Organization(s)
ECP
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing information on how window shading can reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.
This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
Showing results 1 - 50 of 149
Organization(s)
Applied Energy
Publication Date
Description
Study using simulations to understand the impact that shading and natural ventilation would have had on the survivability of non-air-conditioned buildings during the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest.
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Description
2020 energy efficiency code for the state of Florida.
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MN Department of Labor and Industry
Publication Date
Description
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Description
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.
Organization(s)
GCCA,
R20
Publication Date
Description
Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Description
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.
Organization(s)
This Old House
Publication Date
Description
Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.
Organization(s)
Auburn University
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing an experiment to quantify shade tree impacts on cooling-related electricity consumption, finding that there may be sizable benefits in hot regions.
Organization(s)
City of Albuquerque
Publication Date
Description
Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Description
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effictiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.
Organization(s)
Center for the Built Environment,
CBE,
University of California Berkeley,
UC Berkeley,
SinBerBEST,
Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore,
BEARS
Publication Date
Description
Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Website providing data indicating climate change.
Organization(s)
Regents of the University of California,
Society of Building Science Educators
Publication Date
Description
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Web page listing various state codes, model codes, and voluntary programs related to cool roofs and cool walls.
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing 'cool roofs' and their usage for passive home cooling.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing information on the types of cool roofs and their benefits to consumers.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
LBNL webpage introducing heat island effect and cool materials concepts, and providing links to LBNL pages explaining cool pavements, cool roofs, and cool walls.
Organization(s)
City of Davis California
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on cool roofs and walls for contractors, homeowners, architects, and code officials, including a directory of rated products.
Organization(s)
The Home Energy Community of Practice
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.
Organization(s)
Permaculture Research Institute
Publication Date
Description
Article describing earthship homes.
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing quality of life and economic benefit from trees.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Technical report evaluating the effects of heat pump water heaters on heating and cooling energy usage in laboratory homes.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Publication Date
Description
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.
Organization(s)
University of Washington
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.
Organization(s)
NAHB
Publication Date
Description
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.
Organization(s)
University of Western Australia,
Auburn University
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR webpage discussing the costs and benefits of cool roofs.