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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 2218

2015 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 International Fire Code - IFC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

2021 International Fuel Gas Code - IFGC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) and Snow Course Data and Products

Author(s)
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
National Water and Climate Center,
Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program
Organization(s)
NRCS,
NWCC,
SSWSF
Publication Date
The website by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Water and Climate Center tracks snowpack sensor stations at multiple sites across the country providing an interactive US map of snow loads.

Uniform Codes by IAPMO

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
IAPMO,
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of codes published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers (IAPMO): the Uniform Mechanical Code; Uniform Plumbing Code; Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code; and Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (Uniform...

FEMA Comparison of Select NFIP & Building Code Requirements for Special Flood Hazard Areas

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing the similarities and differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, a standard referenced by the I-Codes., and illustrating...

FEMA Flood Resistant Provisions of the International Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of the international codes (including the international building, residential, exiting building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire, swimming pool and spa, private sewage disposal, and code council performance codes) and summaries of changes from the...

Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus, ASTM C518-21

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method providing a rapid means of determining the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is...

Get Rid of Rats and Mice

Author(s)
King County Washington
Organization(s)
King County WA
Publication Date
Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

Is Battery Storage Right for You?

Author(s)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Organization(s)
SMUD
Publication Date
Webpage describing benefits of adding battery storage to homes and an estimation tool.

Winter Storm Safety

Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
Red Cross
Publication Date
Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.

Emergency Water Supply for Firefighting

Author(s)
Boulder County Land Use Department,
Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting Department
Organization(s)
Boulder County
Publication Date
A factsheet that provides information and requirements for emergency water supplies for firefighting in Boulder County, Colorado.

Structural Design Loads for the Home Inspector

Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Article defining structural design loads and ways to calculate them, including dead loads, live loads, soil lateral loads, wind loads, snow loads, earthquake loads, and other loads.

What Makes it Energy Star? Performance Criteria

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Information sheet outlining the criteria for ENERGY STAR qualified, windows, doors, and skylights.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Comparison

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of battery energy storage systems for solar power systems.

ENERGY STAR Certified Storm Windows

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing a listing of ENERGY STAR certified interior and exterior storm windows

Hybrid Inverter Comparison Chart

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of hybrid inverters for solar power systems.

An Integrated Control Method for Supplemental Minisplit Heat Pumps in Existing Homes

Author(s)
Fenaughty Karen,
Martin Eric,
Nigusse Bereket,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
University of Central Florida,
UCF
Publication Date
Technical report describing how the FSEC Energy Research Center explores low-cost space-conditioning upgrades for existing homes by integrating centrally located, high-efficiency ductless mini split heat pumps with older but functional central space conditioning systems, aiming to achieve energy...

Off-Grid Inverter Comparison Chart

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of off-grid inverters for solar power systems.

2018 International Fuel Gas Code - IFGC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2021 International Energy Conservation Code - IECC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...

2021 International Building Code - IBC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to three stories.

2021 International Plumbing Code - IPC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

Termite Infestations

Author(s)
Green Jody
Organization(s)
University of Nebraska - Lincoln,
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
Publication Date
Article describing identification of termite infestations in homes and treatment options.

Selection Process for Replacement Windows

Author(s)
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Organization(s)
National Fenestration Rating Council,
NFRC
Publication Date
Step-by-step guide demonstrating replacement window selection process.

Required Length of Bracing, R602.10.3

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Table in the IRC describing bracing requirements for specified wind speeds and building story locations.

California Energy Commission

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Website homepage of the California Energy Commission.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 Criteria Development

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage recognizing the most efficient products among those that are ENERGY STAR certified.

Energy Saver: Thermostats

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Article by Energy Saver on how to save energy with your thermostat.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Author(s)
New York State
Organization(s)
New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Website of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Pool Volume Calculator

Author(s)
swimmingpool.com
Organization(s)
Swimmingpool.com
Publication Date
Calculator to help in calculating pool volume.

Thermostat Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Guide from Energy Star on smart thermostats and offering some guidance for choosing one.

Solar Pathfinder

Author(s)
Solar Pathfinder
Organization(s)
Solar Pathfinder
Publication Date
Tool determining the most economical and efficient photovoltaic array location and position.

Solmetric SunEye

Author(s)
Solmetric Inc.
Organization(s)
Solmetric Inc.
Publication Date
Handheld solar site analysis tool capturing whole-horizon images for a site and generating shading analysis reports.

Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Homepage for NREL research, support, and deployment information for the safety and health of workers, visitors, the public, the environment, and laboratory assets.

Wind Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Disaster Center,
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
IBHS,
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide describing "wind safe” room as a reinforced area of a home designed to withstand severe windstorms.

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
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...

Find a Fridge or Freezer Recycling Program

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR article on finding a refrigerator or freezer recycling program.

Flip Your Fridge Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Calculator helping users determine cost savings of refrigerator replacement.

Mesothelioma.net

Author(s)
Mesothelioma.net
Organization(s)
Mesothelioma.net
Publication Date
Website providing medical information about malignant mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure.

Washington State Department of Health – Rodents

Author(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Organization(s)
WSDOH
Publication Date
A website providing information on sealing the home against rodents and how to trap rodents once they have made their way into the home.

RETScreen Clean Energy Management Software

Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Software enabling low-carbon planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Building America Program

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
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.