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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 74

Author(s)
Residential Energy Services Network,
American National Standards Institute,
International Code Council
Organization(s)
RESNET,
ANSI,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Standard describing methods for testing the airtightness of buildings and HVAC equipment.
Author(s)
Quarles Stephen L,
Pohl Kelly
Organization(s)
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire,
CPAW,
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
IBHS,
Headwaters Economics
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the cost differences between a typical home and a home constructed using wildfire-resistant materials and design features.
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Author(s)
Gray Mike
Organization(s)
Town of Clarkdale
Publication Date
Description
Presentation on sustainable development including water conservation, passive solar, daylighting, natural ventilation, and land use.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Organization(s)
PHMSA,
DOT
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.
Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
OSHA
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet educating the public on the proper operation of chainsaws to reduce the risk of injury from use.
Author(s)
Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team
Organization(s)
TFFT
Publication Date
Description
Five step plan from the Tahoe Fire & Fuels team outlining how to create an effective defensible space for wildfire protection. Recommendations include siting for homes on slopes.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2009 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
McIntosh Joshua A,
Sullivan Greg P,
Ashley Travis A,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Fernandez Nicholas
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Efficiency Solutions
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental design and results of testing the energy performance of Hunter Douglas double-cell cellular shades under various control schemes in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Lab Homes.
Author(s)
Williams Jeremy
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.
Author(s)
San Diego County Fire Authority,
San Diego County
Organization(s)
SDCFA,
SDC
Publication Date
Description
A San Diego County standard outlining the requirements for installing fire protection water tanks.
Author(s)
Militello-Hourigan Ryan Edward,
Miller Shelly L
Organization(s)
University of Colorado-Boulder
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a field study that test ventilation performance in nine homes and found current ventilation was inadequate to remove PM2.5 and CO2 levels; however, a directly exhausting range hood can reduce peak PM2.5 concentrations by 75% or more.
Author(s)
Yost Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Table of criteria for pool pumps to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a method for flashing roof vent boots, describing how to flash the pipe, how to flash over and under the pan, and finish by shaping the shingles, as well as addressing potential water leakage by adding an additional seal with EPDM flashing tape with a butyl adhesive backing to the...
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.
Author(s)
University of Missouri Extension
Organization(s)
University of Missouri,
MU
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how generators being used for backup power during outages can lead to safety concerns.
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.
Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Description
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.
Author(s)
Yost Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and how to plan residential building to mitigate wildfire risks associated with building in the WUI.
Author(s)
Fuller Thomas,
Singhvi Anjali,
Williams Josh
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Description
Article describing San Francisco and how impending seismic activity may affect modern skyscrapers.
Author(s)
Texas A&M University,
University of Maryland
Organization(s)
Texas A&M University,
University of Maryland
Publication Date
Description
Article from Texas A&M University and the University of Maryland analyzing why and how urban flooding happens and what can be done to mitigate damage.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Recovery advisory guide providing guidance on existing code requirements as well as recommend best practices for attachment design, installation, and maintenance of rooftop solar panels to increase panel wind resistance in the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria.
Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing how and where to install flashings in order to weatherproof a roof.
Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.