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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 57 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.

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.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brown William C,
Dietrich Mike,
Latimer Mark
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Description
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

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.

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.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gifford Henry
·
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Description
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

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.

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.

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Fulger Don
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Description
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

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.

Garage Performance Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
·
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Description
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

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.

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.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

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.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Rehabbing Flooded Houses - A Guide for Builders and Contractors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD
Description
Guide providing information for professional builders and contractors rehabbing flooded single-family houses with emphasis on safe practices and the most important activities in the rehab process.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,
National Association of Home Builders
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices, SB-1898

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
California Legislative Information
·
Organization(s)
California Legislative Information
Description
Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.