BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Radiant Barrier: Effect of Radiant Barriers on Heating and Cooling Bills

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Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

High-R Walls for New Construction Structural Performance: Wind Pressure Testing

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Report with test results that serve as a baseline of data for further material tests of other high-R wall systems and for comparison to whole-house wind pressure testing.

Performance Evaluation and Opportunity Assessment for St. Bernard Project

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Report providing information about improving the energy efficiency and long-term durability of the buildings that are being reconstructed post Katrina in New Orleans.

Survey of Whole House Programs in Midwestern Climates

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Research study making several recommendations to whole-home program designers and implementers for improving the cost effectiveness and reach of whole-home programs.

Strategy Guideline: Partnering for High Performance Homes

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Document serving as a starting point that features initial tools and resources for teams to start collaborating to continually improve the energy efficiency and durability of new houses.

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

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Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

Preliminary Performance Evaluation of a Near Zero Energy Home in Callaway, Florida

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Report reviewing the design and the first four months of energy performance of a near zero energy project home in Callaway, Florida during the second half of 2008.

High Performance Home Building Guide for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

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Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.

Occupant-in-Place Energy Efficiency Retrofit in a Group Home for 30% Energy Savings in Climate Zone 4

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Report studying the specification, implementation, and energy savings from an EER in a group home, with an energy savings goal of 30%.

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.

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

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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

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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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

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

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

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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

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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.

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

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

High-R Walls for New Construction Structural Performance: Integrated Rim Header Testing

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Report providing testing methodology to evaluate structural rim header designs over openings up to 6 ft. wide and applicable to one- and two-story homes.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Serenbe Nest Cottages

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Report describing construction of test homes in Atlanta, GA meeting Building America savings targets and serving as a basis of design for other homes Martin Dodson plans to build within the Serenbe community.

Building America Special Research Project - High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

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Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.

The Performance House - A Cold Climate Challenge Home

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Report about seeking a 30% source energy savings targets over a comparable 2009 International Energy Conservation Code-built home in the cold climate zone, using simple measures.

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

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