Disaster Resistance -
Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is the cause of more deaths than any other natural disaster type in the United States. Select the building components listed below to see guides that provide detailed information on making your home more resistant to extreme heat.
Description
Overview guide providing background information on extreme heat in the United States as it relates to homes and links to guides describing specific ways to make homes more resistant to extreme heat.
Description
Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.
Description
Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.
Description
Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.
Roofs
Description
Information guide providing links to guides describing specific ways to air seal, insulate, and ventilate attics and roofs to minimize heat gain in new and existing homes.
Description
Guide providing information on how cool roofing and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofing and wall cladding products.
Attics / Ceilings
Description
Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
Description
Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.
Description
Information guide describing how to calculate attic passive ventilation with example calculations.
Description
Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.
Description
Guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.
Walls
Description
Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.
Description
Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides describing ways to air seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.
Windows
Description
Guide describing various methods of shading and solar control to reduce heat gain through windows.
Description
Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.
Description
Guide providing information on interior and exterior window attachments for shading, glare control, noise control, protection from high winds, privacy, and reduced heat loss in winter.
Description
Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.
Description
Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.
Doors
Description
Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.
Description
Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.
Operations
Equipment
Description
Guide describing compression cooling air conditioning systems for space cooling.
Description
Guide describing the split system heat pumps used for central forced air heating and cooling.
Description
Guide describing ductless heat pump systems used for single-room or whole-house heating and cooling.
Description
Guide providing information about ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps including an overview of technology and guidance on compliance and installation.
Description
This guide describes evaporative cooling technologies which can be used to cool homes in dry climates.
Description
This measure guide describes basic steps for installing ceiling fans.
Description
Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce energy loss, and how to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.
Description
This guide describes the uses, selection process, and specification of high-MERV filters.
Description
Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.
Description
Information guide describing options and considerations for installing a generator for backup power in case of temporary power outages.
Description
This guide describes home stationary battery storage and associated electric panel and equipment needed to safely supply electricity during a blackout. As homes become increasingly reliant on electricity for cooking, water heating, and space conditioning, a blackout becomes more disruptive. These...