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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 68 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.

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.

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.

Erosion Control Treatment Selection Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
·
Organization(s)
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Description
A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

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.

Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings, BSD-111

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.

Fold-Form

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Owens Corning Insulation
·
Organization(s)
Owens Corning Insulation
Description
Information sheet with manufacturer specifications about insulated concrete forms.

Food and Water in an Emergency, FEMA 477

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

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.

How to Build a Zero Electric Utility Cost House

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Description
Report presenting construction methods, building products, appliances and equipment of four single-family houses that achieve dramatic energy reductions and approach “net zero energy” use.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
·
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

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.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

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.

Rain Control in Buildings, BSD-013

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.