Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.
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 901 - 950 of 1873
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing for homeowners how to protect their homes from flooding, 3rd Edition.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing FEMA documents and foundation tips for floodproofing homes.
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire mitigation guidelines from the University of California outlining how to mitigate fire risk for attached decks.
Organization(s)
SSC,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
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)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Website for consumers describing heat pump water heater technology and linking to retailers and installers.
Organization(s)
HWS NW
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing how to choose energy-efficient water heaters, including heat pump models, with tips on installation, rebates, and incentives for maximizing energy savings.
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.
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)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the impact of stack effect on building performance, highlighting how pressure differences caused by temperature and height affect air infiltration and exfiltration, and detailing strategies like compartmentalization and distributed mechanical systems to manage airflow and maintain...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the stack effect in buildings.
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)
Home & Garden
Publication Date
Description
Resource that explains how water softeners work to reduce scale.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR webpage describing how a heat pump water heater works.
Organization(s)
Rocky Mountain Institute,
RMI
Publication Date
Description
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Description
Installation tips and product suggestions for mounting hardware.
Organization(s)
Green Building Solutions
Publication Date
Description
A report describing how to build a high-performance affordable house to achieve 30% whole house energy savings in the mixed-humid climate region.
Organization(s)
Washington Post
Publication Date
Description
Article from Washington Post on passive cooling measures for homes during extreme heat.
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.
Organization(s)
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to use radiator inlet orifices optimize two-pipe steam heating systems.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to partially install a heat pump in a manufactured home in the manufactured home factory.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding and soffit coverings in high wind and coastal areas.
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Description
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.
How To Shut Off Your Natural Gas In An Emergency – Learn How To Locate And Shut Off Your Natural Gas
Organization(s)
SoCalGas
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing how to locate and manually shut off natural gas service at the meter.
Organization(s)
FTC
Publication Date
Description
FTC website explaining the usefulness of the EnergyGuide label when shopping for home appliances.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist for verifying FORTIFIED levels and documentation needed.
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Publication Date
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.
Organization(s)
City of Los Angeles
Publication Date
Description
Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more resistant to earthquakes.
Organization(s)
Green Smart Links
Publication Date
Description
Includes several good how-to videos for anchoring furniture to different wall types
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Fact Sheet describing the need for supplemental dehumidification, dehumidifier configuration options, and design considerations.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report by the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team on damages due to Hurricane Irma which struck Florida in September 2017, and recommendations for construction for future disaster resistance and preparedness.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina
Organization(s)
FBC
Publication Date
Description
Article presenting the 2008 update on the 2006 details on when required hurricane mitigation retrofits are required and the cost cap on required hurricane mitigation retrofits.
Organization(s)
Florida Building Code
Publication Date
Description
Code describing the requirements for existing site-built single-family homes to receive roof-to-wall retrofits when re-roofing.
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.
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)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.