Skip to main content

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 1401 - 1450 of 1873

Author(s)
German Alea,
Hoeschele Marc
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report evaluating mechanical AC precooling strategies in homes as a method for improving the load factor by shifting cooling operation from on-peak to off-peak hours.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet educating homeowners on the importance of residential safe rooms, including their cost and how to register a safe room with local officials.
Author(s)
City of Portland,
State of Oregon
Organization(s)
City of Portland,
State of Oregon
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resources for seismic retrofits for builders and homeowners as well as city permit requirements from the City of Portland OR.
Author(s)
North Carolina Solar Center
Organization(s)
North Carolina State University
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information on residential solar hot water systems.
Author(s)
City of Burnsville
Organization(s)
City of Burnsville
Publication Date
Description
Brochure detailing the guidelines, recommendations, and preferences of the City of Burnsville for citizens installing solar photovoltaics.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Homepage for ENERGY STAR’s windows, skylights, and doors program providing information for consumers and links to product directories.
Author(s)
U.S. Resiliency Council
Organization(s)
USRC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the USRC, which "brings an unparalleled level of capability to the mission of improving community resilience in the built environment."
Author(s)
Green Builder Media
Organization(s)
Green Builder Media
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resilient housing articles that relate to codes, including webinars, training, and guest articles.
Author(s)
Kashuba Scott D,
Kuzik Mark D,
Hatzinikolas Michael A
Organization(s)
Canadian Masonry Research Institute,
CMPA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.
Author(s)
Earle Lieko,
Sparn Bethany
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the results of laboratory testing of 20 advanced power strip products.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to anchor home appliances and protect from seismic damages.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A retrofit sheet providing information on elevating and securing water heaters to protect against damage during a flood.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A guide on how to anchor fuel tanks to avoid damage from flooding and seismic events to the home by using straps and solid concrete slabs.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A brochure educating homeowners on how to install self-locking devices on cabinets, drawers and doors, including child-proof latches and drawer locks.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing flashing of roof penetrations to make a home more resistant to high winds, hurricanes, and rainwater intrusion.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet providing homeowners with an overview of approaches for flashing and sealing roof penetrations to help discussion with a roofing contractor.
Author(s)
Anesi Jen
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News,
ACHR News
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how replacing permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors with electronically commutated motors (ECM) can boost bottom line for HVAC contractors as well as improve customer comfort and satisfaction.
Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Description
Software enabling low-carbon planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E,
Goyal Siddharth,
Baechler Michael C
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
This research paper outlines residential HVAC advanced controls and sensors. It includes a technology review, applications, maintenance and commissioning, occupant behavior and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies for advanced controls for residential HVAC.
Author(s)
Fischel Ben,
Steffensen Sean
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC
Publication Date
Description
This report discusses proposed updates to the pool pumps and motors, and portable electric spas standards in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601 to 1609). These proposed updates are part of the 2012 Appliance Efficiency Rulemaking, Phase I...
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.
Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Huggins Jim,
Long Steven,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation,
SRCC,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Description
Document discussing changes in testing the annual performance ratings for solar water heaters.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.
Author(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Organization(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about how to prevent rodent entry in homes.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for the use of roofing underlayment as an enhanced secondary water barrier in coastal environments and optional installation methods; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Fisette Paul
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the importance of proper roof and deck flashing, and typical and enhanced flashing techniques for coastal homes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Recovery advisory guide providing guidance on existing code requirements as well as recommend best practices for attachment design, installation, and maintenance of rooftop solar panels to increase panel wind resistance in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria.
Author(s)
Energy Saver,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing an overview of room-level air conditioning systems such as window units and mini-splits.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA information on safe room funding to regional governments.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A CD guide intended to help communities mitigate damage or loss from tornadoes and other extremewind events, and provide public information resources for conveying the importance of safe room construction.