Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing air sealing and air barriers in buildings.
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
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
Description
Guide by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships on how to size heat pumps in a cold climate.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report by the FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team on damages due to Hurricane Irma which struck Florida in September 2017, and recommendations for construction for future disaster resistance and preparedness.
Organization(s)
ATC,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Reports describing a mathematical methodology for assessing the seismic performance of buildings.
Organization(s)
RESNET,
ANSI,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Standard describing methods for testing the airtightness of buildings and HVAC equipment.
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.
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method that measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chambers which available for preview and purchase at the link and was published in the year 2018.
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.
Organization(s)
Town of Clarkdale
Publication Date
Description
Presentation on sustainable development including water conservation, passive solar, daylighting, natural ventilation, and land use.
Organization(s)
Fox News
Publication Date
Description
A story about bees building a hive in the drainage plane behind the brick veneer siding. The bees entered the wall through unprotected drainage holes.
Organization(s)
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Description
A guide to construction of wildfire resistant homes and communities.
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.
Organization(s)
NAFA
Publication Date
Description
NAFA’s user guide for understanding ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2012.
Organization(s)
PHMSA,
DOT
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.
Organization(s)
SDCFA,
SDC
Publication Date
Description
A San Diego County standard outlining the requirements for installing fire protection water tanks.
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.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Table of criteria for pool pumps to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.
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...
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.
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.
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
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.
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Description
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Organization(s)
FDEP
Publication Date
Description
Handbook to help property owners understand the rules, procedures, standards, and criteria that apply to the environmental resource permit (ERP) program under Part IV of Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes.
Organization(s)
Structural Engineering Blog
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how structural screws can be used to provide resistance to wind uplift in buildings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing guidance on indoor air quality in single-family and multifamily housing for designers, builders, property managers, homeowners, buyers, and renters.
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.
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.
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Description
Article describing San Francisco and how impending seismic activity may affect modern skyscrapers.
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.
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.
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.
Organization(s)
Consumer Reports
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the danger of furniture tip-overs
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.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing and scoring code enforcement and administration and contractor licensing in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing how and where to install flashings in order to weatherproof a roof.
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.
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.
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.