Library

Guide providing minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide a safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

2009 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...

2009 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.

2009 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

A guide about the above code residential home certification called Earth Advantage and required and optional measures available to meet the point requirements for certification.

A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.

Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2012 Publication.

Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.

Information sheet about unvented fireplaces and combustion safety.

Standard covering sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as how to use comprehensive manufacturer’s performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.

Standard for use and reference by designers, architects, engineers, contractors, installers and users for evaluating, selecting, specifying and properly installing flexible duct in heating and air conditioning systems.

Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Standard covering updates to the expected leakage rates for ductwork constructed to the SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards—Metal & Flexible, duct leakage test procedures; includes recommendations on use of leakage testing, types of test apparatus, and test setup and sample leakage analysis.

Webpage describing different types of appliance thermometers, how they work, and how they should be used by homeowners.

The exhaust from residential combustion appliances contains air pollutants and high levels of moisture that must be conveyed to the outdoors to maintain acceptable indoor quality.

Fact sheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Website with consumer and contractor information about building codes and regulations for solar water heating systems.

Website providing CAD files and drawings of advanced framing details.

Fact sheet describing changes made to the 2010 Florida Building Code with regards to wind design loads and requirements.

Report recording the results of a field study conducted in a single historic home in Seattle, Washington, to document the performance of Indow Windows' interior storm window inserts.

Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.

Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Online database with efficiency information about residential HVAC systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.

Article describing earthship homes.

Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.

Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.

A standard providing minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings that are not low-rise residential buildings.

Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.

Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.

Broschure detailing water control strategies for building openings (e.g., vents and drainpipes).

Research study simulation adapting and applies the general framework described in Building Energy Simulation Test for Existing Homes for self-testing residential building energy model calibration methods.

Homepage for Extension Foundation, a partner of the Cooperative Extension System, whose goal is providing an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the best land-grant university minds across America.

Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

Research study evaluating the dynamic heat transmission characteristics through two identical Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) wall assemblies in Ottawa, Canada.

Wildfire construction guidelines from the Colorado State Forest Service focusing on site design and building materials to mitigate damage to homes in wildfire-prone areas.

Article describing methods to manage moisture, rainwater, and vapor in basements and crawlspaces.

Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Manual for proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles for the Florida market.

Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.

Article describing tree preservation during the construction process.

Guide providing detailed selection and installation instructions for heat pump water heaters.

Report covering control of hydrostatic pressure in wall assemblies.

Report assessing the costs of home fire sprinkler systems.

Web article about solar site assessment.

Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.