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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Research-to-Market Approach

Building America's residential systems research tasks are designed to evaluate performance and achieve market acceptance of energy efficiency measures through a three-step approach:

  1. Individual measures research
  2. Whole-house assessment
  3. Community-scale implementation and verification

Learn more about the Building America research planning process.

This diagram shows the linear relationship between cost and performance tradeoffs, measure research, whole-house assessment, community scale verification and stakeholder engagement. To the left is a box labeled cost and performance tradeoffs, with arrows to and from boxes labeled "measure research," "whole-house assessment," and "community scale verification." To the right of these is a box labeled "Stakeholder engagement" with arrows pointing to and from the three boxes.

Evaluation at these different levels validates the reliability, cost-effectiveness, and marketability of packages of energy measures when integrated in both new production housing and groups of existing homes.

1. Measure Research

One of the most important and fundamental concepts of building science is the emphasis on system interaction. However, before Building America researchers can approach this complex problem, each individual energy efficiency component is studied separately. Common research questions for this step can include:

  • What is the performance of this technology under different conditions that represent climate extremes?
  • What are the most effective ways to ensure proper moisture management related to this technology?
  • Which control strategy is best for each situation: single family, attached housing, or multifamily?

Individual measure research can be conducted in either a lab facility or a test home, depending how mature the technology is and what specifically is being investigated.

2. Whole-House Assessments

If a technology passes Building America's robust tests in health, safety, durability, and cost-effective energy savings, it will progress to whole-house assessments. Whole-house research uses occupied or unoccupied homes to test the interactions of specified packages of measures before moving to community-scale implementation.

This step in the research process focuses heavily on system interaction. For example, changing the air-tightness of a home can affect the space conditioning system's efficiency. Common research questions for this step can include:

  • How has the performance for each system changed now that they are working with or against each other?
  • Are there any moisture issues now that the house is 30%-50% more energy efficient?

Throughout the design and construction phases, the team examines the interaction between the building site, envelope, mechanical systems, and energy-use factors to identify additional savings. Any money saved provides an opportunity to invest in improved energy performance and product quality.

3. Community-Scale Verification

Once the design of a test home has been optimized in terms of quality, energy use, and cost effectiveness, it is ready for production level or community scale verification. When working in large scale, installation techniques become the driver for success. Quality levels are no longer determined by the researchers, but by the watchful eye of the trades people actually installing the product in the field. This step tests a group of measures for feasible installation and market acceptance.

Research questions at this step include:

  • How do the trades react to this new technology package?
  • What are the additional cost benefits of the package when processed at a larger scale?
  • What are the large scale risks associated with the technology?

Stakeholder Engagement

During each of these steps, Building America invites feedback from industry stakeholders to ensure the research results are marketable. Stakeholders include:

  • Building industry professionals such as engineers, contractors, architects, energy auditors, installers, raters, and code inspectors
  • Equipment manufacturers and suppliers
  • Homeowners
  • Utilities
  • Financial institutions
  • Federal, state, and local governments
  • Industry and technical organizations
  • Researchers and students
  • Realtors
  • Affordable housing advocates.

Each stakeholder plays an important role in the ultimate goal of incorporating high levels of energy efficiency into homes across the United States.

Building America hosts meetings several times each year with industry stakeholders to provide a forum for research and communication related to various aspects of residential building research. Get involved! Visit the meetings website to view presentations and reports from past meetings and to learn about upcoming events.