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...

Article describing ways builders can improve the hurricane resistance of the homes they construct, especially 1) strengthening the continuous load path, 2) upgrading the building envelope, and 3) improving the roof system performance.

Report describing a project whose goal was to determine the prevalence of residential comfort system faults with a focus on air conditioners and heat pumps, and on key faults that can occur during installation: (1) incorrect refrigerant charge level (undercharge or overcharge); (2) indoor coil...

Document describing three methods for elevating a home out of the flood zone.

Fact sheet describing advanced framing techniques that reduce the amount of lumber used in constructing wood-framed houses while providing more space for wall insulation.

Report (1) compares existing measurement methods, based on field testing in a wide range of buildings, (2) presents the development of two new methods to directly measure exterior and interior leakage of an attached unit, and compares to existing methods; and (3) experimentally evaluates the...

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...

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

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.

An online learning management resource for the construction community.

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

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.

Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

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

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.

Webpage showing the minimum efficiency levels and maximum sound levels for ENERGY STAR certified residential ventilating fans.

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

Article containing background knowledge on expansion tanks.

Article explaining common myths about expansion tanks and proper facts.

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

Fact sheet describing actions homeowners can take to safely cleanup their homes after a flood with links to additional resources from the EPA.

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

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.

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

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.

Video course by the Lighting Controls Academy presenting an overview of the basic functionality of today’s lighting controls, benefits and the basic questions to ask when identifying an appropriate lighting control strategy

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

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.

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Guide on retrofitting insulation in cavities.

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

Report from FEMA describing techniques for floodproofing structures.

Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

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.

Report documenting the Transformative Efficiency and Automation in Modular Homes (TEAMH) project, which evaluates the integration of advanced building envelope technologies and automation-assisted modular construction to improve residential energy performance and construction efficiency.

Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.

Document providing guidance on water management concepts and applications for residential buildings.

Specification of criteria for lavatory faucets and faucet accessories under the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program.