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Library

Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 50 of 72 results:

A Bridge Too Far, BSI-005

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solutions.

Advanced Wall Framing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
NAHB,
SEI,
ORNL,
NREL
Description
Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
·
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center,
PHRC
Description
Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Deer Charlie,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Basement Insulation Technology Fact Sheet

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute
·
Organization(s)
SEI,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kleva Stephen
·
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Description
Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.

Building a 40% Energy Savings House in the Mixed Humid Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Bonar Jacob
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Description
Presentation about building highly efficient, affordable homes that will achieve 40% whole-house energy savings in mixed-humid climates.

Cantilevers, Technical Bulletin F2

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Advanced Energy
·
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Description
Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
·
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Department of Energy,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Home Energy Magazine,
State of Massachusetts
Description
Article describing customer tip sheet and how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Floors and Moisture, 2nd Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kanare Howard M
·
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Description
Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Cooling Related Performance of Finished and Unfinished Metal Roofing Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
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.

Design and Construction of Interior Duct System

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David,
Fairey Philip W
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
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.

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Association of Home Builders
·
Organization(s)
NAHB,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD,
Office of Policy Development and Research,
PDR
Description
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Community Development and Insfrastructure County of Santa Cruz
·
Organization(s)
Santa Cruz County CDI
Description
Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

FEMA Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
FEMA,
DHS
Description
Brochure detailing how to latch and lock cabinets and drawers to prevent injury to residents of the home.

Fiberglass Duct Board - Fabrication Instructions

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Johns Manville
·
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Description
Information sheet providing detail about hand fabrication of a one-piece straight duct from a 48" x 120" x 1" thick (1.22 m x 3.05 m x 25 mm) sheet where the total inside duct dimensions equals 112" (2.84 m) or less.

Fixing Air Leakage in Connecticut Town Houses

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Moriarta Courtney
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine,
National Property Inspections,
NPI
Description
Journal article describing energy and cost savings potential from air sealing multifamily town homes.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Gable End Retrofit Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
·
Organization(s)
Florida Disaster
Description
Guide describing retrofit procedures for gable end roofs.

Gable-End Retrofits

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Reynolds Richard
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hughes Patrick J
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.

High Hats, Swiss Cheese, and Fluorescent Lighting?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McCullough Jeff J,
Gordon Kelly L
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

How Energy Efficient are Modern Dishwashers?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hoak David,
Parker Danny S,
Hermelink Andreas H
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
·
Organization(s)
SMACNA
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
·
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Description
Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lubliner Michael,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Description
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.