Library

2006 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...

Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.

Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Information on the control of air flow across building enclosures to control moisture damage, reduce energy losses, and ensure occupant comfort and health. A continuous, strong, stiff, durable and air impermeable air barrier system is required between the exterior and conditioned space to control...

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Brochure describing the benefits of air-sealing for homeowners.

ASTM standard providing test methods for determining duct air leakage in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

Case study describing solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in new construction.

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.

Technical report detailing a study in which actual cooling loads are compared to modeled cooling loads.

Article introducing the FTC’s new EnergyGuide label, including estimates of annual energy usage.

Attachment or installation of foundations, floors, roofs, insulation, utilities, and finishes to concrete masonry walls as well as on special tools and fasteners available for use with concrete masonry.

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.

Article describing codes and test methods related to fire-resistant construction of decks.

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.

FEMA risk management series guide on hospital safety and resilience to natural disasters.

A book describing how to complete an earthquake retrofit plan for wood-frame residential buildings.

Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.

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.

Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.

An engineering design guide for hydronic heat loops, discussing the features and advantages of condensing boilers.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Report providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.

Best Practices document providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.

Report summarizing approaches to addressing duct leakage in hot humid climates.

Standard supporting indoor air quality performance by producers, purchasers and policy makers to improve the environmental performance of products and services.

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more hurricane resistant.

Technical article presenting the results of an analysis on the effect of insect screens on window solar heat gain coefficients and U-values.

Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Guide for electrical systems design including installation guidance and best practices for flood-prone areas.

Guide for fuel systems design including installation guidance and formulas for calculating loads and buoyancy forces for specifying number, type and capacity of strapping for hold-downs in flood-prone areas.

Report discussing the benefits of modern evaporative cooling systems for use in hot dry climate zones.

The Enhanced F-scale is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage which uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed.

Fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.

Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Report describing a study using parametric computer simulations of 112 single-family and 63 multi-family residential building prototypes to quantify the contributions of building components such as roofs, walls, windows, infiltration, outside air, lighting, equipment, and people to the aggregate...

Report promoting public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing homes.

Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

Report from FEMA describing techniques for floodproofing structures.

Document describing correct construction of swales, designed to trap particulate pollutants (suspended solids and trace metals), promote infiltration, and reduce the flow velocity of storm water runoff.

A field guide with residential construction best practices.

Report presenting results from whole-house monitoring efforts in hope that they may be useful for others moving towards zero energy homes.