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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 101 - 150 of 2294

2021 IFC - International Fire Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

2021 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2021 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

2021 IPC - International Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2021 IRC - International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

2021 IWUIC - International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 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...

2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards: Residential Compliance Manual

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Document intended to help owners, designers, builders, inspectors, examiners, and energy consultants comply with and enforce California’s 2022 energy efficiency standards for low-rise residential buildings. The standards are updated periodically, and this version, as well as the 2019 and 2016...

4 Products for Enhancing Air Flow in Dryer Vents

Author(s)
Bailes Allison
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Article describing products that can enhance the efficiency and safety of clothes dryer vents.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Author(s)
McGuigan Connor
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

A Business Case for Home Performance Contracting

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Antonopoulos Chrissi A,
Sevigny M,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report discussing opportunities and trends in the U.S. home performance contracting industry, along with market drivers such as consumer demand; federal, state, and local programs; and utility and non-governmental programs.

A Community Guide to Factory-Built Housing

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Document describing advancement in factory built housing innovations.

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Guide informing homeowners on how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if their attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

A Feasibility Study: Ductless Hydronic Distribution systems with Fan Coil Delivery

Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
Backman Christine
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.

A Field Study of Ventilation System Effectiveness in Low Air Leakage Residences

Author(s)
Hales David,
Eklund Ken,
Kunkle Rick,
Lubliner Michael,
Banks Adria
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Report describing the results of a field study of five different ventilation system types in 29 homes in the Pacific Northwest.

A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects

Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension
Publication Date
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.

A Method for Determining Optimal Residential Energy Efficiency Packages

Author(s)
Polly Benjamin,
Gestwick Mike,
Bianchi Marcus V A,
Anderson Ren,
Horowitz Scott,
Christensen Craig,
Judkoff Ron
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report describing an analysis method for determining optimal residential energy efficiency retrofit packages and applies the analysis method to a 1960s-era home in eight U.S. cities.

A Plug-and-Play Duct System Evaluation

Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
This report describes an air distribution system composed of a series of uniformly-sized ducts that terminate in rooms throughout the home and return to a central manifold, similar in fashion to a “home-run” cross-linked polyethylene plumbing system. With a well-designed manifold, each duct receives...

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Author(s)
UN Environment Programme
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.

A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements

Author(s)
Global Cool Cities Alliance,
R20 Regions of Climate Action
Organization(s)
GCCA,
R20
Publication Date
Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.

A Realistic Hot Water Draw Specification for Rating Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.

A simplified model for estimating population-scale energy impacts of building envelope air-tightening and mechanical ventilation retrofits

Author(s)
Logue,
Turner,
Walker,
Singer
Organization(s)
LBNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy. Large-scale changes to air exchange rates of the housing stock can significantly alter the residential sectors energy...