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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 1051 - 1100 of 2069

Author(s)
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.
Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
Borchelt Gregg J,
Bryja Jim,
Kjorlien Bill
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Publication Date
Description
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.
Author(s)
Farrar-Nagy Sara,
Anderson Ren,
Hancock C E,
Reeves Paul
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.
Author(s)
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Author(s)
Cutler Dylan,
Winkler Jon,
Kruis Neal,
Christensen Craig B,
Brandemuhl Michael J
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
University of Colorado,
CU
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting improved air conditioner (AC) and heat pump (HP) modeling methods in the context of whole-building simulation tools.
Author(s)
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Author(s)
Brand Larry,
Baker Julie D,
Yee Shannon
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the impacts that common installation practices and age- induced equipment degradation may have on the installed performance of natural gas furnaces, as measured by steady-state efficiency and AFUE.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.
Author(s)
Rempel Alexandra,
Danis Jackson,
Rempel Alan,
Fowler Michael,
Mishra Sandipan
Organization(s)
Applied Energy,
National Science Foundation,
NSF
Publication Date
Description
Study using simulations to understand the impact that shading and natural ventilation would have had on the survivability of non-air-conditioned buildings during the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest.
Author(s)
Kang Bhujon,
Lutz-Carillo Sky
Organization(s)
University of Texas
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.
Author(s)
California Air Resources Board,
California Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.
Author(s)
Scientific Certification Systems
Organization(s)
SCS
Publication Date
Description
Standard supporting indoor air quality performance by producers, purchasers and policy makers to improve the environmental performance of products and services.
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Mullen Nasim A,
Singer Brett C,
Walker Iain S
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.
Author(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Organization(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Publication Date
Description
Article describing excess flow valves installed on gas lines to shut-off natural gas flow to a home in the event that a gas line is severed due to an earthquake, natural disaster, earthquake, etc.
Author(s)
Southern California Gas Company
Organization(s)
SoCalGas
Publication Date
Description
Webpage detailing how to purchase and install the correct shut-off valve for homes in California, including differences between earthquake and excess flow valves and how to install each.
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
Author(s)
Knowles III Hal S,
Ruppert Kathleen C,
Lenfesty Karla A,
Halderman Barbara
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
Description
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.
Author(s)
Cautley Dan,
Gries Kevin,
Cacko Dianna,
Margolies Justin
Organization(s)
Slipstream
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing techniques for installing ductless heat pumps in cold climate locations.
Author(s)
Otterbein Roy
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article describing what evaporative coolers are, how they work, different types, performance, where they are appropriate, and how to install and maintain them.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.
Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.
Author(s)
Colucci Robert
Organization(s)
RTC Insurance Advisors
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the insurance savings of a home with a hip roof versus a gable roof from the perspective of an insurance advisor.
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
Description
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.