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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 - 8 of 8 results:

A Field and Laboratory Study to Characterize Fault Prevalence in Residential Comfort Systems

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Yuill David,
et al.
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Organization(s)
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Description
Report describing a project whose goal was to determine the prevalence of residential comfort system faults with a focus on air conditioners and heat pumps, and on key faults that can occur during installation: (1) incorrect refrigerant charge level (undercharge or overcharge); (2) indoor coil...

Advancing Building Air Leakage Measurement and Modeling: Measurement of Interior Air Leaks, Experimental Comparison to Conventional Methods, and Building Modeling Characteristics

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gevelber Michael,
Browne Michael,
Jayarathne Tharanga
·
Organization(s)
Boston University,
Advanced Building Analysis
Description
Report (1) compares existing measurement methods, based on field testing in a wide range of buildings, (2) presents the development of two new methods to directly measure exterior and interior leakage of an attached unit, and compares to existing methods; and (3) experimentally evaluates the...

Aerosol-Based Method Seals the Deal for Tighter New Homes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing an innovative aerosol-based sealing technique for tightening building envelopes in new homes, involving pressurizing the structure and dispersing an aerosol sealant "fog" to autonomously identify and seal leaks, with real-time feedback through a standard blower door and laptop...

Building America Program

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
A website providing information on the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center, a source for innovations in residential building energy performance, energy efficiency, quality, affordability and comfort for more than 20 years.

Field Validation of a Smart Energy Recovery Ventilation System Using Low-Cost Indoor Air Quality Sensors

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Hains Bryant,
et al.
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Organization(s)
Southface
Description
Technical report on a field validation study that utilizes low-cost indoor air quality sensors to assess a smart ventilation system's effectiveness in maintaining acceptable indoor humidity in low-load homes in humid environments, revealing that while the smart ventilation algorithm demonstrated...

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Publication Date
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Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Smart Control Logic for Mechanical Ventilation in Humid Environments

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Fact sheet describing field validations of a smart ventilation system to assess its effectiveness in assisting low-load homes in humid environments by maintaining acceptable indoor humidity conditions while ensuring adequate ventilation and indoor air quality.

Transformative Efficiency and Automation in Modular Homes (TEAMH)

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Biswas Kaushik,
et al.
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Organization(s)
GTI Energy,
Dvele Inc.,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Description
Report documenting the Transformative Efficiency and Automation in Modular Homes (TEAMH) project, which evaluates the integration of advanced building envelope technologies and automation-assisted modular construction to improve residential energy performance and construction efficiency.