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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 1601 - 1650 of 1788

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.

Understanding Attic Ventilation, BSD-102

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
BSD-102 report providing guidance about whether to construct a vented or unvented attic based on hygro-thermal zone.

Understanding Air Barriers, BSD-104

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet providing definitions, applications, and techniques for applying air barriers.

Understanding Basements, BSD-103

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet with methods for constructing or retrofitting basements to reduce moisture issues.

Urban Forestry Manual

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Manual describing scientific, technical, and practical information needed to work with communities on urban forestry, including a section on trees and construction.

Fold-Form

Author(s)
Owens Corning Insulation
Organization(s)
Owens Corning Insulation
Publication Date
Information sheet with manufacturer specifications about insulated concrete forms.

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.

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

Window Systems

Author(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension,
University of Florida
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing impact-resistant window systems with specifics on Florida’s building codes.

Food and Water in an Emergency, FEMA 477

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Publication Date
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

Stucco that Works

Author(s)
DeKorne Clayton
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Information sheet describing correct application of stucco.

Thermal Mass in Building Design

Author(s)
Baggs David,
Mortensen Neal
Organization(s)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions Ltd,
BDP
Publication Date
Design guide providing technical information regarding building with thermal mass.

How to Build a Zero Electric Utility Cost House

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Report presenting construction methods, building products, appliances and equipment of four single-family houses that achieve dramatic energy reductions and approach “net zero energy” use.

Small House with Construction Cost of $100K, Total Energy Cost of $0.88 a Day

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Childs Phillip W,
Pate Paige,
Atchley Jerald A
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Paper describing the development and testing of an affordable net-zero energy house in Lenoir City, Tennessee.

Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings, FEMA 547

Author(s)
Rutherford & Chekene Consulting Engineers
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Report providing a selected compilation of seismic rehabilitation techniques and guidance on which techniques are commonly used to mitigate specific seismic deficiencies in various model building types.

2003 International Wildland Urban Interface Code - IWUIC

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2003 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...

OSHA Fact Sheet: Using Portable Generators Safely

Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
OSHA
Publication Date
A fact sheet educating the public on the potential hazards and safe use of portable generators.

Third Street

Author(s)
Gifford Henry
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how an affordable multifamily building achieved energy savings for the same cost as code-minimum construction.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

DOE Steep Slope Calculator

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.

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.

Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Author(s)
Appalachian State University
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

Author(s)
Cranor John
Organization(s)
American Society of Home Inspectors,
ASHI
Publication Date
Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.

Hot Water Runs Cold

Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.

Effect of Residential Ventilation Techniques for Hot and Humid Climates on Indoor Concentrations and Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds

Author(s)
Hodgson Alfred T,
Moyer Neil,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Author(s)
Dastur Cyrus,
Davis Bruce
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Decks - Fire Safe or Not?

Author(s)
Stephen L. Quarles
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

Author(s)
Fisette Paul
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts,
UMASS
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

Author(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau
Organization(s)
NEBB
Publication Date
Webpage describing the standards, seminars, exams, etc regarding testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB).

Ultra-Low Energy Residences

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Case study about affordable housing in a mixed, humid climate.

Weep Holes in Brick and Stone Veneer

Author(s)
Don Jackson
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.