Library | Building America Solution Center

Accelerating Residential Building Decarbonization: Market Guidance to Scale Zero-Carbon-Aligned Buildings

Author(s)

Webster Brett,

Satre-Meloy Aven,

Badger Leslie,

Donovan Alison,

Lane Damon,

McGrath Kevin,

Wilson Eric,

Reyna Janet,

Metzger Cheryn E,

Pilet Tyler J,

Campbell Martha,

Toffoli Lucas

Organization(s)

Advanced Building Construction Collaborative,

ABC Collaborative,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Rocky Mountain Institute,

RMI,

Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,

VEIC

Publication Date

January, 2024

Report providing product manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers, design professionals, owners, and real estate developers with technical performance and cost guidance for scalable zero-carbon-aligned new construction pathways and retrofit packages to achieve zero carbon retrofits and...

Efficient Window Coverings Website

Author(s)

Efficient Window Coverings

Organization(s)

Building Green,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

July, 2023

Website sponsored by DOE to provide consumers with intelligent and unbiased guidance on the best window covering for your climate, your needs, and your windows.

SRI Calculator

Author(s)

Levinson Ronnen

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

February, 2023

Spreadsheet tool that computes solar reflectance index (SRI) and roof surface temperature based on solar reflectance and thermal emittance using ASTM standard E 1980.

Passive Cooling Designs to Improve Heat Resilience of Homes in Underserved and Vulnerable Communities

Author(s)

Sun Kaiyu,

Zhang Wanni,

Zeng Zhaoyun,

Levinson Ronnen,

Wei Max,

Hong Tianzhen

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

August, 2021

This study evaluated 11 measures for passive cooling using four heat resilience metrics with and without grid power in Fresno CA and found the two most effective measures were installing solar-control window films and adding roof insulation; natural ventilation also helped reduce overheating in...

Indoor Air Quality in California Homes with Code-Required Mechanical Ventilation

Author(s)

Singer Brett C,

Chan Wanyu R,

Kim Yang-Seon,

Offermann Francis J,

Walker Iain S

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

September, 2020

Solar-Reflective "Cool" Walls: Benefits, Technologies, and Implementation

Author(s)

Levinson Ronnen,

Ban-Weiss George,

Berdahl Paul,

Chen Sharon,

Destaillats Hugo,

Dumas Nathalie,

Gilbert Haley,

Goudey Howdy,

Houze de l'Aulnoit Sebastien,

Kleissl Jan,

Kurtz Benjamin,

Li Yun,

Long Yan,

Mohegh Arash,

Nazarian Negin,

Pizzicotti Matteo,

Rosado Pablo,

Russell Marion,

Slack Jonathan,

Tang Xiaochen,

Zhang Jiachen,

Zhang Weilong

Organization(s)

California Energy Commission,

CEC,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

University of Southern California,

USC,

University of California San Diego,

UC San Diego

Publication Date

April, 2019

California Energy Commission report presenting the concept of cool walls and providing guidelines for their building- and climate-appropriate use to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

Potential benefits of cool walls on residential and commercial buildings across California and the United States: Conserving energy, saving money, and reducing emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants

Author(s)

Rosado Pablo,

Levinson Ronnen

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

February, 2019

Large scale simulation study investigating the effects of cool roofs and walls on buildings of various vintages across the U.S., with special attention given to California.

Durable Airtightness in Single-Family Dwellings: Field Measurements and Analysis

Author(s)

Chan Wanyu R,

Walker Iain S,

Sherman Max H

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2015

Report on how airtighness changes as houses age.

Author(s)

Less Brennan,

Mullen Nasim A,

Singer Brett C,

Walker Iain S

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2015

This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Laboratory Evaluation of Air Flow Measurement Methods for Residential HVAC Returns

Author(s)

Stratton Chris J,

Walker Iain S

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2015

Report on performance of current diagnostics as well as a draft test method for use in future air flow evaluations.

A Simplified Model for Estimating Population-Scale Energy Impacts of Building Envelope Air-Tightening and Mechanical Ventilation Retrofits

Author(s)

Logue Jennifer M,

Turner William JN,

Walker Iain S,

Singer Brett C

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2015

Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy.

Energy and IAQ Implications of Residential Ventilation Cooling

Author(s)

Walker Iain S,

Turner William JN

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

August, 2014

This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.

Laboratory Evaluation of Air Flow Measurement Methods for Residential HVAC Returns for New Instrument Standards

Author(s)

Stratton Chris J,

Walker Iain S

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

California Energy Commission,

CEC

Publication Date

August, 2014

Guidance on performance of current diagnostics as well as a draft test method for use in future air flow evaluations.

Using a Ventilation Controller to Optimize Residential Passive Ventilation For Energy and Indoor Air Quality

Author(s)

Walker Iain S,

Turner William JN

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

August, 2014

This study uses a computer simulation approach to examine the energy and indoor air quality implications of passive and hybrid ventilation systems.

A Meta-Analysis of Single-Family Deep Energy Retrofit Performance in the U.S.

Author(s)

Less Brennan,

Walker Iain S

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2014

Report describing testing and analysis on deep energy retrofits of existing single-family homes in the U.S.

Reducing Residential Peak Electricity Demand with Mechanical Pre-Cooling of Building Thermal Mass

Author(s)

Walker Iain S,

Roux Jordan,

Turner William JN

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2014

This study used an advanced airflow, energy and humidity modeling tool to evaluate the potential for residential mechanical pre-scooling strategies to reduce peak electriciy demand.

Energy Savings from Window Attachments

Author(s)

Curcija Charlie,

Yazdanian Mehry,

Kohler Christian,

Hart Robert,

Mitchell Robin,

Vidanovic Simon

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2013

Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.

Participant Assisted Data Collection Methods in the California Healthy Homes Indoor Air Quality Study of 2011-13

Author(s)

Mullen Nasim A,

Li Jina,

Singer Brett C

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

August, 2013

Report describing a field study to measure pollutant concentrations in 324 homes in California.

Assessment of Literature Related to Combustion Appliance Venting Systems

Author(s)

Less Brennan,

Wray Craig P,

Stratton Chris J,

Singer Brett C,

Rapp Vi H

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

June, 2012

The exhaust from residential combustion appliances contains air pollutants and high levels of moisture that must be conveyed to the outdoors to maintain acceptable indoor quality.

Experimental Evaluation of Installed Cooking Exhaust Fan Performance

Author(s)

Singer Brett C,

Delp William W,

Apte Michael G

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

November, 2010

Report on the performance of range hood exhaust fans.

Review of Residential Ventilation Technologies

Author(s)

Rudd Armin,

Sherman Max H,

Russell Marion

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

August, 2005

Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.

Cool Colored Materials for Roofs

Author(s)

Akbari Hashem,

Levinson Ronnen,

Wiel Stephen,

Miller William,

Jenkins Nancy,

Rosenfeld Arthur,

Scruton Chris,

Desjarlais Andre O

Organization(s)

California Energy Commission,

CEC,

Public Interest Energy Research Program,

PIER,

Laboratory Directed Research and Development,

LDRD,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2004

Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.

Measured and Simulated Performance of Reflective Roofing Systems in Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Huang Yu Joe,

Konopacki Steven,

Gartland Lisa,

Gu Lixing,

Parker Danny S,

Sherwin John S

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 1998

Study investigating measured cooling energy savings in homes across the U.S. from the installation of roofing with higher solar reflectance.

Peak Power and Cooling Energy Savings of Shade Trees

Author(s)

Akbari Hashem,

Bretz Sarah E,

Kurn Dan M,

Hanford James W

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

March, 1997

Paper describing a study on savings in peak power and cooling energy for homes with shade trees.

Development of an Outdoor Temperature Based Control Algorithm for Residential Mechanical Ventilation Control

Author(s)

Less Brennan,

Walker Iain S,

Tang Yihuan

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

The main principle of smart ventilation used in this study is to shift ventilation from time periods with large indoor-outdoor temperature differences, to periods where these differences are smaller, and their energy impacts are expected to be less.