Library

2020 energy efficiency code for the state of Florida.

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

Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.

Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solutions.

Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

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

Report describing testing and analysis on deep energy retrofits of existing single-family homes in the U.S.

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.

Article describing methods for thermally isolating a garage in a Passive House-certified multifamily building.

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

Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

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

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

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

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

Technical report describing the thermal performance of 40 common building envelope details for mid- and high-rise buildings, including analyses to optimize energy efficiency and reduce thermal bridging.

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

Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

SPFA website signup page to access SPFA documents.

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

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.

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

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.

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

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

Website of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.

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.

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

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

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

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.