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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 2051 - 2100 of 2217

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.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
Borchelt Gregg J,
Bryja Jim,
Kjorlien Bill
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Publication Date
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Author(s)
Appalachian State University
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

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.

Hathaway "Solar Patriot" House: A Case Study in Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Author(s)
Norton Paul,
Hancock Ed,
Barker Greg M,
Reeves Paul
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership,
Partnership for Resource Conservation
Publication Date
Report detailing the monitored and modeled performance of a solar home outside of Washington DC.

The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

Author(s)
Cranor John
Organization(s)
American Society of Home Inspectors,
ASHI
Publication Date
Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.

Hot Water Runs Cold

Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.

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.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Author(s)
Dastur Cyrus,
Davis Bruce
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Decks - Fire Safe or Not?

Author(s)
Stephen L. Quarles
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

Author(s)
Fisette Paul
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts,
UMASS
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

Author(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau
Organization(s)
NEBB
Publication Date
Webpage describing the standards, seminars, exams, etc regarding testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB).

Weep Holes in Brick and Stone Veneer

Author(s)
Don Jackson
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)
Fulger Don
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Author(s)
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

Author(s)
Drumheller S Craig,
Wiehagen Joseph
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
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.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

The reHABITAT Guide: For Energy- and Resource-Efficient Retrofit Strategies

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
NREL,
SWA
Publication Date
Report developed for Habitat for Humanity about lessons learned from demonstration retrofit projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; with building systems consulting and technical assistance provided by Steven Winter Associates.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures, Revision 1

Author(s)
Hendron Robert,
Anderson Ren,
Judkoff Ron,
Christensen Craig B,
Eastment Mark,
Norton Paul,
Reeves Paul,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
Mountain Energy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.

Garage Performance Testing

Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Publication Date
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

Introduction to Buildings Systems Performance: Houses that Work II

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
BSC,
NREL
Publication Date
Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.

Whole House Fans

Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E,
California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.

Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices, SB-1898

Author(s)
California Legislative Information
Organization(s)
California Legislative Information
Publication Date
Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)
Gifford Henry
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

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

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Author(s)
Brown William C,
Dietrich Mike,
Latimer Mark
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.