BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

The Importance of a Continuous Load Path

Video

Video illustrating the importance of a properly installed continuous load path in homes for the home's structural integrity including where and how to properly install bracing measures per IBHS FORTIFIED Home specifications.

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Amaris Homes, Oakgreen Model, Afton, MN

Case Study

Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom spec home in the cold climate that used a high efficiency 98 AFUE gas furnace, 5-stage 19 SEER heat pump, LED lighting, ENERGY STAR appliances, smart thermostats and lighting, and automated window...

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study: Mantell-Hecathorn Builders, Tahoe Inspired Home, Durango, CO

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom for buyer home in the cold climate that used triple-pane windows, a hydronic radiant floor heating system, an electric vehicle charging station, and 7.3kW of rooftop-mounted solar panels to achieve a HERS...

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, WestRidge 3-Story Rowhomes, Denver, CO

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning attached housing home in the cold climate that used high insulation levels in the attic, walls, and under the slab, with ENERGY STAR appliances, and solar PV panels to achieve a HERS score of 29 with PV and 50...

Feasibility of Foundation Heat Exchangers for Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in the United States

Reference

Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

Method of Test for Determining the Design and Seasonal Efficiencies of Residential Thermal Distribution Systems, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 152-2014

Reference

Standard that prescribes a testing method to determine the efficiency of space heating and/or cooling thermal distribution systems under seasonal and design conditions. This version of the standard was published in the year 2014, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The...

Why We Need to Know More About Basement Moisture

Reference

Conference paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings describing moisture from basements and crawlspaces as a source of indoor humidity and providing recommendations for finishing below-grade spaces to limit potential indoor...

FEMA Comparison of Select NFIP & Building Code Requirements for Special Flood Hazard Areas

Reference

Documents describing the similarities and differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, a standard referenced by the I-Codes., and illustrating...

Turning Off Residential Water

Video

This video demonstrates how to easily turn off the residential water valve and the importance of doing so before or after a disaster. For more preparedness videos in Spanish, Russian, Khmer, Vietnamese, Korean, or Chinese, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/EMDPrepare/playlists.

Securing your water heater

Video

This video discusses why it is important to secure a water heater, and then it demonstrates how one can do it themselves. For more preparedness videos in Spanish, Russian, Khmer, Vietnamese, Korean, or Chinese, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/EMDPrepare/playlists.

Novel, Simplified Air Delivery System Design Gets Commercialized

Reference

Fact sheet describing a novel, simplified air delivery system using a plug-and-play model that features 3-inch diameter flexible ducts, efficient fittings, and a simplified installation process that resulted in successful market engagement through commercialization.

The Energy In Modular (EMOD) Buildings Method, A Guide To Energy-Efficient Design For Industrialized Construction Of Modular Buildings

Reference

Report describing use of the Energy in Modular (EMOD) method to design, produce, and deliver affordable, net-zero energy, low-carbon, and healthier buildings through industrialized (factory) construction of modular buildings; modeling of whole buildings and subassemblies of components, pods, panels...

Distributed Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings

Guide

Guide describing strategies for effectively deploying integrated consumer heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in multifamily buildings.

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy-efficient retrofits.

Whole-House Fans

Guide

Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce air leakage, and ways to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.

Low-Slope ("Flat") Roofs

Guide

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls, ASTM E1677-11

Reference

Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...

Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster, ASTM C 926-23

Reference

Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2023, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster, ASTM C 926-22c

Reference

Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2022, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Case Study

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

CAD File

The Performance Check Between Whole Building Thermal Performance Criteria and Exterior Wall Measured Clear Wall R-Value, Thermal Bridging, thermal mass and airtightness

Reference

Paper that illustrates a performance check between the thermal performance of a Massive Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) wall system mocked up and Whole Building Performance criteria such as total space heating and cooling loads (thermal comfort).

IoT-Based Comfort Control and Fault Diagnostics System for Energy-Efficient Homes

Reference

Research report discussing the reduction of HVAC energy consumption to meet U.S. greenhouse gas targets and DOE's energy-efficient building goals. It introduces iComfort, an IoT-based system for optimizing home comfort and energy savings.

Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017

Reference

Standard establishing a test procedure for evaluating the performance of air-cleaning devices as a function of particle size. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2017, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The ASHRAE bookstore also...

Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or Assemblies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls, ASTM E1677-19

Reference

Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...

Standard Test Method for Steady-State Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus, ASTM C518-21

Reference

Test method providing a rapid means of determining the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is...

Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants, ASTM C920-18

Reference

Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...

DOE ZERH HIA 2015 Case Study Poster: Mandalay Homes, The Dells at Cathedral Point, Prescott, AZ

Case Study

Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2016 Housing Innovation Award winning production home in the mixed-dry climate that used 2x6 24-inch on-center walls, with R-17 spray foam in cavities + R-4 continuous rigid foam exterior, an unvented attic with R-25 open-cell foam insulation...

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Bellingham Bay Builders, La Pedrera Net Zero Residence, Anacortes, WA

Case Study

Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom home in the cold climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center advanced framed walls, R-66 unvented attic insulation, and a 36 SEER mini-split heat pump to achieve a HERS score of -8 with PV and 42...

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: United Way of Long Island, Net Positive All Electric Home, Deer Park, NY

Case Study

Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning affordable home in the mixed-humid climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center R-33 wall insulation, triple-pane windows and both ductless and ducted mini-split heat pumps to achieve a HERS score of -2 with...