Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article describing products that can enhance the efficiency and safety of clothes dryer vents.
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 1 - 50 of 83
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Technical fact sheet describing ways to construct asphalt shingle roofs to be more resistant to high winds and hurricanes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing ventilation system design, including a central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system, made up of a 6-inch outdoor air intake duct connected to the return side of the air handler with a fan cycling control to make sure the fan runs a programmed minimum amount of time.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the characteristics that make for a successful coastal residential building, including design and construction recommendations; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
TRI
Publication Date
Description
Installation manual describing proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information about dense pack, cellulose insulation.
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing an introduction to the NEHRP recommended seismic provisions for new buildings and other structures.
Organization(s)
Genteq,
Regal Beloit,
Regal Rexnord
Publication Date
Description
Presentation describing the history of ECM motors, an overview of ECM motor technology, and a lesson on the installation of ECM motors.
Organization(s)
National Association of Home Builders,
NAHB,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Description
The objective of this research was to quantify the field performance of wood-frame walls clad with a variety of common claddings in a mixed-humid climate.
Organization(s)
University of Western Australia,
Auburn University
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.
Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, Standard 90.1-2010, ANSI/ASHRAE
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
A standard providing minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings that are not low-rise residential buildings.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
J. Neymark & Associates
Publication Date
Description
Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Report on the performance of range hood exhaust fans.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.
Organization(s)
Florida Building Code
Publication Date
Description
Map of the wind-borne debris region of Florida
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing foundation design criteria, foundation types suitable for coastal environments, and addressing foundations for high-elevation coastal areas (e.g., bluff areas); also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding
Publication Date
Description
Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.
Organization(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Washington State Department of Health describing how to use backup generators properly to not overload during a power outage.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about air barriers.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing insulation and air-sealing details.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report containing 37 fact sheets that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.
Organization(s)
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Publication Date
Description
A guide that summarizes building materials and design considerations for increasing wildfire-resistivity of homes in areas that are prone to wildfires.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the function of housewrap, its attributes, and common problems associated with its use, including housewrap vs. building paper and housewrap installation; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing effects of planning, siting, and design decisions on coastal home costs, including initial, operating, and long-term costs; risk determination; and the effect on costs of meeting and exceeding code and NFIP design and construction requirements; also published in FEMA P-499...
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Publication Date
Description
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the concept of load paths and the important connections in a wind uplift load path; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,
Florida HERO,
Energy Smart Home Plans,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting a cost effective method that was used by four builders in the Gainesville, FL area to construct interior ducts in over a dozen site built homes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet defining “lowest floor,” identifying common construction practices that are violations of NFIP regulations, and discussing benefits of exceeding the NFIP minimum building elevation requirements; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
If your kitchen has a powerful exhaust fan, it may be pulling air down your chimney or water-heater flue.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing important roof-to-wall and wall-to-foundation connection details for masonry construction in coastal areas, including load paths, building materials, and reinforcement; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how typical wall moisture barrier systems work, the moisture barrier system and common problems associated with them; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Organization(s)
University of Waterloo,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about mold mitigation.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the interactions, both positive and negative, between common green building practices and the robustness of residential buildings to withstand natural hazards.
Organization(s)
NFRC
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a procedure for determining fenestration attachment product U-factors.
Organization(s)
NFRC
Publication Date
Description
Standard for determining fenestration attachment product SHGC and visible transmittance.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing guidance on alternative building materials and techniques in coastal environments, including Engineered Wood Products, SIPs, ICFs, Prefabricated Shear Walls and Moment Frames, Sprayed Closed-Cell Foam Insulation, Advanced Wall Framing, and Modular Houses; also published in FEMA...
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Description
Report providing quick reference guide information to help a family prepare for hurricane season, including seven steps to a wind resistant home, a wind inspection checklist, and how to find a contractor.
Organization(s)
Green Seal
Publication Date
Description
Standards for paints and coatings.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Paper examining the monitored performance of four newly constructed near zero energy homes in Florida.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing basic information about pile design and installation, including pile types, sizes and lengths, layout, installation methods, bracing, field cutting, connections, and verifying capacities; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.