Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 168 results:

2009 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2018

International Code Council

ICC

2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2012 International Plumbing Code - IPC

2018

International Code Council

ICC

2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 Long-term National Seismic Hazard Map

2018

U.S. Geological Survey,

Earthquake Hazards Program

USGS,

U.S. Department of the Interior,

USDI

A colored map showing seismic zones across the United States, ranging from lowest to highest seismic hazards.

2018 Rating the States - An Assessment of Residential Building Code and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions

2018

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

IBHS

Report assessing and scoring code enforcement and administration and contractor licensing in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

2018

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

IAPMO

Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

A Bridge Too Far, BSI-005

2008

Lstiburek Joseph

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solutions.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

2018

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

ACCA Standard 12 - Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

2018

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

ACCA

This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

Air Sealing That Works

2018

Bruton Jack,

Baczek Steven

Journal of Light Construction

Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

2008

Deer Charlie,

et al.

University of Alaska,

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Are We Sealing The Right Walls In Buildings?, BSI-108

2018

Lstiburek Joseph

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing air sealing and air barriers in buildings.

ASHRAE 90.2 - Energy-Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings

2018

American National Standards Institute

ASHRAE,

ANSI

Standard establishing the minimum whole-building energy performance requirements for energy efficient residential buildings.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

2004

Brown William C,

Dietrich Mike,

Latimer Mark

American Society of Heating,

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE

A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Attic Retrofits Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels

2018

Mallay David,

Kochkin Vladimir

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels which applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

2018

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

2018

Yost Peter

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

2018

Yost Peter

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

2018

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Best Practices Manual

2018

Hammer & Hand

This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Better Duct Systems for Home Heating and Cooling; Building Technologies Program (Brochure)

2004

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL

Brochure intended to provide readers with a working knowledge of residential heating and cooling duct systems.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

2008

Kleva Stephen

Contractor Magazine

Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.

Builder System Performance Package Targeting 30% - 40% Savings in Space Conditioning Energy Use: December 2002 - December 2003

2004

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Report describing the recommended best practices to achieve energy savings without compromising health or safety.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates

2004

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate, Volume 1

2004

Baechler Michael C,

Love Pat M

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot and humid climate.

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

2008

Christian Jeffrey E,

Bonar Jacob

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Presentation about building highly efficient, affordable homes that will achieve 40% whole-house energy savings in mixed-humid climates.

Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs

2018

Quarles Stephen L,

Pohl Kelly

Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire,

CPAW,

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,

IBHS,

Headwaters Economics

Report examining the cost differences between a typical home and a home constructed using wildfire-resistant materials and design features.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures, Revision 1

2004

Hendron Robert,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Partnership for Resource Conservation,

Mountain Energy Partnership,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.

Building America Research Benchmark Definition - Updated December 19, 2008

2008

Hendron Robert

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document describing the Building America research benchmark for the residential building program.

Building Science Corporation (BSC) Building America Quality Control Checklist, GM-0802

2008

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

2008

Calwell Chris,

Horowitz Noah

Massachusetts Department of Energy,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

Home Energy Magazine,

State of Massachusetts

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.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

2004

Gifford Henry

American Boiler Manufacturers Association

Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Choosing, Installing, and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump

2018

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.

Closed Crawl Space Performance: Proof of Concept in the Production Builder Marketplace

2008

Dastur Cyrus,

Mauceri Maria,

Hannas Benjamin

Advanced Energy

Report aimed to quantify the impact of closed crawlspaces in new homes, and investigate modeling software to ensure accuracy of energy consumption predictions in these homes.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

2004

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

2008

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Floors and Moisture, 2nd Edition

2008

Kanare Howard M

Portland Cement Association

Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

2004

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.

Cool Colored Materials for Roofs

2004

Akbari Hashem,

et al.

California Energy Commission,

CEC,

Public Interest Energy Research Program,

PIER,

Laboratory Directed Research and Development,

LDRD,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

2018

Mott-Smith John

City of Davis,

State of California

Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Cool Surfaces Savings Explorer

2018

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

LBNL

Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

2018

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Defensible Space - Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones, FEMA 4

2008

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Technical fact sheet proving information on creating defensible space to reduce the risk of damage from fires to property.

Dryer Safety Tips

2018

National Fire Protection Association

NFPA

Information sheet with safety tips for home owners on proper maintenance of clothes dryers.

DSA Gas Shut off Valves Certification Program

2018

California Division of the State Architect,

California Department of General Services

DSA,

DGS

A quick guide from the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) explaining the three types of gas shutoff devices to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

El Dorado County Fire District - Defensible Space

2018

El Dorado County Fire District

Document explaining requirements and recommendations for defensible space, with a focus on sloped vegetation.

Electric Vehicle Charger Selection Guide

2018

California Energy Commission

Report describing guidance for selecting an electric vehicle charger

Energy Saver

2018

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.

Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook Volume I (General and Environmental)

2018

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

FDEP

Handbook to help property owners understand the rules, procedures, standards, and criteria that apply to the environmental resource permit (ERP) program under Part IV of Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes.

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

2008

Community Development and Insfrastructure County of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County CDI

Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

Evaluating Moisture Control of Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps in Mechanically Ventilated, Low-Load Homes in Climate Zone 2A

2018

Martin Eric,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.