, occupant behavior and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies for advanced controls for residential HVAC.

Swapping ECM for PSC fan motor

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
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Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Question and Answer article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.