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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 351 - 400 of 474

Public Housing: A Tailored Approach to Energy Retrofits

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Conlin Francis,
Podorson David,
Alaigh Kunal,
Davis T
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report presenting ways public housing authorities (PHAs) can develop packages of energy efficiency retrofit measures the PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staff in the normal course of housing operations at the time when units are refurbished between occupancies.

Quality Assurance Roadmap for High Performance Residential Buildings, GM-0801

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Pettit Betsy,
Eng P
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Document outlining the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction.

Raised Ceiling Interior Duct System

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE case study findings on raised ceiling interior duct systems.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

READ THIS: Before You Move In, GM-0606

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing steps homeowners can take to improve the indoor air quality in their home, including ventilating, preventing pests, and reducing pollutants in the home.

READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit, GM-0603

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...

READ THIS: Before You Ventilate, GM-0604

Author(s)
Rudd Armin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document reviewing ventilation strategies for different climate zones that also includes schematic drawings and photographs of various ventilation installations.

Rebuilding Houston, BSI–101

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.

Reducing Thermal Losses and Gains With Buried and Encapsulated Ducts in Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Shapiro Carl,
Magee A,
Zoeller William
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report including an overview of the buried duct research and information the retrofit methodology used to install and test the three existing duct systems, including short- and long-term data collection.

Research Results from A Few Alternate Methods of Interior Duct Systems in Factory Built Housing Located In the Hot Humid Climate

Author(s)
Moyer Neil,
Stroer Dennis,
Hoak David,
McIlvaine Janet,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Calcs Plus
Publication Date
Document presenting results from testing prototype HVAC duct system designs that would locate the entire length of duct work within the air and thermal barriers of the building envelope. These include one that incorporated a high-side supply register, one that utilized a single soffit located within...

Residential Best Practices Criteria, Info-001

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document containing some of the basic characteristics for energy performance, durability, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality that should be met in all high performance homes.

Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage describing a DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. The challenge engages industry partners and focuses around the Cold Climate Heat Pumps, a more environmental and efficient heating alternative to traditional heating.

Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Rudd Armin,
Eng P,
Ueno Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.

Residential Feedback Devices and Programs: Opportunities for Natural Gas

Author(s)
Kerr Ryan,
Tondro Meredith
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Report aimed at gaining a better understanding about benefits, challenges and technologies associated with natural gas feedback systems.

Residential Mechanical Precooling

Author(s)
German Alea,
Hoeschele Marc
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Report evaluating mechanical AC precooling strategies in homes as a method for improving the load factor by shifting cooling operation from on-peak to off-peak hours.

Results From Development of Model Specifications for Multifamily Energy Retrofits

Author(s)
Brozyna Kevin
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report describing how modification of model specifications to include guidance on energy efficiency measures can create a greater level of consistency in executing energy efficiency retrofit measures across the multiple regions where a developer may work.

Results of Laboratory Testing of Advanced Power Strips

Author(s)
Earle Lieko,
Sparn Bethany
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report summarizing the results of laboratory testing of 20 advanced power strip products.

Retrofit Audits and Cost Estimates: A Look at Quality and Consistency

Author(s)
Eisenberg Liz,
Shapiro Carl,
Fleischer Wendy
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report describing research efforts focused on examining the audit reports for quality, comprehensiveness, and consistency.

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Kerrigan Philip,
Wytrykowska Honorata,
Van Straaten R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing, Volume 10

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Williamson Jennifer,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Retrofitting a 1960s Split-Level, Cold-Climate Home

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report on air-sealing programs for energy-efficiency retrofits.

Retrofitting Air Conditioning and Duct Systems in Hot, Dry Climates

Author(s)
Shapiro Carl,
Aldrich Robb,
Arena Lois
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report describing procedures for increasing sensible efficiencies through increased flow rates across the air handling unit and increased indoor coil sizes.

Retrofitting America: A 1970s Home Energy Efficiency Analysis

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Report about a tool developed to enable users to compare a typical 1970s ranch home against an IECC 2009 code-compliant home of the same configuration and against the 70s base case plus retrofits.

Retrofitting Combined Space and Water Heating Systems: Laboratory Tests

Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Schoenbauer Ben,
Hewett Martha,
Huelman Patrick H
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
University of Minnesota,
UMIN
Publication Date
Report presenting results of a laboratory experiment studying combi systems as a mode to eliminate safety issues associated with natural draft appliances.

Retrofitting Forced Air Combi Systems: A Cold Climate Field Assessment

Author(s)
McAlpine Jake,
Bohac Dave,
Schoenbauer Ben,
Hewett Martha,
Rothgeb Stacey
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMIN
Publication Date
This project analyzed combined condensing water heaters or boilers and hydronic air coils to provide high efficiency domestic hot water (DHW) and forced air space heating. Called "combi" systems, they provided similar space and water heating performance less expensively than installing two...

Retrofitting the Southeast: The Cool Energy House

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth,
Vijayakumar Gayathri,
Shapiro Carl,
Zoeller William
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report about a deep energy retrofit Cool Energy House.

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E,
Goyal Siddharth,
Baechler Michael C
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
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.

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

ReVision Home: Building Insulation

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about insulation retrofits for the hot-dry climate zones.

ReVision Home: Exterior Insulation Finish (EIFS)

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about exterior insulation in the hot-dry climate zones.

ReVision Home: Heating and Cooling Equipment

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about HVAC equipment design to maximize energy efficiency in the hot-dry climate zone.

ReVision Home: On-Site Renewable Energy

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet describing solar PV upgrade for an existing homes.

ReVision Home: Plumbing Fixtures

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet describing tankless hot water heating systems in existing homes.

ReVision Home: Solar Hot Water

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet describing solar hot water systems in existing homes.

ReVision Home: Standing Seam Metal Cool Roofing

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information about a roof retrofit using a metal, cool roof system.

ReVision Home: Tankless Water Heater

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet describing tankless hot water heating systems in existing homes.

ReVision Home: Weatherization Products

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about envelope and roof moisture control retrofit for a home.

ReVision Home: Windows and Patio Doors

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.

Revisions to the SRCC Rating Process for Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Huggins Jim,
Long Steven,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation,
SRCC,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Document discussing changes in testing the annual performance ratings for solar water heaters.

Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Room Air Conditioners

Author(s)
Energy Saver,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Web page providing an overview of room-level air conditioning systems such as window units and mini-splits.