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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 1801 - 1850 of 2448

Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures, Third Edition, FEMA P-259

Author(s)
Conrad David,
Kapur Omar,
Mahadevia Amit,
Maldonado Desi,
Moline Julia,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Perotin Manuel,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Sheldon Adrienne,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Atkins Global,
URS Group,
Dewberry
Publication Date
Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.

Measure Guideline: Sealing and Insulating Ducts in Existing Homes

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report describing the sealing and insulating of HVAC duct systems in existing homes.

Advanced Strategy Guideline: Air Distribution Basics and Duct Design

Author(s)
Burdick Arlan
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Document providing guideance and considerations for duct design in an energy efficient house.

Laboratory Test Report for Six ENERGY STAR Dehumidifiers

Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Tomerlin Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.

Measure Guideline: Water Management at Tub and Shower Assemblies

Author(s)
Dickson Bruce
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report covering the fundamental waterproofing strategies for tub and shower assemblies.

Performance of Combination Hydronic Systems

Author(s)
Butcher Thomas
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Article investigating how a linear input/output relationship can be used as a simple model of the performance of a combination hydronic heating system over heating only, DHW only, and combined loads.

Stormproof Your Roof: Self-Adhering Underlayment Provides Critical Protection In Vulnerable Locations

Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing ways to protect roofs from water infiltration by using self-adhering underlayment in vulnerable locations such as roof valleys, eave edges (to help deal with ice dams), rake edges, roofs to vertical walls (such as dormers), sidewall protection, the bottom of dormer valleys, and...

Strategy Guideline: Quality Management in Existing Homes

Author(s)
Taggart Jim,
Sikora Jeannie,
Wiehagen Joseph,
Wood Amber
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study providing a comparison of selected retrofit activity typically done, versus that same retrofit activity approached from an integrated high performance remodeling and quality management perspective.

Evaluation of Humidity Control Options in Hot-Humid Climate Homes

Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Fang Xia
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

Measure Guideline: Summary of Interior Ducts in New Construction, Including an Efficient, Affordable Method to Install Fur-Down Interior Ducts

Author(s)
Beal David,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Fonorow Ken,
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document illustrating guidelines for efficient installation of interior duct systems in new housing.

Energy Savings Measure Packages: Existing Homes

Author(s)
Casey Sean,
Booten Chuck
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document presenting a simple starting point to determine the most cost-effective Energy Savings Measure Packages (ESMP) for existing homes to achieve 15% and 30% savings in 37 locations across the United States.

2010 Florida Building Codes

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage with links for all 2010 Florida building codes.

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

Author(s)
Straube John
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

Condensing Hybrid Water Heater Monitoring Field Evaluation

Author(s)
Maguire Jeff,
Earle Lieko,
Booten Chuck,
Hancock C E
Organization(s)
Mountain Energy Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report about a hybrid condensing water heater (thermal efficiency = 0.973, energy factor = 0.95) installed in an occupied home in Sacramento, California, and monitored for one year to determine the actual in situ efficiency.

Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist Guidebook

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist.

Just Right and Airtight, BSI-053

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing air leakage in buildings.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Mixed-Humid Climate, Volume 16

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Butner Ryan S,
Ortiz S J,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Night Ventilation Cooling Compliance Option

Author(s)
California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program
Organization(s)
California Public Utilities Commission,
CPUC
Publication Date
Document describing recommended modeling rules, potential compliance credits, and eligibility criteria for residential night ventilation cooling systems for California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.

Raised-Heel Trusses

Author(s)
American Plywood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.

Foundation Heat Exchanger Model and Design Tool Development and Validation

Author(s)
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Fisher Daniel E,
Cullin James R,
Xing Lu,
Lee Edwin,
Fan David D,
Rees Simon J
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
De Montfort University,
DMU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate, Volume 15

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Noonan Chrissy F,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
A guidebook helping builders in hot-humid climates design and construct homes for energy efficiency, durability, health, safety, and comfort.

Georgia Pulls the Attic-Ventilator Plug (Sort of)

Author(s)
Defendorf Richard
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article describing issues with attic ventilation fans and why the state of Georgia residential code does not allow plug-in attic ventilation fans.

Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Ready.gov
Organization(s)
Ready.gov,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
USDHS
Publication Date
Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes

Advanced Power Strip Research Report

Author(s)
Koser Kelly,
Uthe Carl
Organization(s)
NYSERDA
Publication Date
Report investigating implemention of advanced power strips for entertainment and home office electronics would reduce energy consumption across the residential market.

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

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

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth Edition, Volume II, FEMA P-55

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

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.

Smoke-Free Housing

Author(s)
Tobacco Free NYS
Organization(s)
Tobacco Free NYS
Publication Date
Initiatives of smoke-free housing policies in New York State.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth edition, Volume I, FEMA P-55

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

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.

Research and Resources

Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Webpage containing downloadable fact sheets covering carpet-related topics including Indoor Air Quality, Asthma and Allergy, Cleaning Products, and Environmental Sustainability.

Expert Meeting Report: Simplified Space Conditioning Strategies for Energy Efficient Houses

Author(s)
Stecher Dave
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Expert meeting held to discuss simplified space conditioning systems in low load homes, including the relationship between advanced thermal enclosures, space conditioning systems and comfort.

Sprinkler Insulation

Author(s)
Merrifield Brian
Organization(s)
Fire Protection Research Foundation,
FPRF,
National Fire Protection Association,
NFPA
Publication Date
Literature review from NFPA on the use of insulation to protect the piping in home fire sprinkler systems from freezing conditions.