Organization(s)
American Lung Association
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining important factors for homeowners to be aware of regarding healthy air in homes.
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 102
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2009 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.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the energy performance of the 2011 EVHA winners and to align the EVHA program with the BA program.
Organization(s)
Earth Advantage
Publication Date
Description
A guide about the above code residential home certification called Earth Advantage and required and optional measures available to meet the point requirements for certification.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 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...
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
Description
A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2012 Publication.
Organization(s)
ICC,
NSSA
Publication Date
Description
The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare relative to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article providing steps to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of the home.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer and contractor information about building codes and regulations for solar water heating systems.
Organization(s)
NW Seismic
Publication Date
Description
A website containing a video series by NW Seismic illustrating how a seismic retrofit should be done and ways they are done incorrectly.
Organization(s)
Building a Safer Florida Inc.
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing changes made to the 2010 Florida Building Code with regards to wind design loads and requirements.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...
Organization(s)
AHRI
Publication Date
Description
Online database with efficiency information about residential HVAC systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Description
Expert meeting identifying installation practices that provide the best installed efficiency for residential gas furnaces, explain how AFUE and field efficiency can differ, and investigate the impact of installation practices on the efficiency and long-term durability of the furnace.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Expert meeting describing meeting details for recommendations for applying water heaters in combination space and domestic water heating systems.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Field manual describing measures to reduce potential hazards and damages caused by and to nonstructural components of a building such as HVAC, appliances, lighting, windows, and furniture during an earthquake.
FEMA P-259, Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Atkins Global,
URS Group,
Dewberry
Publication Date
Description
Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.
Organization(s)
ATC,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing retrofit measures intended to significantly reduce damage and increase occupant safety for existing buildings.
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
Fraunhofer CSE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study evaluating a low-cost and scalable way to reduce heating energy consumption using the energy-saving features of programmable thermostats (i.e., automatic daytime and nighttime setbacks).
Organization(s)
Colorado State Forest Service,
CSFS
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire construction guidelines from the Colorado State Forest Service focusing on site design and building materials to mitigate damage to homes in wildfire-prone areas.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods to manage moisture, rainwater, and vapor in basements and crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Tile Roofing Institute
Publication Date
Description
Manual for proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles for the Florida market.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
NDSU Extension
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how to install a frost-protected shallow foundation.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.
Organization(s)
Arborilogical Services,
Arborilogical
Publication Date
Description
Article describing tree preservation during the construction process.
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing detailed selection and installation instructions for heat pump water heaters.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about heat pump water heater modeling using EnergyPlus.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering control of hydrostatic pressure in wall assemblies.
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
Fraunhofer CSE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study investigating the factors influencing consumer adoption of HEDs and evaluating the resulting electricity consumption.
Organization(s)
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report on a project that enhanced the HWSIM distribution system model to more accurately model pipe heat transfer.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.
Organization(s)
ARIES,
Levy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report evaluating the relative effectiveness of various control and distribution strategies to improve hydronic space heating performance in existing low-rise multifamily buildings
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Presentation on Improving Air-Conditioner and Heat Pump Modeling.