Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 297 results:

2009 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2018

International Code Council

ICC

2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2010 Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings, FEMA P-804

2019

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.

2011 EnergyValue Housing Award Report

2012

Del Bianco Marie,

Sagan D,

Wood Amber

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

NAHBRC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report assessing the energy performance of the 2011 EVHA winners and to align the EVHA program with the BA program.

2012 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2018

International Code Council

ICC

2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2015 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2021

International Code Council

ICC

2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey - RECS Data

2015

U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIA

Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes.

2015 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

2015

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

IAPMO

Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2015 publication.

2018 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2021

International Code Council

ICC

2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

2018

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

IAPMO

Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

2021 Webinar Catalog - Region 2 Preparedness and Resilience Webinars

2022

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Catalog describing FEMA preparedness seminars from 2021 including preparedness and natural hazards topics.

45L Tax Credit Resource Hub - for Single-Family Homes

2024

BetterBuilt Northwest,

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

BetterBuiltNW,

NEEA

Webpage providing guidance on the 45L tax credit, assembling the most relevant information for Northwest builders to maximize their tax credit and build energy efficient homes.

A Business Case for Home Performance Contracting

2012

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Report discussing opportunities and trends in the U.S. home performance contracting industry, along with market drivers such as consumer demand; federal, state, and local programs; and utility and non-governmental programs.

A Decade of DOE ZERH: Making Zero Energy Homes Available Everywhere

2024

Theresa Gilbride,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Factsheet describing how the U.S. DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home program has evolved since 2013. This factsheet includes case studies, statistics about the program and specific building components, and a general outline of program requirements.

A Guide to Residential Energy Storage and Rooftop Solar: State Net Metering Policies and Utility Rate Tariff Structures

2024

Kerby Jessica,

Tarekegne Bethel

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Article describing utility rates, net metering policies, installation costs, financial incentives, and other info for both consumers who are interested in installing renewable energy systems and for energy justice and clean energy advocates.

Acceptance Criteria for Waterproof Membranes for Flooring and Shower Lining, AC115

2016

International Code Council

ICC

Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.

ACEEE 2024 Summer Study on Energy-Efficiency in Buildings Factsheet: 2021 IECC-Compliant Houses that Work in Every Climate Zone

2024

Theresa Gilbride,

Kaltreider Christian E

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Factsheet describing the motivation for adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and how the 2021 IECC Assemblies Tool developed by PNNL can be used to find IECC compliant whole-house assembly drawings.

ACEEE 2024 Summer Study on Energy-Efficiency in Buildings Factsheet: Construction Challenges in DOE Zero Energy Ready and ENERGY STAR Multifamily Housing

2024

Kaltreider Christian E,

Theresa Gilbride

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Factsheet describing the challenges faced when achieving high-performance multifamily homes.

Air Infiltration in Coastal Regions - The Paston Effect

2014

Bailey Ronald B,

Swanson Hollace J

BEC

Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.

Airtightness Results of Roof-Only Air Sealing Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

2014

Mosiman Garrett,

Ojczyk Cindy,

Murry T

University of Minnesota,

NothernSTAR

Research report describing study of interior and exterior air sealing techniques to stop ice dams in five 1.5-story retrofit homes conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

2008

Deer Charlie,

et al.

University of Alaska,

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Alliance for Water Efficiency

2020

Alliance for Water Efficiency

AWE

Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.

Analysis of Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Measure Packages

2013

Baker Julie D,

Brand Larry,

Yee Shannon

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

MEEA

Report that collected field data from a whole-home program in Illinois are utilized to compare marketplace-installed measures to the energy saving optimal packages previously developed for 15 housing types.

Are Your Multi-Family Buildings Accessible?

2009

Stratton Petter A

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Document highlighting federal accessibility laws which may apply to a housing development, and common mistakes made in the field which, if avoided, will help to ensure compliance.

Assessment of the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Energy Scoring Tool

2012

Roberts David,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report assessing the accuracy of HEST as it was being developed and to provide information useful to DOE program managers and HEST development team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Backerboards - Winners against Water

2010

Yost Peter

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.

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.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

2008

Kleva Stephen

Contractor Magazine

Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

2001

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

BSC Information - Common Flashing Details for All Climates, Sheet 303

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure providing information about flashing in all cimates.

BSC Information - Vapor Open Assemblies for All Climates, Sheet 311

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.

BSC Information - Vapor Permeance of Some Building Materials of Some Building Materials, Sheet 312

2013

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.

Build A Better Home: Moisture-Resistant Roof Construction

2017

APA - The Engineered Wood Association

American Plywood Association,

APA

Report providing water management details for roof assemblies.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

2005

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Builders Challenge Quality Criteria Support Document

2010

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document providing guidance to U.S. home builders who want to accept the challenge.

Building a Durable and Energy Efficient Home in Post-Katrina New Orleans, BA-0704

2007

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

Building America Guidance for Identifying and Overcoming Code, Standard, and Rating Method Barriers

2013

Cole Pam C,

Halverson Mark A

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Guidance document providing BA research teams and partners with specific information and approaches to identifying and overcoming potential barriers to Building America (BA) innovations arising in and/or stemming from codes, standards, and rating methods.

Building America Program

2021

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

A website providing information on the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center, a source for innovations in residential building energy performance, energy efficiency, quality, affordability and comfort for more than 20 years.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Building Energy Efficiency Standards - Title 24

2022

California Energy Commission

CEC

Website providing information about the Title 24 building energy efficiency standards for the State of California and links to current and past standards including the 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016 standards, etc.

Building Science Corporation (BSC) Building America Quality Control Checklist, GM-0802

2008

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.

Building Science Introduction

2011

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Document outlining building science principles about air flow, heat flow and moisture flow in homes.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

2011

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Capillarity Sucks, BSI-123

2021

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Choose A Light Guide

2021

ENERGY STAR

A simple three-step guide for homeowners who are looking to replace existing light bulbs with more energy-efficient, higher-performing bulbs.

Climate-Specific Passive Building Standards

2015

Wright Graham S,

Klingenberg Katrin

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on improving passive design adoption rates.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth edition, Volume I, FEMA P-55

2011

Coulbourne William,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

Applied Technology Council,

ATC,

URS Group,

DK Low and Associates,

Atkins,

TLSmith Consulting

Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth Edition, Volume II, FEMA P-55

2011

Coulbourne William,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

Applied Technology Council,

ATC,

URS Group,

DK Low and Associates,

Atkins,

TLSmith Consulting

Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

Comfort, Indoor Air Quality, and Energy Consumption in Low Energy Homes

2013

Tiefenbeck Verena,

Roth Kurt,

Engelmann P

Fraunhofer CSE,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report documenting the results of an in-depth evaluation of thermal comfort for two potential net zero-energy homes (NZEHs) in Massachusetts.