Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 61 results:

2015 International Mechanical Code - IMC

2015

International Code Council

ICC

2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

AABC National Standards for Total System Balance, Seventh Edition

2016

Associated Air Barrier Council,

American National Standards Institute

AABC,

ANSI

Standards book discussing the minimum standards of total system balance of HVAC systems.

ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation, 8th Edition-Full, ANSI/ACCA 2-2016

2016

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condominiums, town houses and manufactured homes.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

2018

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

Actions for Flood Resilient Homes: Wet Floodproofing

2020

City of Edina

Report providing guidance on wet floodproofing crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages.

Analyzing Design Heating Loads in Superinsulated Buildings

2015

Arena Lois

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

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.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

2002

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Basement Insulation Technology Fact Sheet

2002

Southface Energy Institute

SEI,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

Bay Area Seismic Retrofit

2020

Bay Area Retrofit

YouTube channel featuring 90+ videos to educate Bay Area homeowners and contractors about seismic retrofitting, including information for various home and construction types.

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

2017

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME

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

2021

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME

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

2011

Sullivan Bruce,

Schmiede Angela

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

NEEA

Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.

Clanging Pipes and Open Windows: Upgrading NYC Steam Heating Systems for the 21st Century

2015

Flothow Jonathan

Energy Efficiency for All,

EEFA,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Report describing strategies to improve the aging steam heating systems in New York City to improve energy efficiency, reduce oil and gas usage, and cut maintenance costs.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

2008

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Crawlspace Insulation

2009

Southface Energy Institute,

et al.

ORNL,

SEI,

DOE

Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

Distribution and Room Air Mixing Risks to Retrofitted Homes

2014

Burdick Arlan

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS

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.

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

2005

Hodgson Alfred T,

Moyer Neil,

Beal David

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

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.

Evaluating Moisture Control of Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps in Mechanically Ventilated, Low-Load Homes in Climate Zone 2A

2018

Martin Eric,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.

Evaluation of Crawlspace Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

2014

Rudd Armin

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report analyzing results in crawlspace retrofits in multifamily buildings.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

2023

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Fixing Wet Basements and Crawlspaces

2012

Todd Jason

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing methods to manage moisture, rainwater, and vapor in basements and crawlspaces.

Foundation Design Handbook

2013

Carmody John,

et al.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

2022

Williams Randy

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

2010

Holladay Martin

Fine Homebuilding

Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Reduce Costs, Save Energy

2014

Hooker Kenneth A

Concrete Construction

Article describing frost-protected shallow foundations with construction drawing details.

Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting - Six Ways to Protect Your House From Flooding, FEMA I-235

2020

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Brochure describing FEMA documents and foundation tips for floodproofing homes.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

2012

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

How to Insulate Your Basement

2022

Mathews Erin

This Old House

An article and video of a breakdown on the preparation and installation of basement insulation.

Humidity and Variable Refrigerant Flow Operation in Multifamily Buildings

2025

Steven Winter Associates

SWA,

U.S. DOE,

U.S. Department of Energy

Report providing the results of an analysis of humidity control and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system efficiency in three new multifamily buildings in New York, NY.

Humidity Control: Supplemental Dehumidification in Hot-Humid Climates

2017

Home Innovation Research Labs,

National Association of Home Builders,

International Code Council

HIRL,

NAHB,

ICC

Fact Sheet describing the need for supplemental dehumidification, dehumidifier configuration options, and design considerations.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

2006

Raymer Paul H,

Moyer Neil

Tamarack Technologies,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

Hygrothermal Performance Study: A Field Study Comparison of the Energy and Moisture Performance Characteristics of Ventilated Versus Sealed Crawl Spaces in the South

2005

Davis Bruce,

Dastur Cyrus,

Warren William E

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

Advanced Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report outlining results from a 2005 hygrothermal pilot study in the South.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

2011

Guertin Mike

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

2019

Green Home Institute

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

2019

Green Home Institute

Keeping The Heat In - Chapter 6: Basement Insulation Floors, Walls and Crawl Spaces

2016

Natural Resources Canada

Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.

Manual B - Balancing and Testing Air and Hydronic Systems

2009

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard technical manual with information about HVAC balancing, testing air and hydronic systems.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

2012

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

2012

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

Measure Guideline: Supplemental Dehumidification in Warm-Humid Climates

2014

Rudd Armin

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing solutions for supplemental dehumidification in warm-humid climates.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

2020

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

NFIP Technical Bulletin 1: Requirements for Flood Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures - Below Elevated Buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas

2020

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Document describing guidance and requirements for flood openings in walls at and below grade.

Pump Day Procedures

2013

ICF Systems

Massachusetts Building Products

Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.

Rats: Information for Tenants and Property Owners

2017

City of New York

Website providing information about how to keep the properties rat-free and address conditions that can lead to rats.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

2004

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

2016

Southface Energy Institute

SEI

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Stop Pests in Housing

2018

Northeastern IPM Center

Website providing information on all types of pest management for multi-family housing.

Sunnyvale Marine Climate Deep Retrofit

2014

German Alea,

Siddiqi Aqdus,

Dakin Bill

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

Davis Energy Group,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research project evaluating the pre-and post-retrofit energy consumption of a marine climate retrofit, compare actual energy use to original predictions, and identify opportunities for cost savings in other similar retrofits in this climate.

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

2005

National Environmental Balancing Bureau

NEBB

Webpage describing the standards, seminars, exams, etc regarding testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB).