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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 1201 - 1250 of 2447

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.

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.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Home Energy Score

Author(s)
Charlie Holly
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Factsheet describing how HEScore, a tool used for energy modeling, rates home energy performance based on physical assets and makes recommendations for improvement.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Induction Cooking

Author(s)
Edward Louie,
Theresa Gilbride
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Factsheet describing the advantages and disadvantages of induction cooktops and the role they play in energy efficiency.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Re-Siding your Home?

Author(s)
Patricia Gunderson,
Theresa Gilbride
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Why Heat Pumps?

Author(s)
Edward Louie,
Theresa Gilbride
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Factsheet outlining the advantages of using heat pumps, which are an efficient way to heat and cool a home.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Window Attachments Keep out the Heat

Author(s)
Katherine Cort,
Theresa Gilbride
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Factsheet outlining how window attachments like cellular shades, roller shades, storm windows with low-emissivity coatings, and solar screens are low-cost steps that can be implemented to keep homes cool in the summer.

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 Preparedness Digital Toolkit

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Publication Date
Webpage containing a library of ready-to-use social media posts, graphics and video links that promote life-saving information about how individuals and families can prepare for and survive during a hurricane.

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.

Hurricanes

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Publication Date
Website detailing how to prepare for, stay safe during, and return home after hurricanes.

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 A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 14

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Baechler Michael C,
Hefty Marye G,
Hand James R,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.

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 Methodology for Insulated Concrete Homes

Author(s)
Gajda John,
Marceau Medgar,
VanGeem Martha
Organization(s)
Construction Technology Laboratories Inc.,
CTL Group,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD
Publication Date
A report describing the development of a methodology to properly size heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment for concrete homes in the US and Canada.

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.