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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 2301 - 2350 of 2448

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Van Geet Off-Grid Home: An Integrated Approach to Energy Savings

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Report about a project with successful integration of numerous energy-conservation and renewable-energy features into a beautiful, comfortable, and very energy-efficient off-grid home.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

The reHABITAT Guide: For Energy- and Resource-Efficient Retrofit Strategies

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
NREL,
SWA
Publication Date
Report developed for Habitat for Humanity about lessons learned from demonstration retrofit projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; with building systems consulting and technical assistance provided by Steven Winter Associates.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures, Revision 1

Author(s)
Hendron Robert,
Anderson Ren,
Judkoff Ron,
Christensen Craig B,
Eastment Mark,
Norton Paul,
Reeves Paul,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
Mountain Energy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.

Garage Performance Testing

Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Publication Date
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

Introduction to Buildings Systems Performance: Houses that Work II

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
BSC,
NREL
Publication Date
Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.

Whole House Fans

Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E,
California Public Utilities Commission
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.

Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices, SB-1898

Author(s)
California Legislative Information
Organization(s)
California Legislative Information
Publication Date
Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.

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.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)
Gifford Henry
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Cool Colored Materials for Roofs

Author(s)
Akbari Hashem,
Levinson Ronnen,
Wiel Stephen,
Miller William,
Jenkins Nancy,
Rosenfeld Arthur,
Scruton Chris,
Desjarlais Andre O
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC,
Public Interest Energy Research Program,
PIER,
Laboratory Directed Research and Development,
LDRD,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Author(s)
Brown William C,
Dietrich Mike,
Latimer Mark
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Toward Simple, Affordable Zero Energy Houses

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Beal David,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Paper describing testing for the first of a series of six near net-zero-energy test houses, using the results to work towards the construction of a true net-zero-energy house.

Heat your Water with the Sun

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, and Tips: Ice Dams

Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Publication Date
Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

Integrated Design Process - A Guideline for Sustainable and Solar-Optimized Building Design

Author(s)
Sol*id*ar Planungswerkstatt Architects and Engineers,
Architeckten B+S,
Lohnert Gunter,
Dalkowski Andreas,
Sutter Werner
Organization(s)
International Energy Agency,
IEA
Publication Date
Guide describing the use of a collaborative, multidisciplinary process that considers and optimizes the building as an entire system including its technical equipment and surroundings for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective construction and operation over the building’s entire lifespan.

Sidewall Blowing Tips and Tricks

Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Publication Date
High-density sidewall cavity insulation can be a major comfort and savings boost. It saves energy by slowing both conductive and convective losses, but only if the right things are done and done right. This always requires site-specific thinking.

Water Managed Wall Systems, PA-0301

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document outlining a well-detailed drainage plane and flashings.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Publication Date
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Characterization of Framing Factors for Wood-Framed Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Carpenter Stephen C,
Schumacher Christopher
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.

Living on the Coast: Protecting Investments in Shore Property on the Great Lakes

Author(s)
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
U.S. Geological Survey,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
WRI,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
USGS,
NOAA
Publication Date
A publication describing how to protect coastal investments by adapting to natural processes and protecting coastal environments and shorelines.

Unvented Roof Summary, RR-0301

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document summarizing the various papers on unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on BSC's website.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Venting of Attics & Cathedral Ceilings

Author(s)
TenWolde Anton,
Rose William B
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.

Design and Construction of Interior Duct System

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David,
Fairey Philip W
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

PV Primer, BA-0212

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center,
PHRC
Publication Date
Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

Author(s)
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
NAHB,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD,
Office of Policy Development and Research,
PDR
Publication Date
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Cantilevers, Technical Bulletin F2

Author(s)
Advanced Energy
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Publication Date
Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Cooling Related Performance of Finished and Unfinished Metal Roofing Systems

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

High Hats, Swiss Cheese, and Fluorescent Lighting?

Author(s)
McCullough Jeff J,
Gordon Kelly L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Seismic Retrofit Training For Building Contractors and Inspectors Participant Handbook

Author(s)
McCormick Timothy P
Organization(s)
Woodward Clyde Federal Services and the Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Partnership,
City of Los Angeles,
Structural Engineers Association of Southern California,
SEAOSC
Publication Date
Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

Basement Insulation Technology Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute
Organization(s)
SEI,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Washington State Residential Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code (VIAQ): Whole House Ventilation Systems Field Research Report

Author(s)
Devine John,
Gordon Andrew,
Kunkle Rick,
Lubliner Michael
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ACEEE,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report describing a field study of 31 homes to test envelope and duct leakage and fan flowrates, and to determine ventilation operation characteristics.