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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 101 - 150 of 324

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of approximately 35,000 homes every year.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website listing implementation timelines and links to various versions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home national program requirements.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Homepage for DOE's Zero Energy Ready Homes program.
Author(s)
Zero Energy Ready Home,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
ZERH,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Checklist for the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements Mandatory Requirement 7 (Renewable Ready).
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Selkowitz Stephen,
Dingus Olivia G,
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing a market assessment conducted on new home builders' window purchasing practices revealing insights to inform the development of thin triple-pane windows, utilizing a center pane of thin glass and krypton gas fill to achieve the performance of standard triple-pane windows...
Author(s)
Prahl Duncan,
Rudd Armin
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying two barriers that limit the ability of builders to explore opportunities for higher levels of energy efficiency in housing: the use of duct system materials that inherently achieve airtightness and are right-sized for low-load houses, and, the ability to air seal fire separation...
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.
Author(s)
Efficient Window Coverings
Organization(s)
Building Green,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Website sponsored by DOE to provide consumers with intelligent and unbiased guidance on the best window covering for your climate, your needs, and your windows.
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing an overview of window coverings such as blinds, shades, shutters, films, and storm windows.
Author(s)
Tabares-Velasco Paulo Cesar
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.
Author(s)
Britt Michelle,
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Makela Erin,
Schneider Elaine,
Kaufman Ned
Organization(s)
Kaufman Heritage Conservation,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a resource to help contractors renovate historic houses, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Adams Karen T,
Hefty Marye G,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE's consumer information about energy and laundry.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article by Energy Saver on how to save energy with your thermostat.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
Baker Julie D,
Brand Larry,
Wells J,
Yee Shannon
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
MEEA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report using pre- and post-system upgrade data to analyze the energy savings associated with Iowa's HVAC SAVE program for space heating.
Author(s)
Curcija Charlie,
Yazdanian Mehry,
Kohler Christian,
Hart Robert,
Mitchell Robin,
Vidanovic Simon
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.
Author(s)
Casey Sean,
Booten Chuck
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting a simple starting point to determine the most cost-effective Energy Savings Measure Packages (ESMP) for existing homes to achieve 15% and 30% savings in 37 locations across the United States.
Author(s)
Fernandez Nick,
Wang Weimin,
Alvine Kyle J,
Katipamula Srinivas
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for finding all the information you need to start shopping for ENERGY STAR certified products, including product details, rebates, and retailers near you.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Informational guide describing the benefits, functionality, and cost savings of ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting incentives.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Arena Lois
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the evaluation and selection of ventilation systems for homes retrofitted for energy aesthetic and health/safety improvements in Las Vegas.
Author(s)
Arena Lois,
Vijayakumar Gayathri
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing CARB's analysis of Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs ordinance in the existing home market.
Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.
Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Fang Xia
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.
Author(s)
Brand Larry,
Kerr Ryan,
Rowley Patricia
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
MEEA,
CNT Energy,
Elevate Energy,
Future Energy Enterprises,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document reviewing four cold-climate northern Illinois energy efficiency retrofit programs to identify practices, tools, and approaches to streamline and reduce costs of comprehensive retrofits, and to improve the consistency of audit and retrofit delivery practices across different programs.
Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
CARB,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Case study on exhaust ventilation and corresponding outdoor air intake strategies implemented in high-performance new-construction multifamily buildings.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.
Author(s)
Kunkle Rick,
Gordon Andrew,
Lubliner Michael,
Howard Luke
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study documenting market-ready energy solutions to improve the efficiency of new affordable housing in the marine climate of Washington State.
Author(s)
Norton Paul,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
In this report, BSC seeks to research and report on the field monitoring of the performance of in-situ supplemental dehumidification systems in low-energy, high performance, homes in a hot-humid climate.
Author(s)
Maxwell Sean,
Berger David,
Zaluga M
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the evaluation of four different ventilation strategies for providing make-up air in high-performance, new construction multifamily buildings in the Northeast, emphasizing the challenges posed by increasing airtightness standards and the variability of system performance...
Author(s)
Maxwell Sean,
Berger David,
Zuluaga Marc
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research that helps inform best practices for air-sealing multifamily buildings in the Northeast.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how evaporative coolers work and how to maintain them.
Author(s)
Mosiman Garrett,
Wagner Terence L,
Schirber Tom
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
U.S. Department of Labor,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.