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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 51 - 86 of 86

Preliminary Performance Evaluation of a Near Zero Energy Home in Gainesville, Florida

Author(s)
Hoak David,
Chandra Subrato,
Martin Eric,
Parker Danny S,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report reviewing the design of a net zero energy home in Gainesville, Florida and then focusing on the first six months of energy performance of the project home during the second half of 2008.

Energy Impacts of Various Residential Mechanical Ventilation Strategies

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Gu Lixing,
Wichers Michael,
Vieira Robin K
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Document comparing simulation results from a modified version of the EnergyGauge program to include various HVAC runtime strategies.

Research Results from A Few Alternate Methods of Interior Duct Systems in Factory Built Housing Located In the Hot Humid Climate

Author(s)
Moyer Neil,
Stroer Dennis,
Hoak David,
McIlvaine Janet,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Calcs Plus
Publication Date
Document presenting results from testing prototype HVAC duct system designs that would locate the entire length of duct work within the air and thermal barriers of the building envelope. These include one that incorporated a high-side supply register, one that utilized a single soffit located within...

Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Emission Rates in New Manufactured and Site-Built Houses, RR-0803

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Hodgson Alfred T,
Beal David,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing concentrations of 54 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ventilation rates that were measured in four new manufactured houses over 2 - 9.5 months following installation and in seven new site built houses 1 - 2 months after completion.

How Energy Efficient are Modern Dishwashers?

Author(s)
Hoak David,
Parker Danny S,
Hermelink Andreas H
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.

NightCool: A Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Hermelink Andreas H,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report about an experimental evaluation has been conducted on a night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates.

Pilot Evaluation of Energy Savings from Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Hoak David,
Cummings Jamie E
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.

Energy Efficient Low-Income Housing Program: PIER Final Project Report

Author(s)
ADM Associates,
California Energy Commission,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
CEC,
LBNL,
FSEC
Publication Date
Research project addressing low-cost options that reduce monthly energy costs and improve the quality of life by enhancing comfort levels in low-income homes.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient 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
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.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Effect of Residential Ventilation Techniques for Hot and Humid Climates on Indoor Concentrations and Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds

Author(s)
Hodgson Alfred T,
Moyer Neil,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.

Toward Simple, Affordable Zero Energy Houses

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Beal David,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Paper describing testing for the first of a series of six near net-zero-energy test houses, using the results to work towards the construction of a true net-zero-energy house.

Design and Construction of Interior Duct System

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David,
Fairey Philip W
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Cooling Related Performance of Finished and Unfinished Metal Roofing Systems

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Discussion of Strategies for Mounting Photovoltaic Arrays on Rooftops

Author(s)
Barkaszi Stephen F,
Dunlop James P
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
A research paper exploring the installation and mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops and the challenges faced by system designers and installers.

Cool Neighborhoods: The Measurement of Small Scale Heat Islands

Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Vieira Robin K
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ECEEE
Publication Date
Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

Measured and Simulated Performance of Reflective Roofing Systems in Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Huang Yu Joe,
Konopacki Steven,
Gartland Lisa,
Gu Lixing,
Parker Danny S,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Study investigating measured cooling energy savings in homes across the U.S. from the installation of roofing with higher solar reflectance.

Measured Impacts of Air Conditioner Condenser Shading

Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Parker Danny S,
Barkaszi Stephen F
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Paper describing energy savings in space cooling from shading condenser units.

Energy-Efficient Florida Home Building, Third Printing

Author(s)
Vieira Robin K,
Sheinkopf Kenneth G,
Sonne Jeffrey K
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Document talking about the topic Energy-Efficient Florida Home Building.

Energy-Efficient Florida Home Building

Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sheinkopf Kenneth G,
Vieira Robin K
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Manual describing energy efficient building, design, and marketing strategies for Florida home builders.

Cooling with Ventilation

Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Houston Michael M,
Fairey Philip W
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.