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.
This article addresses the issue of undercutting bedroom doors to provide return airflow from bedrooms resulting in risks such as insufficient airflow, pressure imbalance, energy-inefficient loss of conditioned air, condensation within the wall, and moisture durability issues.
Factsheet describing the importance of system charging, superheat and subcooling.
This report describes how twenty homes were tested and monitored in the Zone 2 climate of Houston, Texas, U.S.A., to evaluate the humidity control performance and operating cost of six different integrated dehumidification and ventilation systems that could be applied by production homebuilders.
Information sheet about proper ventilation and air sealing.
This study uses a computer simulation approach to examine the energy and indoor air quality implications of passive and hybrid ventilation systems.
NAFA’s user guide for understanding ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012.
Information sheet about transfer ducts and grilles.
In this project aimed to better understand the current usage of TRVs by key market players in steam and hot water heating and to conduct limited experiments on the effectiveness of new and old TRVs as a means of controlling space temperatures and reducing heating fuel consumption.
Article about installing balanced ventilation systems.
The Technician's Guide equips practitioners with the knowledge to properly implement all of the measurement procedures required in the HVAC QI Specification.
Document on the development of two simple in-home efficiency test methods that can be used by technicians, researchers, or interested homeowners to verify the correct operation and energy efficiency of a homes air conditioning and heating equipment.
Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.
Report providing performance results of a home's heat pump water heater and whole-house dehumidifier over a six-month period.
Information sheet offering general recommendations on supplemental humidity control and outlines viable system configurations.
This document covers a description of the need and applied solutions for supplemental dehumidification in warm-humid climates, especially for energy efficient homes where the sensible cooling load has been dramatically reduced.
Report describing the equipment selection of a split system air conditioner and furnace for an example house in Chicago, Illinois, as well as a heat pump system for an example house in Orlando, Florida.
This Strategy Guideline covers the pros and cons of compact air distribution systems and the decision criteria that must be considered early in the whole-house design process.
Report about the impact on the loads when common safety factors are applied to the load calculation process using two houses that meet the 2009 IECC prescriptive path modeled as the accurate baseline.
Proposed HVAC filter labeling standard and underlying analysis by the California Energy Commission.
Website with consumer information about duct cleaning.
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.
Article describing how replacing PSC motors with ECMs can boost bottom line and improve customer comfort.
Website with product and standards information about ceiling fans.
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.
Paper covering a parametric study of foundation heat exchanger-based ground source heat pump systems for several house configurations in a range of European locations, with an emphasis on determining feasible combinations.
Presentation providing information about correctly installing ductwork in new and existing homes.
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.
Report providing information on mechanical, air-cleaning devices for ventilation when conventional methods are not warranted.
Summary of available information and resources on residential air cleaners, including HVAC filters.
Document presenting results from testing HVAC duct system design incorporating a high-side supply register.
Information sheet describing refrigerant charge.
Information sheet about ventilation approaches.
Research study using modeling to determine optimal combination(s) of components/pumps, high efficiency heat sources, plumbing configurations and controls that result in the highest overall efficiency for a hydronic system.
This report investigates whether mini-split heat pumps can live up to their potential for one market segment: multifamily retrofits.
Research study outlining results of monitoring a low temperature heat pump.
The purpose of this measure guideline on ventilation cooling is to provide information on a cost effective solution for reducing cooling system energy and demand in homes located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates.
Report describing solutions for supplemental dehumidification in warm-humid climates.
Document illustrating guidelines for efficient installation of interior duct systems in new housing.
Report about evaporative condensers, to provide information on a cost-effective solution for energy and demand savings in homes with cooling loads.