Library

A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.

2020 energy efficiency code for the state of Florida.

A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.

Web page describing essential guidelines and recommendations for optimal installation of ductless heat pumps in cold climates, ensuring maximum heating performance and long-term satisfaction for homeowners, supported by research-backed insights and detailed resources.

Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.

Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.

Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.

Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.

Standard providing guidance on how to select, size, and locate the supply air diffusers, grilles and registers, and the return grilles.

Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

Fact sheet describing best strategies to bring ductwork on single-story homes with a slab-on-grade foundation in hot, dry climates into the conditioned envelope of the home intending to highlight the pros and cons of multiple ductwork integration strategies, including traditional duct systems in...

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.

Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.

Paper describing an experiment to quantify shade tree impacts on cooling-related electricity consumption, finding that there may be sizable benefits in hot regions.

Standard covering updates to the expected leakage rates for ductwork constructed to the SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards—Metal & Flexible, duct leakage test procedures; includes recommendations on use of leakage testing, types of test apparatus, and test setup and sample leakage analysis.

Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.

Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico

Standard establishing test methods for determining air leakage in duct systems using fan pressurization in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.

Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.

Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effectiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.

Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.

Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563

Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.

Website providing data indicating climate change.

Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Webpage providing information on how window shading can reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

Report assessing the science of climate change with a focus on the U.S.

Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.

Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

ENERGY STAR webpage discussing the costs and benefits of cool roofs.

Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing 'cool roofs' and their usage for passive home cooling.

Web page providing information on the types of cool roofs and their benefits to consumers.

Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.

Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.