BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Energy Savings and Breakeven Costs for Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters in the United States

Reference

Report investigating performance and energy savings potential of heat pump water heaters.

Report: 56th & Walnut - A Philly Gut Rehab Development

Reference

Report researching cost- effective solution packages for significant energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements masonry multifamily urban buildings.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit (DEER) for Zero Energy House (ZERH) Flat Roofs

Reference

This Measure Guideline provides design and construction information for a deep energy enclosure retrofit solution of a flat roof assembly.

Sealed Crawl Spaces with Integrated Whole-House Ventilation in a Cold Climate

Reference

Report on hybrid ventilation methods for insulated and sealed crawl spaces.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Reference

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Reference

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Evaluation of Early Performance Results for Massachusetts Homes in the National Grid Pilot Deep Energy Retrofit Programs

Reference

Report summarizing post-retrofit results for 13 existing homes in a deep energy retrofit pilot program.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Kit Home Retrofit, Kalamazoo MI

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1940s kit home in Kalamazoo MI that included adding 1 inch of rigid polyisocyanurate insulation while replacing siding the vinyl siding to the home.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Cedar Siding Retrofit, Bellingham, WA

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1970s cedar-sided home in Bellingham WA that included adding 2 inches of cork insulation while replacing the existing cedar siding.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

Reference

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide

Guide describing how to complete remove and replace a window in an existing home.

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

Reference

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.

Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of PCM When Applied into Building Envelope

Reference

Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.

Investigating Solutions to Wind Washing Issues in 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1

Reference

Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Sealed Crawl Space with Integrated Whole-House Ventilation in a Cold Climate

Case Study

Case study describing methods to seal crawl spaces in cold climate homes with integrated whole-house ventilation systems.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Reference

Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Byggmeister Test Home: Analysis and Initial Results of Cold Climate Wood-Framed Home Retrofit

Reference

Report describing a deep energy retrofit project for a two-family wood framed home located in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

Reference

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Reaching for Peak Performance in Existing Homes - A Cold Climate Study With Synergy Construction

Reference

Research study about two test homes that are examined with the goal of providing case studies that could be applied to other similar New England homes.

Fort Benning Indianhead Townhome Renovations

Reference

Report outlining the energy upgrade package implemented in Ft. Benning, GA, Indianhead Townhomes project and the findings of the Southface Energy Institute's post-renovation analysis.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

Reference

Report on high-R wall design called extended plate and beam that uses foam sheathing insulation with wall framing.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Railroad Renovation, Jackson MS

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1950s bungaloo home in Jackson MS that included adding 1 inch of rigid XPS insulation while replacing aluminum siding with vinyl siding on the home.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Vinyl over Stucco, Long Island NY

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1920s home in Long Island NY that included adding 1 inch of rigid foam insulation over existing stucco and covering with vinyl siding on the home.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: SMUD's 32nd Avenue Remodel Demonstration Program, Sacramento, CA

Case Study

Case study describing a retrofit project in the marine climate.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Reference

Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Energy Retrofit Field Study and Best Practices in a Hot-Humid Climate

Reference

Research study examining efficiency retrofit opportunities, typical renovation practices, and pathways for achieving U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) goals for existing homes in Florida.

Energy Savings Measure Packages: Existing Homes

Reference

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.

Predicting Envelope Leakage in Attached Dwellings

Reference

Research study exploring a test method measuring air leakage between units through common surfaces and air infiltration across exterior, noncommon surfaces of the enclosure.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

Reference

Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

Reference

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.