Library

Website providing resources for seismic retrofits for builders and homeowners as well as city permit requirements from the City of Portland OR.

Brochure with information on residential solar hot water systems.

Brochure detailing the guidelines, recommendations, and preferences of the City of Burnsville for citizens installing solar photovoltaics.

A student manual for containing information on residential sprinkler systems.

Resource that differentiates products in the marketplace that meet WaterSense requirements.

Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.

DOE report characterizing the installed base of windows and window coverings, and how users operate window coverings in order to enable precise quantification of energy savings.

Homepage for ENERGY STAR’s windows, skylights, and doors program providing information for consumers and links to product directories.

Website describing the USRC, which "brings an unparalleled level of capability to the mission of improving community resilience in the built environment."

Report providing architects, designers, and homeowners with information to make house plans useful for constructing a more wind resilient structure.

Website providing resilient housing articles that relate to codes, including webinars, training, and guest articles.

Report describing the testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.

Webpage with guidance document detailing voluntary interim guidelines for conducting home energy ratings on multifamily residential buildings.

Presentation describing RESNET grading criteria for insulation installation.

Resource to help builders better understand the WaterSense requirements for labeled homes and assist them in meeting the criteria so they can receive the label for their new construction.

EPA guide on responsible appliance disposal for consumers.

Report describing how modification of model specifications to include guidance on energy efficiency measures can create a greater level of consistency in executing energy efficiency retrofit measures across the multiple regions where a developer may work.

Report summarizing the results of laboratory testing of 20 advanced power strip products.

Report describing research efforts focused on examining the audit reports for quality, comprehensiveness, and consistency.

The Retrofit Decision Tool is an online tool to help homeowners, multifamily building owners and contractors to start the conversation about which retrofits they can employ to achieve zero-carbon-alignment.

A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to anchor home appliances and protect from seismic damages.

Fact sheet describing how to install bracing to retrofit roof dormers for increased wind resistance.

A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to elevate and protect outdoor HVAC equipment from high winds and floods.

A retrofit sheet providing information on elevating and securing water heaters to protect against damage during a flood.

A guide on how to anchor fuel tanks to avoid damage from flooding and seismic events to the home by using straps and solid concrete slabs.

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

A brochure educating homeowners on how to install self-locking devices on cabinets, drawers and doors, including child-proof latches and drawer locks.

Factsheet providing homeowners with an overview of approaches for flashing and sealing roof penetrations to help discussion with a roofing contractor.

Fact sheet describing flashing of roof penetrations to make a home more resistant to high winds, hurricanes, and rainwater intrusion.

Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.

Technical paper covering the retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings.

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Report on air-sealing programs for energy-efficiency retrofits.

Report describing extensive renovations to a historic home.

Report describing procedures for increasing sensible efficiencies through increased flow rates across the air handling unit and increased indoor coil sizes.

Report about a tool developed to enable users to compare a typical 1970s ranch home against an IECC 2009 code-compliant home of the same configuration and against the 70s base case plus retrofits.

Report presenting results of a laboratory experiment studying combi systems as a mode to eliminate safety issues associated with natural draft appliances.

This project analyzed combined condensing water heaters or boilers and hydronic air coils to provide high efficiency domestic hot water (DHW) and forced air space heating. Called "combi" systems, they provided similar space and water heating performance less expensively than installing two...

Guide on retrofitting insulation in cavities.

Report about cost effective energy-efficient upgrades that can be implemented in the hot, dry Southwest climate.

Article describing how replacing permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors with electronically commutated motors (ECM) can boost bottom line for HVAC contractors as well as improve customer comfort and satisfaction.

Report about a deep energy retrofit Cool Energy House.

Software enabling low-carbon planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Article from the Institute of Biological Engineering describing reverse osmosis water softeners.

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.

Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.

This report discusses proposed updates to the pool pumps and motors, and portable electric spas standards in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601 to 1609). These proposed updates are part of the 2012 Appliance Efficiency Rulemaking, Phase I...

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Information sheet about insulation retrofits for the hot-dry climate zones.