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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 901 - 950 of 1787

How To: Mounting Solar on Sips

Author(s)
Sughrue Patrick
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Publication Date
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.

How-to Anchor it and Protect a Child

Author(s)
Green Smart Links
Organization(s)
Green Smart Links
Publication Date
Includes several good how-to videos for anchoring furniture to different wall types

HPWH Installation and Design Concepts for Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Larson Ben
Organization(s)
Larson Energy Research,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NREL
Publication Date
Report describing the identification of barriers and proposed practical solutions for the design, installation, and market adoption of heat pump water heaters in new low-rise multifamily housing, focusing on studio and one-bedroom units.

Humidity Control: Supplemental Dehumidification in Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
National Association of Home Builders,
International Code Council
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB,
ICC
Publication Date
Fact Sheet describing the need for supplemental dehumidification, dehumidifier configuration options, and design considerations.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

Author(s)
Florida Disaster
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Wood Frame Walls

Author(s)
Florida Disaster
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

Hurricane Shutter Types

Author(s)
Hurricane Research Division,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.

HVAC – Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.

HVAC Duct Supports, AC 284

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Standards criteria supporting ICC HVAC duct support standards.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

HVAC Sizing Tool

Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Software tool available free online that can help calculate heating and cooling requirements to accurately size HVAC equipment in as little as 15 minutes.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

HVI Certified Products Directory

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Hybrid Inverter Comparison Chart

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of hybrid inverters for solar power systems.

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction

Author(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
Organization(s)
SMACNA
Publication Date
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.

ICC-ES Evaluation Report, ESR-1679

Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Organization(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Publication Date
ICC-ES Evaluation Report reviewing proprietary steel shear wall panels developed by Simpson Strong-Tie Company to resist vertical and lateral loads in walls resulting from wind or earthquakes.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Author(s)
Straube John
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Publication Date
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Ignition Resistant Construction Guide

Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Publication Date
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
Borchelt Gregg J,
Bryja Jim,
Kjorlien Bill
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Publication Date
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

Author(s)
Farrar-Nagy Sara,
Anderson Ren,
Hancock C E,
Reeves Paul
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Implementing Green Infrastructure at Multiple Scales to Enhance Resilience

Author(s)
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Author(s)
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Improving The Passive Survivability of Residential Buildings During Extreme Heat Events in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)
Rempel Alexandra,
Danis Jackson,
Rempel Alan,
Fowler Michael,
Mishra Sandipan
Organization(s)
Applied Energy,
National Science Foundation,
NSF
Publication Date
Study using simulations to understand the impact that shading and natural ventilation would have had on the survivability of non-air-conditioned buildings during the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

Author(s)
Kang Bhujon,
Lutz-Carillo Sky
Organization(s)
University of Texas
Publication Date
Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

Author(s)
California Air Resources Board,
California Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Publication Date
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.

Indoor Air Quality Certification

Author(s)
Scientific Certification Systems
Organization(s)
SCS
Publication Date
Standard supporting indoor air quality performance by producers, purchasers and policy makers to improve the environmental performance of products and services.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Mullen Nasim A,
Singer Brett C,
Walker Iain S
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Indoor AirPlus

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.

Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.

Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, Version 1 (Rev. 04)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.

Indoor AirPlus Program Documents

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.