Library | Building America Solution Center

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 201 - 225 of 225

Modeling and Test-and-Rate Methods for Innovative Thermosiphon Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)

Burch Jay,

Shoukas Greg,

Krarti Moncef,

Brandemuhl Michael J

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

University of Colorado,

CU,

University of Colorado-Boulder,

CU Boulder

Publication Date

July, 2006

This paper discusses model validation using data from three thermosiphon systems.

Building America System Research Results - Innovations for High Performance Homes

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

May, 2006

Report providing a summary of key lessons learned from the first ten years of the Building America program and also included a summary of the future challenges that must be met to reach the programs long term performance goals.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures for Existing Homes

Author(s)

Hendron Robert

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

May, 2006

Report provides a proposed set of guidelines for estimating the energy savings achieved by a package of retrofits or an extensive rehabilitation of an existing home.

Building America Residential System Research Results: Achieving 30% Whole House Energy Savings Level in Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates

Author(s)

Building Industry Research Alliance,

Building Science Consortium,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

Davis Energy Group,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions

Organization(s)

BIRA,

BSC,

CARB,

DEG,

FSEC,

IBACOS,

NAHBRC,

NREL

Publication Date

January, 2006

Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Hot-Dry / Mixed-Dry Climate Region on a cost-neutral basis.

Yakama Nation Housing Authority, Adams View: System Retrofit Research Report and Case Study Summary

Author(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Publication Date

November, 2005

Report and case study describing a retrofit project for single family homes in the Pacific Northwest.

Hathaway "Solar Patriot" House: A Case Study in Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Author(s)

Norton Paul,

Hancock Ed,

Barker Greg M,

Reeves Paul

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Mountain Energy Partnership,

Partnership for Resource Conservation

Publication Date

May, 2005

Report detailing the monitored and modeled performance of a solar home outside of Washington DC.

Installing Windows with Foam Sheathing on a Wood-Frame Wall

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

BSC,

NREL

Publication Date

May, 2005

Report with guidance for installing windows with foam sheathing on wood-frame walls.

Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Rudd Armin,

Eng P,

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

February, 2005

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.

Better Duct Systems for Home Heating and Cooling; Building Technologies Program (Brochure)

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

November, 2004

Brochure intended to provide readers with a working knowledge of residential heating and cooling duct systems.

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

Author(s)

Drumheller S Craig,

Wiehagen Joseph

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

November, 2004

Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

Trombe Walls in Low-Energy Buildings: Practical Experiences

Author(s)

Pless Shanti,

Torcellini Paul

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

September, 2004

Technical conference paper discussing real world experience with Trombe walls.

Van Geet Off-Grid Home: An Integrated Approach to Energy Savings

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

August, 2004

Report about a project with successful integration of numerous energy-conservation and renewable-energy features into a beautiful, comfortable, and very energy-efficient off-grid home.

Builder System Performance Package Targeting 30% - 40% Savings in Space Conditioning Energy Use: December 2002 - December 2003

Author(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2004

Report describing the recommended best practices to achieve energy savings without compromising health or safety.

IBACOS Builder System Performance Packages: January 2003--December 2003

Author(s)

Broniek John

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2004

Report presenting system design packages for cold and mixed-humid climates.

The reHABITAT Guide: For Energy- and Resource-Efficient Retrofit Strategies

Author(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2004

Report developed for Habitat for Humanity about lessons learned from demonstration retrofit projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; with building systems consulting and technical assistance provided by Steven Winter Associates.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures, Revision 1

Author(s)

Hendron Robert,

Anderson Ren,

Judkoff Ron,

Christensen Craig B,

Eastment Mark,

Norton Paul,

Reeves Paul,

Hancock Ed

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Partnership for Resource Conservation,

Mountain Energy Partnership,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2004

Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.

Introduction to Buildings Systems Performance: Houses that Work II

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

BSC,

NREL

Publication Date

April, 2004

Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.

Heat your Water with the Sun

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

December, 2003

Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.

Advanced Wall Framing

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

NAHB,

SEI,

ORNL,

NREL

Publication Date

January, 2002

Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Effects of Tilt and Azimuth on Annual Incident Solar Radiation for United States Locations

Author(s)

Christensen Craig B,

Barker Greg M

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Mountain Energy Partnership

Publication Date

April, 2001

Study presenting generalized results regarding the effect of surface orientation on annual incident solar radiation for locations in the United States.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

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

July, 2000

Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Building a Better Trombe Wall

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

December, 1998

Fact sheet providing background and technical information on Trombe wall design

Cooling Your Home Naturally

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

NREL,

DOE

Publication Date

October, 1994

Short report providing tips on how to reduce heat gain and passively cool a home.

Solar Radiation Data Manual for Buildings

Author(s)

Marion William,

Wilcox Stephen

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Document providing incident solar radiation data and window overhang sizing guidance for multiple locations across the U.S.

Novel, Simplified Air Delivery System Design Gets Commercialized

Author(s)

Burkett Lena,

Rapport Ari

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS

Publication Date

August, 0020

Fact sheet describing a novel, simplified air delivery system using a plug-and-play model that features 3-inch diameter flexible ducts, efficient fittings, and a simplified installation process that resulted in successful market engagement through commercialization.