Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 56 results:

2009 Supplement to the 2007 Florida Building Code

2009

International Code Council

ICC

Building code for the state of Florida.

Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA 347

2000

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

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

ACCA Manual T - Air Distribution Basics

2009

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard providing guidance on how to select, size, and locate the supply air diffusers, grilles and registers, and the return grilles.

Advanced Wall Framing

2000

U.S. Department of Energy,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

Southface Energy Institute

HIRL,

SEI,

DOE

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.

An Experimental Analysis of the Impact of Tree Shade on Electricity Consumption

2009

Laband David N,

Sophocleus John P

International Society of Arboriculture

Paper describing an experiment to quantify shade tree impacts on cooling-related electricity consumption, finding that there may be sizable benefits in hot regions.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

Benefits of Demand-Controlled Pumping

2009

Acker Larry,

Klein Gary

Home Energy Magazine,

Taco Comfort

Article describing how demand plumbing systems send cold water back to the water heater until hot water arrives at the sink, shower or other fixture where it is needed.

Builder's Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

2009

Lukachko Alex

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Presentation describing details for installing structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Building with Structural Insulated Panels

2000

Morley Michael

Taunton Press

An online learning management resource for the construction community.

Ceilings and Attics

2000

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL,

SEI

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Cool Neighborhoods: The Measurement of Small Scale Heat Islands

2000

Sonne Jeffrey K,

Vieira Robin K

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,

ECEEE

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

Double Wall: Staggered or In-Line Studs?

2009

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

Steven Winter Associates

CARB,

SWA

Information sheet providing information about investigating the thermal effect of staggering the inner and outer wall studs on double walls in new construction.

Drainage Plane/Water Resistive Barrier, Info-301

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure describing drainage planes, also referred to as water resistive barriers.

EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2009

2009

U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIA

Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes.

Energy Flow Across Enclosures, BSI-028

2009

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Discussion of structural thermal resistance.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

Expansion Tanks 101: Pressure and Air Vents

2000

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Article containing background knowledge on expansion tanks.

Expansion Tanks 101: The Facts and Myths

2000

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Article explaining common myths about expansion tanks and proper facts.

FEMA Engineering With Nature - Alternative Techniques to Riprap Bank Stabilization

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Document explores alternatives to riprap on banks and waterways to mitigate bankside erosion in the Pacific Northwest.

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

2009

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

UCANR,

University of California Cooperative Extension

A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.

GREENGUARD Certification for Paints and Coatings

2009

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

Guide to Good Leak Testing

2009

Institute of Refrigeration

IOR,

Carbon Trust

Guide describing refrigeration leaks, including common leak points, how to fix them, and how to prevent them.

Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades

2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

National Service Center for Environmental Publications

EPA,

NSCEP

Guidance for achieving safe and healthy indoor environments during home energy retrofits.

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

2009

Straube John,

Grin Aaron

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

2000

Farrar-Nagy Sara,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Partnership for Resource Conservation,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

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

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

2009

Kang Bhujon,

Lutz-Carillo Sky

University of Texas

Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

2009

Springer David

Home Energy Magazine

Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Kickout Flashing: How to Flash Troublesome Roof-to-Wall Intersections

2009

Guertin Mike

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Article showing steps for kick out flashing at roof-wall intersection.

Leak-Free Skylights: A Peel-And-Stick Membrane Under The Flashing Guarantees That The Skylight Won’t Leak—Ever

2009

Guertin Mike

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Article describing a technique for installing a skylight and avoiding potential water leaks with the use of a peel-and-stick (or self-adhesive) membrane under the flashing.

Living with Fire: Homeowners' Firesafe Guide for Montana

2009

FireSafe Montana

Guide for homeowners describing actions they can take to modify their home and the surrounding site to create a survivable space to reduce the amount of damage a home would likely experience during a wildfire.

Manual B - Balancing and Testing Air and Hydronic Systems

2009

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Standard technical manual with information about HVAC balancing, testing air and hydronic systems.

Metal Roof Systems in High-Wind Regions - Hurricane Ike Recovery Advisory

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Performance Assessment of Photovoltaic Attic Ventilator Fans

2000

Parker Danny S,

Sherwin John S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Predrywall Standard - Auxiliary Standards of Professional Practice for Residential Predrywall Inspections

2009

America Society of Home Inspectors

ASHI

Article describing how to properly manage condensing HVAC equipment.

Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and other Hazards: A Multi-Hazard Foundation and Installation Guide, FEMA P-85

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Report addressing flood, wind and seismic hazards and recommends several multi-hazard resistant foundation designs of manufactured homes.

Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations, FEMA P-550

2009

Coulbourne Bill,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

URS Corporation,

DK Low and Associates,

Greenhorne and O'Mara,

Dewberry and Davis

Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

2000

Woods Tony

Home Energy,

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP

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

Residential Air Cleaners - A Summary of Available Information, Second Edition

2009

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Report providing information on mechanical air-cleaning devices for ventilation when conventional methods are not warranted.

Retrofitting Knob and Tube Wiring An Investigation into Codes, Assessment, Wiring Practices and Cost

2000

Gordon Jeffrey R,

Rose William B

Building Research Council,

School of Architecture University of Illinois,

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

Guide on retrofitting insulation in cavities.

Servicing High Efficiency Boilers Part 2

2009

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Second part of an article series focusing on servicing high efficiency modcon boilers. This part focuses on paperwork and follow-up communication with the homeowner for scheduling annual maintenance.

Servicing High Efficiency Modcon Boilers

2009

Eatherton Mark

Contractor Magazine

Article describing the author's experiences in owning and servicing a modcon boiler.

Solar Ready Buildings Planning Guide

2009

Lisell Lars,

Tetreault Tim,

Watson Andrea

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report identifying the important aspects of building design and construction to enable installation of solar photovoltaic and heating systems at some time after the building is constructed.

Technology Fact Sheet Slab Insulation: Improve Comfort and Save Energy in Homes with Slab-on-Grade Floors

2000

Southface Energy Institute

DOE

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

Technology Fact Sheet: Weather-Resistive Barriers

2000

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

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

The value of shade: Estimating the effect of urban trees on summertime electricity use

2009

Donovan Geoffrey H,

Butry David T

U.S. Department of Agriculture,

USDA,

USDA Forest Service,

National Institute of Standards and Technology,

NIST

Paper describing the effects of shade trees and their location on residential summertime electricity usage.

Tornado Protection - Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings, FEMA P-431

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Report presenting information that aids qualified architects and engineers in the identification of the best available refuge areas in existing buildings for sheltering in place during a tornado.

Transfer Ducts and Grilles, Info-604

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet describing transfer ducts and grilles for HVAC.

Uplifting Moments – Roof Failures, BSI-019

2009

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report covering wind uplift and roofing membrane failures.