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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 1001 - 1050 of 1873

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Install Window Shutters

Author(s)
Knowles III Hal S,
Ruppert Kathleen C,
Lenfesty Karla A,
Halderman Barbara
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Installed Performance of Heat Pump Water Heaters in a Cold Climate

Author(s)
Cautley Dan,
Gries Kevin,
Cacko Dianna,
Margolies Justin
Organization(s)
Slipstream
Publication Date
Report describing the performance, economics, space heating impacts, and user satisfaction of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in the upper Midwest, based on a field study and survey of participants in the MECA HPWH incentive program.

Installer's Guide - Ductless Heat Pumps for Cold Climates

Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing techniques for installing ductless heat pumps in cold climate locations.

Installing and Maintaining Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)
Otterbein Roy
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Article describing what evaporative coolers are, how they work, different types, performance, where they are appropriate, and how to install and maintain them.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Insulation: A Guide to Proper Installation

Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.

Insurance Difference Between a Hip and Gable Roof

Author(s)
Colucci Robert
Organization(s)
RTC Insurance Advisors
Publication Date
Article describing the insurance savings of a home with a hip roof versus a gable roof from the perspective of an insurance advisor.

Integrated Design Process - A Guideline for Sustainable and Solar-Optimized Building Design

Author(s)
Sol*id*ar Planungswerkstatt Architects and Engineers,
Architeckten B+S,
Lohnert Gunter,
Dalkowski Andreas,
Sutter Werner
Organization(s)
International Energy Agency,
IEA
Publication Date
Guide describing the use of a collaborative, multidisciplinary process that considers and optimizes the building as an entire system including its technical equipment and surroundings for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective construction and operation over the building’s entire lifespan.

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Interaction between Heat Pump Water Heaters or Other Internal Point Source Loads and a Central Heating System

Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
Metzger Cheryn E,
McIntosh Joshua A,
Petersen Joseph M
Organization(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report describing the objective evaluation of space conditioning interactions between heat pump water heaters and home heating systems during winter 2016-2017, revealing a smaller than anticipated impact on space conditioning loads.

Interactive Walk-Through of a Residential Heat Pump Water Heater Installation in Massachusetts

Author(s)
D+R Learn,
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships,
Home Works Energy Inc.,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
This webpage provides an interactive walk-through of the installation of a heat pump water heater in a home in Massachusetts, including how-to videos of the installation, video interviews with the homeowners, installer, and utility program partners, and visual tours of the home before and after...

Interference Effects on Wind Loads on Low-Rise Hip Roof Buildings

Author(s)
Ahmad Shakeel,
Kumar Krishen
Organization(s)
Aligarh Muslim University,
University of Roorkee
Publication Date
Article describing how the configuration of surrounding buildings affects the wind loads on a hip roof in a low-rise building.

Interior Spray Foam, BSI-116

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Webpage describing current and past versions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), establishing a baseline for energy efficiency with performance standards for building envelopes, mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial...

Introduction to the National Seismic Hazard Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey,
Earthquake Hazards Program
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Website providing a probabilistic map of the expected number of damaging earthquakes around the U.S.

Introduction to the National Seismic Hazard Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Website providing a probabilistic map of the expected number of damaging earthquakes around the U.S.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

Inward Drive – Outward Drying, BSI-061

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering reservoir claddings, back ventilation and vapor throttles.

IoT-Based Comfort Control and Fault Diagnostics System for Energy-Efficient Homes

Author(s)
O'Neill Zheng,
Tao Yang,
Jin Wen,
Kimball Richard,
Ningxuan Wen,
Taasevigen Danny,
Xiao Hai
Organization(s)
Texas A&M University,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research report discussing the reduction of HVAC energy consumption to meet U.S. greenhouse gas targets and DOE's energy-efficient building goals. It introduces iComfort, an IoT-based system for optimizing home comfort and energy savings.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

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.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

Author(s)
Springer David
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Is There a Mouse in the House? Eliminate Mice with IPM

Author(s)
Pennsylvania State University
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University,
PennState Extension
Publication Date
Article explaining how to use integrated pest management to choose methods of pest control that are safe and effective.

Is Your Home Ready for an Earthquake?

Author(s)
Yeats Robert
Organization(s)
Oregon State University
Publication Date
Article describing dozens of ideas on how to retrofit a home so it is more earthquake ready.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Just Right and Airtight, BSI-053

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing air leakage in buildings.

Keep Safe: A Guide for Resilient Housing Design in Island Communities

Author(s)
Enterprise Community Partners
Organization(s)
Enterprise Community Partners
Publication Date
Guide describing tools for island and hurricane-prone communities on redevelopment and rehabilitation of homes to prepare for future natural disasters.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather

Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
NCEH,
CDC
Publication Date
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.