Primers

Building Science Primers

Lake Charles, LA ACCA Manual J Calculations — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2006/11/20

BSP-031 ACCA Manual J calculations for the Lake Charles, LA demonstration home. These calculations were prepared to support the energy analysis described in this Primer.

Lake Charles, LA House Drawings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Architectural, structural and electrical plans for the Lake Charles/Creole hot-humid house

New Orleans, LA House Drawings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Archtictural, structural and electrical plans

New Orleans ACCA Manual J Calculations — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Manual J calculations

Haymount, VA House Drawings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Mixed-humid architectural, structural and electrical house plans

Haymount, VA ACCA Manual J Calculations — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Mixed-humid Manual J calculations

Juneau, AK House Drawings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Very cold climate architectural, structural and electrical house plans

Juneau, AK ACCA Manual J Calculations — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Very cold climate Manual J calculations

Pontiac, MI House Drawings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Cold climate architectural, structural and electrical house plans

Pontiac, MI ACCA Manual J Calculations — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/01/29

Cold climate Manual J calculations

BSP-044: READ THIS: Before You Build: Very Cold Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

The "Designs that Work" series of climate-specific case studies were created by Building Science Corporation for the DOE's Building America Program. Each package includes house plans and a design narrative highlighting the applied building science principles.

BSP-045: READ THIS: Before You Build: Cold Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

The "Designs that Work" series of climate-specific studies were created by Building Science Corporation for the DOE's Building America Program. Each package includes house plans and a design narrative hightlighting the applied building science principles.

BSP-047a: READ THIS: Before You Build: Hot-Humid Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

The "Designs that Work" series of climate-specific case studies were created by Building Science Corporation for the DOE's Building America Program. Each package includes house plans and a design narrative highlighting the applied building science principles.

BSP-047b: READ THIS: Before You Build: Hot-Humid Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

The "Designs that Work" series of climate-specific case studies were created by Building Science Corporation for the DOE's Building America Program. Each package includes house plans and a design narrative hightlighting the applied building science principles.

BSP-046: READ THIS: Before You Build: Mixed-Humid Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

The "Designs that Work" series of climate-specific case studies were created by Building Science Corporation for the DOE's Building America Program. Each package includes house plans and a design narrative highlighting the applied building science prinicples.

BSP-040: READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/11/12

Practical recommendations for building, renovating and maintaining healthy and affordable housing.

BSP-040: READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2006/12/21

Download the complete document.

BSP-041: READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2006/12/21

Download the complete document.

BSP-041: READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/09/09

How a unit is turned over and maintained has significant effects on the control of asthma triggers and other indoor and outdoor contaminants.

BSP-050: Sizing heating, cooling and ventilation ducts, trunks, and runouts for energy efficient housing — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/07/23

A design process is laid out for sizing cooling and heating system capacity; for specifying the airflow and duct sizes to each conditioned space; and for specifying the free area needed to transfer air supplied to closed rooms back to the central return.

BSP-060: The Mold Explosion: Why Now? — by Jospeh Lstiburek — last modified 2008/10/24

Today's houses make it easier for mold to find the food and water it needs to thrive. The cure is a quick cleanup and smarter choices in materials.

BSP-061: Small House, Built Right — by Betsy Pettit, FAIA — last modified 2009/08/24

Think $50 per square foot and $50 a month for utilities are unattainable? Government-sponsored research proves otherwise.

BSP-062: The Future of Framing Is Here — by Joseph Lstiburek — last modified 2009/10/27

Smarter strategies can save money, speed construction, improve energy efficiency, and cut down on job-site waste.

BSP-063: Water-Managed Wall Systems — by Joseph Lstiburek — last modified 2008/09/09

Show water to the exit with a well-detailed drainage plane and flashings.

BSP-042: READ THIS: Before You Ventilate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/09/09

Download the complete document to learn about practical recommendations for meeting your ventilation requirements.

BSP-042: READ THIS: Before You Ventilate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2006/12/21

Practical recommendations for meeting your ventilation requirements.

BSP-043: READ THIS: Before You Move In — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/07/30

How you live in your home and how you clean and maintain your home affect the quality of air in your home. Keeping your home clean and dry makes it comfortable and healthy for you and unfriendly and unwelcoming to pests.

BSP-051: Refrigeration System Installation and Startup Procedures, and Air Conditioning Equipment Efficiency — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/09/09

Cooling system performance evaluation using a series of measurements including: air flow, pressures, temperatures, humidity levels, and power draw.

Cold Climate Photograph — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/03/21

 

Designs That Work - Building America Habitat Congress — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2007/07/25

 

Greensburg Banner Link — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/07/25

 

top_banner.jpg — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/07/25

 

Building America: Building Greensburg — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

 

top_banner.jpg — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/07/25

 

bottom_banner.jpg — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/07/25

 

top_banner2.jpg — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/07/25

 

BSC Building America: Greensburg Plan 1 Drawings — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/10/25

The attached pdf file is an example set of house plans for a house in Greensburg, KS. The example plans are provided as part of the Building America Program's support for builders in the Greensburg area. Questions about these plans should be directed to betsy@buildingscience.com

"Building Greensburg" Builder Workshop — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

Each seminar will include a 1/2-day tour of current re-construction projects in Greensburg where participants will learn about and examine best practice construction methods. The field visit will be followed by a 1/2-day in-class training session lead by residential construction experts from Building America project teams. Please note that the curriculum outlined below may change to best suit the registered participants. Interested parties are encouraged to enroll early.

Greensburg Presentation - Building for Energy Efficiency 1 — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

The presentation below was presented at the July 20-21, 2007 Greensburg Housing Resource Fair by Alex Lukachko from Building Science Corporation.

Greensburg Presentation - Building for Energy Efficiency 3 — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

The presentation below was presented at the July 20-21, 2007 Greensburg Housing Resource Fair by Alex Lukachko from Building Science Corporation.

Greensburg Presentation - Building for Energy Efficiency 2 — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

The presentation below was presented at the July 20-21, 2007 Greensburg Housing Resource Fair by Steve Bolibruck from IBACOS.

Greensburg Presentation - Building for Energy Efficiency 4 — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2007/08/31

The presentation below was presented at the July 20-21, 2007 Greensburg Housing Resource Fair by Steve Bolibruck from IBACOS.

BSP-020: Water Management Details for Residential Buildings — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/09/09

Explanation of the concepts of drainage, wetting and drying potential using graphics in relationship to window installations and building envelope penetrations. Also, a special review of in-field installation practices.

BSP-020: Water Management Details for Residential Building — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2008/06/11

Download the report.

BSP-064: Remodeling for Energy Efficiency — by Betsy Pettit — last modified 2008/09/09

Can a 150-year-old house approach zero energy use? Three case studies point the way from the 19th to the 21st century.

Building Materials Property Table — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2008/09/09

This table presents some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

BSP-044: READ THIS: Before You Build: Very Cold Climate — by Building Science Corporation — last modified 2009/08/25

 

Guide to Attic Air Sealing — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2010/02/12

The guide to Guide to Attic Air Sealing provides information and specifications to the following groups: Home remodelers, Builders, Insulation contractors, Mechanical contractors, General contractors who have previously done remodeling, Homeowners as a guide to the work that needs to be done. The order of work to be done during home improvements is important. Health and safety issues must be addressed first and are more important than durability issues. And durability issues are more important than saving energy. Even though the purpose of this guide is to save energy – health, safety and durability should not be compromised by energy efficiency. Accordingly, combustion safety and ventilation for indoor air quality are addressed first. Durability and attic ventilation then follow. Finally, to maximize energy savings, air sealing is completed prior to insulating. This guide is prescriptive-based to minimize risks. Enhanced performance and greater energy savings are possible with performance-based approaches. Performance-based approaches should build on the measures and specifications contained in this guide. Not all techniques can apply to all houses. Special conditions will require special action. Some homeowners will wish to do more than the important but basic retrofit strategies outlined by this guide. Where possible throughout the manual, links have been made to “performance” path solutions that require the judgment and experience of design professionals and specialist skills and experience.

Attic Air Sealing Details — by Alex Lukachko — last modified 2010/02/12

The attached package of attic air sealing details accompanies the "Guide to Attic Air Sealing". The Guide provides the background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability. The "Attic Air Sealing Details" package provides a scope of work and specification for the air sealing of many points of air leakage in common attic spaces. This is a large file with 25 single-sheet details.

BSP-065: Guide to Attic Air Sealing with Details — by Joseph Lstiburek — last modified 2010/02/12

The Guide provides the background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability. The "Attic Air Sealing Details" package provides a scope of work and specification for the air sealing of many points of air leakage in common attic spaces.