Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

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.

Air Sealing, Insulating, and Venting Attics and Roofs to Reduce Heat Gain

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.

Creating a Cool Room for Extreme Heat Events

Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.

Design for Extreme Heat

Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.

Emergency Air Conditioning and Food Refrigeration

Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

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.

Extreme Heat Overview

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.

High-Thermal-Mass Construction

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.

Landscaping to Reduce Cooling Load

Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.

Shading and Solar Control for Windows and Skylights

Guide describing various methods of shading and solar control to reduce heat gain through windows.