BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Energy Savings and Peak Demand Reduction of a SEER 21 Heat Pump vs. a SEER 13 Heat Pump with Attic and Indoor Duct Systems

Reference

Research study describing experiments run in an unoccupied 1600 square foot house to evaluate the delivered performance as well as the relative performance of a SEER 21 variable capacity heat pump versus a SEER 13 heat pump.

Building America Top Innovations 2014: HVAC Cabinet Air Leakage Test Method

Case Study

Case study describing a 2014 DOE Building America Top Innovation on development of a standardized testing method for testing the air leakage of HVAC air handlers and furnace cabinets developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Electric Energy Management in the Smart Home: Perspectives on Enabling Technologies and Consumer Behavior

Reference

Journal article presenting a discussion of the state-of-the- art in electricity management in smart homes, the various enabling technologies that will accelerate this concept, and topics around consumer behavior with respect to energy usage.

Insulating Existing Floors over Garage

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air seal the floor joists over a garage when there is loving space above the garage.

An Integrated Control Method for Supplemental Minisplit Heat Pumps in Existing Homes

Reference

Technical report describing how the FSEC Energy Research Center explores low-cost space-conditioning upgrades for existing homes by integrating centrally located, high-efficiency ductless mini split heat pumps with older but functional central space conditioning systems, aiming to achieve energy...

Measure Guideline: Air Conditioner Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Replacement

Reference

Document providing information on the impact of various defects and the potential energy savings that can result from proper maintenance, and describing a two-step process for diagnosing and correcting faults. This document is targeted towards home performance contractors who are relatively...

Building America Top Innovations 2014: ASHRAE Standard 62.2. Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Building America 2014 Top Innovation on research that was instrumental in developing and gaining adoption of the ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standard.

Insulating Crawl Space Floors in Existing Homes

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Zero Energy-Ready Single-Family Homes

Case Study

Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation about construction of net-zero energy ready homes, by several builders working with various DOE Building America research partners including Steven Winter Associates, Building Science Corporation, Home Innovation Research Labs, IBACOS...

U.S. EPA WaterSense

Reference

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing methods of installing blown insulation in exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

ARIES

Reference

An article profiling the Building America research teams.

Masonry Heater Retrofit

Video

Video describing the design and installation of a masonry heater retrofit project in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Wood Combustion Basics

Reference

Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.

Home Power

Reference

Web article about solar site assessment.

Energy Saver: Laundry

Reference

DOE's consumer information about energy and laundry.

Dimming CFLs and LEDs

Reference

Website discusses differences between CFL and LED bulbs.

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Submetering Introduction

Reference

Resource that provides information about submetering in multi-unit buildings.

Home design and retrofitting techniques for wildfire defense

Video

Video presentation surrounding home design to keep homes safe during fires.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.

Raised-Heel Trusses

Reference

Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.

List of ENERGY STAR Dishwashers

Reference

Resource that provides guidance when choosing dishwashers that meet WaterSense program requirements.

For Homes

Reference

Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Concrete Homes

Reference

Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.

LED Basics - Solid-State Lighting

Reference

Information about LED lighting technology.