Skip to main content

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 1 - 50 of 2448

Attic and Ceiling Insulation with Baffles

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Articles describing attic and ceiling insulation, including mentions of baffles with protect insulation from wind washing.

ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
This standard provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most sites and buildings, except low-rise residential buildings. It offers, in detail, the minimum energy efficiency requirements for design and construction of new sites and buildings and their systems, new portions of...

Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)

Author(s)
Energy Information Administration,
EIA
Organization(s)
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Publication Date
Website providing data on household energy usage collected from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), a nationally representative sample of more than 18,000 housing units, representing the 123.5 million housing units occupied as primary residences in the U.S.

Lighting Controls Association

Author(s)
Lighting Controls Association
Organization(s)
LCA
Publication Date
Link for the webpage of the Lighting Controls Association, an industry organization dedicated to supporting adoption of advanced lighting controls in commercial buildings through education. Their webpage contains a variety of resources regarding advanced lighting controls.

Affordable Housing Concepts

Publication Date
Affordable Housing Concepts is a construction, development and property management company that specializes in energy efficient multifamily properties.

FEMA Safe Room Publications and Resources

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Webpage containing the most recent links for FEMA P-361, FEMA P-320, and other documents produced by FEMA regarding the construction of safe rooms for emergencies.

International Fire Code (IFC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage with all versions of the International Fire Code (IFC), 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...

California Plumbing Code

Author(s)
California Plumbing Code
Organization(s)
CPC
Publication Date
Webpage providing the latest version of the California Plumbing Code.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Standard for Clothing Storage Units

Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
U.S. CPSC
Publication Date
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirement for clothing storage units (CSUs) to be tested for stability, exceed minimum stability requirements, be marked and labeled with safety information, and bear a hang tag providing performance and technical data about the stability of the CSU.

International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage providing the latest versions of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), 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...

American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA)

Author(s)
American Home Furnishings Alliance
Organization(s)
AHFA
Publication Date
Regulatory Compliance Toolbox by the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) concerning health, safety, environmental, fashion and business information related to home furnishings.

WaterSense Specification for Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Webpage describing specification requirements including checklist that establishes the criteria for water-efficient homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program.

California Residential Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage containing the latest version of the California Residential Code.

ACCA Manual S - Residential Equipment Selection

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Link to the most recent version of ACCA Manual S, a standard covering sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as how to use comprehensive manufacturer’s performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.

ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Link to the most recent version of ACCA Manual J, a standard for producing HVAC equipment sizing loads for single-family detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condominiums, townhouses, and manufactured home

ACCA Manual D - Residential Duct Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Link to the most recent version of ACCA Manual D, a standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.

FEMA Title 44 CFR § 60.3(e)(7))

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
FEMA guidance for flood damage in areas prone to flooding.

Whole Home Tankless Gas Water Heaters

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Wepage providing information on ENERGY STAR certified gas tankless water heaters with information on how they cut water heating expenses as well as a product finder tool to find ENERGY STAR certified products.

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Website with all versions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC), code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

International Building Code (IBC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage providing all versions of the International Building Code (IBC) which is code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to...

Standard for testing Airtightness of Building Enclosures, Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems, and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems, ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380

Author(s)
International Code Council,
Residential Energy Services Network,
American National Standards Institute
Organization(s)
ICC,
RESNET,
ANSI
Publication Date
Webpage containing the latest version of ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380, Standard for testing Airtightness of Building Enclosures, Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems, and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems. This standard provides a consistent, uniform methodology for evaluating...

Energy Efficiency Standards

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Website describing analyses for products and standards affecting home heating, cooling, and appliances, in regards to technical, economical, and energy efficiency pathways.

Florida Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC,
FBC
Publication Date
Webpage containing links to all editions of the Florida Building Code.

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Standards

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Webpage containing technical manuals and standards from ACCA, covering design, installation and maintenance for residential and light commercial HVAC systems and providing technical guidance in the indoor environment industry.

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standards

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Webpage showing standards developed by ASHRAE that define the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. Additional technical guidance is provided on...

Air Barrier Association of America (ABBA) Standards

Author(s)
Air Barrier Association of America
Organization(s)
ABBA
Publication Date
Wepage by ABBA providing standards concerning air barrier assemblies, divided into building assemblies for walls, roofs and foundations and sub-divided into specific types of walls, roofs and foundations. Air barrier assemblies are made up of air barrier materials and connected with air barrier...

ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Publication Date
Webpage with links to documents providing the program requirements and checklists for ENERGY STAR Certification of New Single-Family Homes, Muti-Family Buildings, and Manufactured Homes.

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Author(s)
U.S. International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage describing current and past versions of the International Mechanical Code (IMC), code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related...

International Residential Code (IRC)

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Webpage containing all editions of the International Residential Code (IRC), 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...

National Electric Code (NEC)

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
This standard provides a benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards and has been adopted in all 50 states.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
U.S. DOE
Publication Date
Webpage describing requirements for ZERH Certification by building type, including efficiency and performance criteria.

Better Ventilation – Solutions for Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
BE-Ex
Organization(s)
Building Energy Exchange
Publication Date
Article describing the common ventilation system types, issues, and solutions in New York City's multifamily residential buildings to improve indoor air quality, occupant health, and building durability.

Sizing a New Water Heater

Author(s)
US Department of Energy
Organization(s)
U.S. DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet describing how to select a properly sized water heater based on household usage patterns, peak demand, and heater type—whether tankless, solar, or storage-based—to ensure efficiency and adequate hot water supply.

Hot Water Solutions: Buyer's Guide

Author(s)
Hot Water Solutions NW
Organization(s)
HWS NW
Publication Date
Guide describing how to choose energy-efficient water heaters, including heat pump models, with tips on installation, rebates, and incentives for maximizing energy savings.

ENERGY STAR NextGen Program Requirements

Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR website outlining the program requirements for NextGen, an EPA initiative aimed at advancing energy efficiency in residential construction.

The HPWH Handbook: American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy 2018 Summer Study on Buildings

Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
Larson Ben
Organization(s)
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Publication Date
Conference proceedings from the 2018 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings that highlights efforts to expand energy efficiency adoption, address barriers across market sectors, and introduce a new focus on energy equity for underserved communities.

Tips for Weatherstripping Windows and Doors

Author(s)
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Organization(s)
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Publication Date
Article describing tips for effectively installing weatherstripping on windows and doors.

Weatherstripping

Author(s)
South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
Organization(s)
South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
Publication Date
Article describing an overview of weatherstripping requirements.

ACCA Approved Software

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Webpage listing ACCA Manual J and D calculation software that is approved by ACCA.