BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

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

Retrofitting Las Vegas: Implementing Energy Efficiency in Two Las Vegas Test Homes

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Report about cost effective energy-efficient upgrades that can be implemented in the hot, dry Southwest climate.

Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding - A Guide for Communities, FEMA 511

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Report from FEMA on how to reduce damage from localized flooding including planning, drainage, building codes and retrofits, and regulations.

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

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

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

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

Distribution and Room Air Mixing Risks to Retrofitted Homes

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Report outlining the issues with using existing ducts with a new low-load HVAC system, which reduces throw at supply registers causing decreased mixing of supply and room air, leading to potential thermal comfort complaints.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

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

Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany New York

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Case study about a structural sheathing product composed of enhanced EPS rigid foam with OSB adhered on one side.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

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

Expert Meeting Report: Windows Options for New and Existing Homes

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Expert meeting report aimed at a greater understanding of the windows research that Building America partners and national laboratories are engaged in to help professionals and consumers choose best practice strategies.

West Village Student Housing Phase I: Apartment Monitoring and Evaluation

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Report assessing the performance and cost-effectiveness of a zero net energy community project in Davis, CA.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

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The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Moisture Durability of Vapor Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing research about using exterior, vapor permeable insulation of retrofit walls with vapor permeable cavity insulation.

Technology Fact Sheet Slab Insulation: Improve Comfort and Save Energy in Homes with Slab-on-Grade Floors

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Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.

Field Monitoring Protocol: Mini-Split Heat Pumps

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Information sheet with an analysis of mini split heat pump systems.

Expert Meeting Report: Energy Savings You Can Bank On

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Expert meeting on the topic of performance guarantees and financing vehicles for energy efficiency upgrades.

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

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

Calculating Design Heating Loads for Superinsulated Buildings, Ithaca NY

Case Study

Case study describing heating loads for super-insulated buildings.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

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Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

Quality Assurance Strategy for Existing Homes: Final Quality Management Primer for High Performing Homes

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Report designed to help a builder understand quality management and its role in transitioning from conventional to HPH building and remodeling.

Home Energy Displays: Consumer Adoption and Response

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Research study investigating the factors influencing consumer adoption of HEDs and evaluating the resulting electricity consumption.

Example Procedures for Developing Acceptance-Range Criteria for BESTEST-EX

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Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.

Revisions to the SRCC Rating Process for Solar Water Heaters

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Document discussing changes in testing the annual performance ratings for solar water heaters.

Residential Feedback Devices and Programs: Opportunities for Natural Gas

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Report aimed at gaining a better understanding about benefits, challenges and technologies associated with natural gas feedback systems.

Retrofitting Combined Space and Water Heating Systems: Laboratory Tests

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Report presenting results of a laboratory experiment studying combi systems as a mode to eliminate safety issues associated with natural draft appliances.

Measure Guideline: Installing Rigid Foam Insulation on the Interior of Existing Brick Walls

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Information sheet providing information on installing Rigid XPS foam board insulation to existing brick masonry walls.

Strategy Guideline: High Performance Residential Lighting

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Document offering methods to greatly reduce lighting energy use through the application of high quality fluorescent and light emitting diode (LED) technologies.

Building Science Corporation (BSC) Building America Quality Control Checklist, GM-0802

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Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312

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Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.

Impact of Pilot Light Modeling on the Predicted Annual Performance of Residential Gas Water Heaters

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Journal article presenting modeling of residential gas water heaters via dynamic simulation models to determine the effect of the pilot light on their annual energy consumption.