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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 50 of 50

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information about LED lighting technology.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A website covering the history of the lightbulb that includes a helpful timeline to illustrate lightbulb innovation from the 1800s - Present.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Discussion of building sheathing.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.
Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2010 and is available in both digital and print...
Author(s)
Curcija Charlie,
Yazdanian Mehry,
Kohler Christian,
Hart Robert,
Mitchell Robin,
Vidanovic Simon
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Infographic providing details on choosing the right advanced power strip based on your habits to reduce the electricity wasted when your electronic devices are idle.
Author(s)
Sughrue Patrick
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Publication Date
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.
Author(s)
Robertson Joseph,
Collis Jon,
Polly Benjamin
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Colorado School of Mines
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Newport Partners,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the costs of home fire sprinkler systems.
Author(s)
Mantha Pallavi,
Zoeller William,
Shapiro Carl
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.
Author(s)
Wilson Alex
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken,
Gates Cathy,
Pettit Betsy
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.
Author(s)
Fernstorm Gary,
Joyce Elizabeth,
Ludovici Eric,
Worth Chad
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
Description
This CASE report proposes updates and revisions to the standards for residential swimming pool filtration pumps, new and replacement single phase pump motors under 5 horsepower (HP), controllers, portable electric spas as well as expanding the scope of the current standards to include light emitting...
Author(s)
Rudd Armin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
This document covers a description of the need and applied solutions for supplemental dehumidification in warm-humid climates, especially for energy efficient homes where the sensible cooling load has been dramatically reduced.
Author(s)
Low David K,
Squerciati John,
Sparenberg Jennifer,
Reeder Adam,
Perotin Manuel,
Mahadevia Amit,
Seelbach Lauren,
Sheldon Adrianne
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.
Author(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Organization(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about how to prevent rodent entry in homes.
Author(s)
Colucci Robert
Organization(s)
RTC Insurance Advisors
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the insurance savings of a home with a hip roof versus a gable roof from the perspective of an insurance advisor.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the impact of increasingly stringent ventilation standards on multifamily buildings, highlighting the inefficiencies and challenges of exhaust-only ventilation in tightly sealed enclosures, the complications of achieving balanced ventilation, and the unintended consequences of...
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report assessing the market for Low-e storm windows based on market data, case studies, and recent experience with weatherization deployment programs.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Hellevang Kenneth
Organization(s)
North Dakota State University,
NDSU
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to mitigate heat loss through roofs for ice dam prevention.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
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...
Author(s)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Center for Science Education
Organization(s)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Center for Science Education
Publication Date
Description
A heat map showing the average number of tornadoes per year across the United States
Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website providing CAD files and drawings of advanced framing details.
Author(s)
Extension Foundation
Organization(s)
Extension Foundation,
Cooperative Extension,
New Technologies for Agricultural Extension,
NTAE
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report informing building stakeholders about the risks a snow event poses to their buildings, preventative measures to take before the snow season, and actions that should be taken before, during, and after a snow event.
Author(s)
Carmody John,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H,
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing a resource that communities can use to identify and evaluate a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk to natural hazards and disasters.
Author(s)
RESNET
Organization(s)
RESNET
Publication Date
Description
RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Standard for installing manufactured homes, including specifications and procedures, for installation of utility connections of a manufactured home.
Author(s)
ICF Systems
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Building Products
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining important safety considerations of ventless fireplaces.
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2013, and is available for...
Author(s)
Reardon Chris,
McGee Caitlin,
Milne Geoff
Organization(s)
Australian Government
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance on the use of thermal mass with passive heating and cooling strategies.