Building America Research Tools
Building America provides technical tools to support researchers and building industry professionals in ensuring consistent research results for new and existing homes. The following resources can be used to evaluate optimal building designs, access performance and cost data, execute field tests, and track research progress.
Building Energy Optimization Software (BEopt): This software provides capabilities to evaluate residential building designs and identify cost-optimal efficiency packages at various levels of whole-house energy savings along the path to zero net energy.
Field Test Best Practices: This website offers guidance on residential building field testing from start to finish, including: planning; selecting equipment, testing, and analyzing the results.
National Residential Efficiency Measures Database: This centralized resource of residential building retrofit measures and associated estimated costs can help software developers and researchers analyze the trade-offs associated with using various energy efficiency measures.
House Simulation Protocols: This report assists in the tracking of progress toward multi-year, whole-building energy reduction research goals for new and existing homes, using a consistent reference point.