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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 60 results:

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates, Volume 9

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report providing builders in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climates with guidance for building homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

An Overview of Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP) Activities in Hot-Humid Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
University of Central Florida,
UCF
Description
Report summarizing systems research activities for new housing in hot-humid climates, including NightCool, interior duct systems in manufactured housing, ventilation and dehumidification, plug load reduction and solar and conventional hot water.

Are Your Multi-Family Buildings Accessible?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Stratton Petter A
·
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Document highlighting federal accessibility laws which may apply to a housing development, and common mistakes made in the field which, if avoided, will help to ensure compliance.

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 3

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
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 cold and very cold climates.

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates, Volume 2

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
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-dry and mixed-dry climates.

Building America Best Practices Series: Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Mixed-Humid Climate, Volume 4

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
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 mixed-humid climate.

Building America Research is Leading the Way to Zero Energy Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Document testing feasibility of constructing a new single-family home engineered to reduce the home's energy loads to an absolute minimum so that most needs could be met by solar systems.

Comparison of the ENERGYGAUGE USA and BEopt Building Energy Simulation Programs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Cummings Jamie E
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Two hourly energy simulation software, BEopt and Energy Gauge USA, were compared to ensure accuracy and evaluate agreement on the impact of various energy efficiency improvements.

Crawlspace Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI,
DOE
Description
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

General PV Specification

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Brochure on specifications for PV systems.

General Solar Thermal Specification

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Brochure on specifications for solar thermal systems.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Information sheet about groundwater control.

Improving Recessed Lighting

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.

Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction, FEMA P-762

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide describing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.

Review of Residential Ventilation Technologies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Sherman Max H,
Russell Marion
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.

Smart Vapor Barrier - CertainTeed Dryright-vs-Kraft-Faced Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Zhong Zhipeng
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Report describing a comparison of hydrothermal performances of DryRightTM fiberglass batts and kraft-faced fiberglass batts in a south facing wall assembly with a moisture storage cladding material.