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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 1001 - 1050 of 2448

Where Your Front Door Meets the Forest

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and how to plan residential building to mitigate wildfire risks associated with building in the WUI.

San Francisco's Big Seismic Gamble

Author(s)
Fuller Thomas,
Singhvi Anjali,
Williams Josh
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Article describing San Francisco and how impending seismic activity may affect modern skyscrapers.

The Growing Threat of Urban Flooding: A National Challenge 2018

Author(s)
Texas A&M University,
University of Maryland
Organization(s)
Texas A&M University,
University of Maryland
Publication Date
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.

Rooftop Solar Panel Attachment: Design, Installation, and Maintenance - Hurricane Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
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.

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Attic Retrofits Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels

Author(s)
Mallay David,
Kochkin Vladimir
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Publication Date
This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels which applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets.

ACCA Standard 12 - Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

General Flashing Guidelines for Steep-Sloped Roofs

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Guide describing how and where to install flashings in order to weatherproof a roof.

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
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.

Energy Saver

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.

How Much Ventilation Do I Need?

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.

Evaluating Moisture Control of Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps in Mechanically Ventilated, Low-Load Homes in Climate Zone 2A

Author(s)
Martin Eric,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Chasar Dave,
Beal David,
Withers Charles R
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.

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.

Latest North American Fenestration Standard Published

Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
FGIA
Publication Date
2017 version of a standard covering requirements for single- and dual-pane windows, glazed side-hinged door systems, sliding doors, tubular daylighting devices, and unit skylights developed jointly by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Canadian Standards Association...

Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants, ASTM C920-18

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
HIRL,
DOE
Publication Date
Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

2018 Long-term National Seismic Hazard Map

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey,
Earthquake Hazards Program
Organization(s)
USGS,
U.S. Department of the Interior,
USDI
Publication Date
A colored map showing seismic zones across the United States, ranging from lowest to highest seismic hazards.

Window Attachments

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE presentation describing a project to study window attachments.

DSA Gas Shut off Valves Certification Program

Author(s)
California Division of the State Architect,
California Department of General Services
Organization(s)
DSA,
DGS
Publication Date
A quick guide from the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) explaining the three types of gas shutoff devices to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

Dryer Safety Tips

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Information sheet with safety tips for home owners on proper maintenance of clothes dryers.

El Dorado County Fire District - Defensible Space

Author(s)
El Dorado County Fire District
Organization(s)
El Dorado County Fire District
Publication Date
Document explaining requirements and recommendations for defensible space, with a focus on sloped vegetation.

Heat Pump Water Heater Installation Best Practices Guide

Author(s)
Hot Water Solutions NW,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
HWS NW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Report describing the advantages and best practices for installing heat pump water heaters (HPWH), highlighting their improved energy efficiency, reliability, and critical considerations such as condensate management, proper sizing, and optimal installation location to enhance performance and...

Field and Laboratory Testing of Approaches to Smart Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation Control

Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Fenaughty Karen,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report outlining how Smart ventilation controls (SVC) balance energy consumption, comfort, and IAQ by optimizing mechanical ventilation operation to reduce the heating and/or cooling loads, improve management of indoor moisture, and maintain IAQ equivalence according to ASHRAE 62.2.

NFPA 22 – Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
An NFPA standards document that provides minimum requirements for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of tanks and accessory equipment that supply water for private fire protection.

Stop Pests in Housing

Author(s)
Northeastern IPM Center
Organization(s)
Northeastern IPM Center
Publication Date
Website providing information on all types of pest management for multi-family housing.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code - UPC

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

Vinyl Siding Installation

Author(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Website describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding on homes.

Wind Pressures on 4∶12-Sloped Hip Roofs of L-and T-Shaped Low-Rise Buildings

Author(s)
Shuai Shao,
Tian Yuji,
Yang Qingshan,
Stathopoulos Ted
Organization(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers,
ASCE,
Journal of Structural Engineering
Publication Date
Study analyzing wind pressures on hip roofs where two hip roofs come together forming an L or T shaped roof or building.

FORTIFIED Home Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners - New Documentation Requirements

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Author(s)
Building Energy Codes Program,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

The HPWH Handbook: Optimum Installation Practices and Answers to Lingering Research Questions

Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
Larson Ben
Organization(s)
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ACEEE,
Cadeo Group LLC,
Ecotope Inc.
Publication Date
Conference paper summarizing the relative performance of currently available Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) models, the energy implications of different installation locations (garage, basement, or conditioned space) and ducting configurations (exhaust ducting, full ducting, or no ducting), as well...

Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR clothes dryer buying guidance for consumers.

Energy Saver: Laundry

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE's consumer information about energy and laundry.

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.

LED Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.

Light Bulb Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR lightbulb criteria.

Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2017 Interim Report

Author(s)
Schneider Philip J,
Santos Janet,
Rashed Tarek,
Mickey Kathelene,
Isteita Maher,
Huyck Charles,
Ghosh Simi,
Eguchi Ronald,
Dash Nicole,
Scawthorn Charles,
Porter Keith
Organization(s)
Natural Institute of Building Science,
NIBS
Publication Date
Report updating and expanding on a 2005 study that found, among other things, that every $1 of natural hazard mitigation funded by FEMA between 1993 and 2003 saved the American people an average of $4 in avoided future losses.

Rain and Groundwater Management Technote

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E,
Goyal Siddharth,
Baechler Michael C
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
This research paper outlines residential HVAC advanced controls and sensors. It includes a technology review, applications, maintenance and commissioning, occupant behavior and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies for advanced controls for residential HVAC.