Publications

NREL publishes a variety of documents related to its research, including technical reports, brochures, and presentations. Read the information below to find out how to find a publication about buildings research at NREL.

• Accessing Research Papers
• Buildings Technical Highlights
• Research Papers — Commercial
• Research Papers — Residential

Accessing Buildings Research Documents

Documents produced by NREL related to buildings technologies may be accessed online in several different ways.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Publications Database

The NREL Publications Database covers building technology documents written or edited by NREL staff and subcontractors from 1977 to the present. The database includes technical reports as well as outreach publications such as brochures and fact sheets. Coverage is nearly complete for NREL technical reports, less so but still extensive for journal articles and subcontract reports. NREL reports published from 1999 to the present are available as full text PDFs.

DOE Information Bridge

This publications database is similar to the NREL Publications Database, but covers the entire U.S. Department of Energy system, thus including buildings documents produced by other DOE national laboratories. It has a growing collection of full text documents from 1995 forward.

Buildings Technical Highlights

NREL Enables Efficient Data Exchange for Home Performance Companies (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights in Research & Development. NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2014). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-61007.

NREL and Industry Advance Low-Cost Solar Water Heating R&D (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights in Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2014). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-62107.

Lab Tests Demonstrate Effectiveness of Advanced Power Strips (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2013). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-59171.

NREL Develops Method to Evaluate Accuracy of Home Energy Scoring Tool (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2013). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-58147.

NREL Launches Collaborative Resource for Field Test Best Practices (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2013). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-59168.

NREL Solves Residential Window Air Conditioner Performance Limitations (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2013). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-58148.

Advanced Energy Design Guides Slash Energy Use in Schools and Retail Buildings by 50% (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54252.

Improving Building Energy Simulation Programs Through Diagnostic Testing (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54093.

National Residential Efficiency Measures Database Aimed at Reducing Risk for Residential Retrofit Industry (Fact Sheet). Building America: Technical Highlight, Building Technologies Program (BTP). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-50521; DOE/GO-102012-3229.

NREL Delivers In-Home HVAC Efficiency Testing Solutions (Fact Sheet). Building America: Technical Highlight, Building Technologies Program (BTP). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-53735; DOE/GO-102012-3491.

NREL Demonstrates Game-Changing Air Conditioner Technology (Fact Sheet), Highlights in Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), (2012). 11 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-57168.

NREL Develops Heat Pump Water Heater Simulation Model (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012) 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54848.

NREL Documents Efficiency of Mini-Split Heat Pumps (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54846.

NREL Evaluates Performance of Heat Pump Water Heaters (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54096.

NREL Evaluates Thermal Performance of Uninsulated Walls to Improve Accuracy of Building Energy Simulation Tools (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54094.

NREL's Field Data Repository Supports Accurate Home Energy Analysis (Fact Sheet). Building America: Technical Highlight, Building Technologies Program (BTP). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54026; DOE/GO-102012-3513.

NREL Improves Window Heat Transfer Calculations (Fact Sheet), Highlights in Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), (2012). 1 pg. NREL Report No. FS-5500-55576.

NREL Provides Guidance to Improve Air Mixing and Thermal Comfort in Homes (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54095.

NREL Tests Dehumidifiers, Defines Simplified Simulation Model (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-54845.

Solar Water Heater Roadmap Leads Path to Market Expansion (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development. NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2012). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-550-54847.

Evaluation of Humidity Control Options in Hot-Humid Climate Homes (Fact Sheet). Building America: Technical Highlight, Building Technologies Program (BTP). (2011). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-50671; DOE/GO-102011-3235.

Layering Mismatched Lattices Creates Long-Sought-After Green Light-Emitting Diode (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Science, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2011). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5900-50859.

New Version of BEopt Software Provides Analysis Capabilities for Existing Homes (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development. NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2011). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-51416.

NREL Develops Diagnostic Test Cases to Improve Building Energy Simulation Programs (Fact Sheet). Building America: Technical Highlight, Building Technologies Program (BTP). (2011). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-50522; DOE/GO-102011-3230.

NREL Technical Reports Guide the Way to 50% Energy Savings in Hospitals, Office Buildings (Fact Sheet). NREL Highlights, Research & Development, NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory). (2011). 1 pg.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-50861.

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Commercial Technical Publications

NREL has produced many papers related to building design and performance. A listing of key recent documents is below. More NREL commercial publications are available in the Building Technologies Program Commercial Buildings Resource Database.

Fleming, K.; Long, N.; Swindler, A. (2012). Building Component Library: An Online Repository to Facilitate Building Energy Model Creation; Preprint. 14 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-54710.

Hendron, B. (2012). Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide: Practical Ways to Improve Energy Performance; Grocery Stores. 212 pp.; NREL Report No. BK-5500-54243; DOE/GO-102012-3655.

Langner, R.; Deru, M.; Zhivov, A.; Liesen, R.; Herron, D. (2012). Extremely Low-Energy Design for Army Buildings: Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility; Preprint. 20 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-53810.

Pless, S.; Torcellini, P. (2012). Controlling Capital Costs in High Performance Office Buildings:  A Review of Best Practices for Overcoming Cost Barriers. 19 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-55264.

Deru, M.; Field, K.; Studer, D.; Benne, K.; Griffith, B.; Torcellini, P.; Liu, B.; Halverson, M.; Winiarski, D.; Rosenberg, M.; Yazdanian, M.; Huang, J.; Crawley, D. (2011). U.S. Department of Energy BCOM Reference Building Models of the National Building Stock. 118 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-46861.

Hirsch, A.; Hale, E.; Leach, M. (2011). Strategies to Save 50% Site Energy in Grocery and General Merchandise Stores. 16 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-48197.

Kozubal, E.; Woods, J.; Burch, J.; Boranian, A.; Merrigan, T. (2011). Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative Air-Conditioning (DEVap): Evaluation of a New Concept in Ultra Efficient Air Conditioning. 71 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-49722.

Leach, M.; Lobato, C.; Hirsch, A.; Pless, S.; Torcellini, P. (2010). Technical Support Document: Strategies for 50% Energy Savings in Large Office Buildings. 163 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-550-49213.

Bonnema, E.; Doebber, I.; Pless, S.; Torcellini, P. (2010). Technical Support Document: Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities—30% Guide. 212 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-550-46314.

Bonnema, E.; Studer, D.; Parker, A.; Pless, S.; Torcellini, P. (2010). Large Hospital 50% Energy Savings: Technical Support Document. 188 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-550-47867.

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Residential Technical Publications

NREL has produced numerous research papers in partnership with the DOE's Building America Program. Listed below are some key documents published recently. You may also search for NREL documents on the Building America Document Database.

Booten, C. (2013). Homeowner's Guide to Window Air Conditioner Installation for Efficiency and Comfort (Fact Sheet), Building America Case Study: Technology Solutions for Existing Homes, Building Technologies Office (BTO). (2013). 2 pp.; NREL Report No. FS-5500-58187; DOE/GO-102013-3920.

Gestwick, M. (2013). Building America Systems Integration Research Annual Report: FY 2012. 173 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-58018; DOE/GO-102013-3917.

Roberts, D.; Lay, K. (2013). Variability in Measured Space Temperatures in 60 Homes. 70 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-58059.

Sparn, B.; Earle, L.; Christensen, D.; Maguire, J.; Wilson, E.; Hancock, E. (2013). Field Monitoring Protocol: Heat Pump Water Heaters. 43 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-57698.

Woods, J.; Kozubal, E. (2013). Desiccant-Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioner: Numerical Model and Experiments. Energy Conversion and Management. Vol. 65, January 2013; pp. 208-220; NREL Report No. JA-5500-56533.

Woods, J.; Winkler, J.; Christensen, D. (2013). Evaluation of the Effective Moisture Penetration Depth Model for Estimating Moisture Buffering in Buildings. 33 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-57441

Burch, J. (2012). Realistic Hot Water Draw Specification for Rating Solar Water Heaters: Preprint. 10 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-54539.

Engebrecht-Metzger, C.; Wilson, E.; Horowitz, S. (2012). Addendum to the Building America House Simulation Protocols. 36 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-57450; DOE/GO-102012-3855.

Hudon, K.; Merrigan, T.; Burch, J.; Maguire, J. (2012). Low-Cost Solar Water Heating Research and Development Roadmap. 122 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-54793.

Kozubal, E.; Woods, J.; Judkoff, R. (2012). Development and Analysis of Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioner Prototype. 78 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-54755.

Roberts, D.; Merket, N.; Polly, B.; Heaney, M.; Casey, S.; Robertson, J. (2012). Assessment of the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Energy Scoring Tool. 90 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-54074.

Sparn, B.; Hudon, K.; Earle, L.; Booten, C.; Tabares-Velasco, P. C.; Barker, G.; Hancock, C. E. (2012). Greenbuilt Retrofit Test House Final Report. 81 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-54009.

Tabares-Velasco, P. C. (2012). Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of PCM When Applied into Building Envelope: Preprint. 10 pp.; NREL Report No. CP-5500-54245

Tabares-Velasco, P. C.; Christensen, C.; Bianchi, M. (2012). Verification and Validation of EnergyPlus Phase Change Material Model for Opaque Wall Assemblies. Building and Environment. Vol. 54, August 2012; pp. 186-196; NREL Report No. JA-5500-54019.

Christensen, D.; Fang, X.; Tomerlin, J.; Winkler, J.; Hancock, E. (2011). Field Monitoring Protocol: Mini-Split Heat Pumps. 38 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-49881; DOE/GO-102011-3227.

Fang, X.; Winkler, J.; Christensen, D. (2011). Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes. HVAC&R Research. Vol. 17(3), 2011; pp. 268-283; NREL Report No. JA-5500-52448.

Judkoff, R.; Polly, B.; Bianchi, M.; Neymark, J.; Kennedy, M. (2011). Building Energy Simulation Test for Existing Homes (BESTEST-EX): Instructions for Implementing the Test Procedure, Calibration Test Reference Results, and Example Acceptance-Range Criteria. 32 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-52414.

Polly, B.; Gestwick, M.; Bianchi, M.; Anderson, R.; Horowitz, S.; Christensen, C.; Judkoff, R. (2011). Method for Determining Optimal Residential Energy Efficiency Retrofit Packages. 79 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-50572; DOE/GO-102011-3261.

Polly, B.; Kruis, N.; Roberts, D. (2011). Assessing and Improving the Accuracy of Energy Analysis for Residential Buildings. 41 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-50865; DOE/GO-102011-3243.

Sparn, B.; Hudon, K.; Christensen, D. (2011). Laboratory Performance Evaluation of Residential Integrated Heat Pump Water Heaters. 77 pp.; NREL Report No. TP-5500-52635.

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