Skip to main content

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 - 100 of 158

WaterSense Labeled Homes Program Home Certification Organization: Home Innovation Research Labs Water Rating Index

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the home certification organization, Home Innovation Research Labs and their requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format as well their compliance with certified Water Rating Index (WRI), organization scope, and information verifiers.

Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the use of cool roofs to reduce heat islands and and benefits and costs.

Residential Toilets

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Resource that differentiates products in the marketplace that meet WaterSense requirements.

WaterSense Labeled Homes Program-Home Certification Organization: RESNET

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Webpage describing the home certification organization, RESNET and its requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format as well as the scope, information verifiers, and partners of the program.

WaterSense Homes Specification Web Page

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Web page providing links or specifications for homes to be labeled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.

Guide for Team Leaders to Help Disaster Victims Get Back to a Healthy Home

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
Organization(s)
HUD,
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
OSHA
Publication Date
Guidance from HUD for volunteer team leaders, project managers and supervisors who work in recovery and rebuilding after natural disasters.

WaterSense Labeled Homes Program: Ensuring Homes Deliver on Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how the Environmental Protection Agency ensures labeled homes meet the WaterSense efficiency requirements for whole house water management including a list of requirements and a data chart.

What Makes it Energy Star? Performance Criteria

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Information sheet outlining the criteria for ENERGY STAR qualified, windows, doors, and skylights.

ENERGY STAR Certified Storm Windows

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing a listing of ENERGY STAR certified interior and exterior storm windows

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 Criteria Development

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage recognizing the most efficient products among those that are ENERGY STAR certified.

Find a Fridge or Freezer Recycling Program

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR article on finding a refrigerator or freezer recycling program.

Flip Your Fridge Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Calculator helping users determine cost savings of refrigerator replacement.

Landscaping Tips

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide describing landscaping tips for healthy and regionally-based gardens, including maintenance, mulching, water efficiency, and plant resources.

Urinals

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA WaterSense guidance on urinals.

What are the Connections between Mercury and CFLs?

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A website explaining the connection between using compact fluorescent lightbulbs and the amount of mercury released into the environment.

Cleaning Up a Broken CFL

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A website explaining how to quickly clean up a broken compact fluorescent lightbulb.

Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website describing the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule that establishes requirements to reduce lead exposure for firms and individuals performing renovations that might disturb painted surfaces in buildings and homes built pre 1978 that might be occupied by children.

Choosing Wood-Burning Appliances

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA-certified wood-burning appliances for home heating for a range of budgets.

New Source Performance Standards

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA federal regulations regarding stationary sources of air pollution.

WaterSense Technical Evaluation Process for Approving Home Certification Methods

Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Document on the EPA WaterSense webpage describing the technical evaluation process used by EPA WaterSense to authorize home certification organizations to certify homes through the WaterSense program.

WaterSense - Find a WaterSense Home Verifier

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have successfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) through a Home Certification Organization (HCO).

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 - Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.

Map of Radon Zones

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.

Lead

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA webpage on lead in homes.

Expert Home Improvements

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR's Expert Home Improvements webpage.

Mold

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings.

Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA guide on responsible appliance disposal for consumers.

Burn Wise

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
The EPA Burn Wise program promotes the importance of burning the right wood in the right way from the right sources with mission to protect human health and the environment.

Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.

Radon

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.

Clothes Washers Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR clothes washers key product criteria eligibility and energy performance metrics.

Indoor AirPlus

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.

WaterSense - Product Search

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Website providing a searchable list of products that meet the EPA WaterSense criteria for water savings.

Pool Pumps Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Table of criteria for pool pumps to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.

Indoor AirPlus Program Documents

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.

Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR clothes dryer buying guidance for consumers.

Light Bulb Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR lightbulb criteria.

WaterSense Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Resource that provides guidance when choosing products that meet WaterSense program requirements.

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.