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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 1 - 50 of 116

2015 International Existing Building Code - IEBC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.

9 Recommended Practices for Cold-Climate Ductless Heat Pump Installations

Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Web page describing essential guidelines and recommendations for optimal installation of ductless heat pumps in cold climates, ensuring maximum heating performance and long-term satisfaction for homeowners, supported by research-backed insights and detailed resources.

A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects

Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension,
PennState Extension
Publication Date
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.

About Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

AC Comfort

Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.

Achieving Ducts in Conditioned Space

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing best strategies to bring ductwork on single-story homes with a slab-on-grade foundation in hot, dry climates into the conditioned envelope of the home intending to highlight the pros and cons of multiple ductwork integration strategies, including traditional duct systems in...

Advanced Water Heating Specification

Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Specifications for water heating systems designed to advance higher performing electric and gas heat pump water heaters.

Advanced Water Heating Specification Version 8.0.

Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Specification sheet for residential, commercial, multifamily, and industrial water heaters and heating systems.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
NothernSTAR
Publication Date
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

All About Shade Trees

Author(s)
Huber Jeanne
Organization(s)
This Old House
Publication Date
Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.

An Introduction To PSC Motors

Author(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
Organization(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
Publication Date
Webpage that gives an introduction to PSC motors and their operation.

Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.

Avoid Deep Thermostat Setbacks with Variable Capacity Heat Pumps

Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to improve a variable capacity heat pump's efficiency by not programming a deep setback on the thermostat.

Benefits of Trees

Author(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Publication Date
Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.

Builder's Guide to Cold Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.

Building Energy Efficiency Standards - Title 24

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Website providing information about the Title 24 building energy efficiency standards for the State of California and links to current and past standards including the 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016 standards, etc.

Building Orientation for Optimum Energy

Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
InterACHI
Publication Date
Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Cooling with a Whole-House Fan

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Designing for Floods, BSI-128

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.

Directory of WaterSense Labeled Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing lists of WaterSense-qualified products for home plumbing and irrigation equipment that meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website listing implementation timelines and links to various versions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home national program requirements.

Earth Tubes Exhibit

Author(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition,
Solar World
Publication Date
Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.

Earthquake Safety

Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
American Red Cross
Publication Date
Webpage providing earthquake safety tips including proactive home structure and utility action items.

ECA HVAC Units

Author(s)
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,
Southern California Earthquake Center,
Earthquake Country Alliance
Organization(s)
NEHRP,
FEMA,
Cal OES,
SCEC,
ECA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department

Author(s)
Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department
Organization(s)
Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department
Publication Date
A website with resources for emergency preparedness including videos, guides, and webinars.

Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Web page providing an overview of window coverings such as blinds, shades, shutters, films, and storm windows.

Evaluation of the Thermal and Moisture Performance of Insulating Shades

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Pilet Tyler J,
Mullaly Stephen,
Bauer Eric
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating condensation buildup on windows when using insulating shades.

Evaporative Cooler Tips

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.

FEMA Flood Data Viewers and Geospatial Data

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Online geospatial map with interactive viewer showing flood risk areas and base flood elevations

FEMA Flood Maps

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing and providing links to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, which home owners and builders can use to determine the flood risk of their location.

FEMA National Risk Index: Tsunamis

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.

Flood Cleanup Infographic

Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
This document includes tips for safely and effectively cleaning up a home after a flood. It is available in several languages.

Flood Preparedness

Author(s)
California Department of Water Resources
Organization(s)
DWR
Publication Date
Website providing information to the public about preparing for floods and floods related to fires.

FORTIFIED Home Re-Roofing Checklist - High Wind

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for high wind resistance.

FORTIFIED Home Re-Roofing Checklist - Hurricane

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Checklist providing information about the specific requirements of FORTIFIED Roof™ design and construction standard for re-roofing specific for hurricane resistance.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Williams Randy
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Getty Images

Author(s)
Getty Images
Organization(s)
Getty Images
Publication Date
Commercial website providing images to subscribers.

Guide for Team Leaders to Help Disaster Victims Get Back to a Healthy Home

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
Organization(s)
HUD,
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
OSHA
Publication Date
Guidance from HUD for volunteer team leaders, project managers and supervisors who work in recovery and rebuilding after natural disasters.

Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County: Building America and IECC 2021 Updates

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Antonopoulos Chrissi A,
Margiotta Evan R,
Cragin Molly,
Kaltreider Christian E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report identifying Building America and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code climate zone designations for every county in the United States; where a county's climate zone designation has changed since the 2018 IECC, that change is indicated as well.

Heat Pump Water Heaters in Small Spaces Lab Testing: “The Amazing Shrinking Room”

Author(s)
Larson Sam,
Larson Ben
Organization(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA,
Cascade Engineering Services,
Larson Energy Research
Publication Date
Report describing a laboratory assessment that provides insights into space requirements and venting strategies for heat pump water heaters (HPWH) to enhance retrofit installations and provide actionable guidance for manufacturers, designers, engineers, installers, and owners.