Library
This library contains research produced by the Building America program and building science references used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
Standard containing the 2001 administrative regulations relating to building energy efficiency that applies to all residential and nonresidential buildings in California.
Document intended to help owners, designers, builders, inspectors, examiners, and energy consultants comply with and enforce California’s energy efficiency standards for low-rise residential buildings.
Building code for the state of Florida.
Document intended to help owners, designers, builders, inspectors, examiners, and energy consultants comply with and enforce California’s 2008 energy efficiency standards for low-rise residential buildings.
Code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial businesses.
Document intended to help graphically demonstrate the air leakage provisions of section 402.4 of the 2009 IECC.
Code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial businesses.
Code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial businesses.
Code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes and commercial businesses.
Code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.
Report discussing opportunities and trends in the home performance industry, along with market drivers such as consumer demand; federal, state, and local programs; and utility and non-governmental programs.
Document describing advancement in factory built housing innovations.
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.
Information sheet about unvented fireplaces and combustion safety.
Standards book discussing changes, additions and enhancements over the 5th edition of the AABC National Standards for Total System Balance.
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condominiums, town houses and manufactured homes.
The manual covers residential zoning issues - multiple, single-zone, and central multi-zone systems - and includes advice on working with homeowners to adapt the heating or cooling system design to meet modern home design features.
Standard covering sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as how to use comprehensive manufacturer’s performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.
Standard providing guidance on how to select, size, and locate the supply air diffusers, grilles and registers, and the return grilles.
Standard providing nationally recognized, manufacturer-endorsed set of inspection tasks for HVAC maintenance.
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.
Document detailing the requirements, roles, and obligations for participants in an organized effort, ensuring that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5 QI – 2010 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) QI Standard.
Standards criteria supporting ICC HVAC duct support standards.
Standard providing industry-backed information for assessing new and existing HVAC systems, evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of HVAC system components, preventing job related hazards and guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness.
Standard for use and reference by designers, architects, engineers, contractors, installers and users for evaluating, selecting, specifying and properly installing flexible duct in heating and air conditioning systems.
Standard that sets forth the specific methods of testing flexible air ducts used for indoor comfort heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications.
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.
Report investigating implemention of advanced power strips for entertainment and home office electronics would reduce energy consumption across the residential market.
Document providing guideance and considerations for duct design in an energy efficient house.
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.
Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.
Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.
In multifamily and attached buildings, traditional duct sealing methods are often impractical or costly and disruptive because of the difficulty in accessing leakage sites. In this project, two retrofit duct sealing techniques - manually-applied sealants and injecting a spray sealant, were implemented in several low-rise multi-unit buildings....
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.
Brochure about air sealing windows.
Web resource with information for consumers about air source heat pumps.
Research report describing study of interior and exterior air sealing techniques to stop ice dams in five 1.5-story retrofit homes conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Report with updated energy consumption data for 28 residential & commercial miscellaneous electric loads (MELs), including projections to 2040.
Report outlining workflow and results of regression models on monthly and daily utility data (meter readings of electricity consumption), outlining a process for screening and gathering useful results from inverse models.