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 2069
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.
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Software tool available free online that can help calculate heating and cooling requirements to accurately size HVAC equipment in as little as 15 minutes.
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Description
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Description
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Description
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of hybrid inverters for solar power systems.
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the status of a central hydronic heating system project in multifamily housing at the conclusion of the 20112012 heating season.
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
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)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Advanced Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining results from a 2005 hygrothermal pilot study in the South.
Organization(s)
SMACNA
Publication Date
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
A news article documenting the milestone of the FORTIFED homes program surpassing 18,000 homes.
Organization(s)
Niagara Frontier Publications
Publication Date
Description
Recommendations from IBHS describing how to safely use generators during winter storm power outages.
Organization(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Publication Date
Description
ICC-ES Evaluation Report reviewing proprietary steel shear wall panels developed by Simpson Strong-Tie Company to resist vertical and lateral loads in walls resulting from wind or earthquakes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Publication Date
Description
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.