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Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Reference

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

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Reference

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

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

Reference

Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.

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World's Whitest Paint: radiative cooling helps to fight climate change

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Video from Purdue University on utilizing white paint for the purpose of energy conservation in hot climate zones.

Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.

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Evaluation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps as Supplemental and Full System Retrofits in a Hot Humid Climate

Reference

Technical report presenting the results of an evaluation of homes using high-efficiency mini-split heat pumps to supplement the primary heating and cooling systems.

Small, battery-powered evaporative coolers can be appropriate for personal cooling in arid climates (only)

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Measured Cooling Energy Savings from Reflective Wall Finishes: Evaluation as an Efficiency Measure Across Climates

Reference

Study investigating measured cooling energy savings from the installation of wall finishes with higher solar reflectance.

Example of an earth-sheltered home in hot climate Tempe, AZ uses the cooling properties of the ground to decrease cooling costs

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In hot, humid climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, airflow through cross ventilation and ceiling fans, and low-mass construction

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In hot, dry climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, night flush through cross ventilation and whole-house fans, potentially using high-mass construction

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Light colors have been used on exterior walls and roofs to keep buildings cooler in hot climates for centuries, as shown by this traditional building in Morocco, built in the early 1800s

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Sources of heat gain in a house include solar gains, infiltration, conduction through walls and roof, occupants, and internal equipment

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Sources of heat gain in a house include solar gains, infiltration, conduction through walls and roof, occupants, and internal equipment

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Whole-house fans or wind-driven cross ventilation can be used to draw air across thermal mass for a night flush strategy

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A screened-in porch will protect windows from rain, provide shade, and allow more airflow through windows than window screens would

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Comfort ventilation focuses on airflow over occupants; in this example of wind-driven cross ventilation, the air is directed through the main occupied areas of the bedroom

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Airflow can be directed across thermal mass in the ceiling, floor, or elsewhere inside the home through various window and louver configurations

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Even when wind is blowing parallel to a wall, an open casement window can create a zone of higher pressure near the window opening, driving airflow into the house

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Right: This house plan orients broad building surfaces away from the west and east, trees are used to shade the west and east, and large overhangs shade windows on the south wall

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Ceiling fans can be used to aid a night flush strategy by helping to cool down wall and floor surfaces more thoroughly at night, and by providing comfort ventilation during the day

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How to Create a Naturally Cool Building

Reference

Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.

Example of a cool roof, painted white to reflect solar heat gain.

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Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.

World's Whitest Paint: radiative cooling helps to fight climate change

Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.

Evaluation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps as Supplemental and Full System Retrofits in a Hot Humid Climate

Small, battery-powered evaporative coolers can be appropriate for personal cooling in arid climates (only)

Measured Cooling Energy Savings from Reflective Wall Finishes: Evaluation as an Efficiency Measure Across Climates

Example of an earth-sheltered home in hot climate Tempe, AZ uses the cooling properties of the ground to decrease cooling costs

In hot, humid climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, airflow through cross ventilation and ceiling fans, and low-mass construction

In hot, dry climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, night flush through cross ventilation and whole-house fans, potentially using high-mass construction

Light colors have been used on exterior walls and roofs to keep buildings cooler in hot climates for centuries, as shown by this traditional building in Morocco, built in the early 1800s

This diagram provides a more realistic view of how a typical direct evaporative cooler operates

Louvers and jump ducts allow cross ventilation through rooms with closed doors

A shallow, open floor plan allows free flow of cross ventilation through the house

Inducing airflow through the stack effect requires low inlets and high outlets such as a ridge hood or crown monitor

Using outdoor misters or spray fountains can cool the outside air before it enters the house

Locating windows on adjacent and opposite sides of the house will allow cross ventilation regardless of wind direction

Sources of heat gain in a house include solar gains, infiltration, conduction through walls and roof, occupants, and internal equipment

Sources of heat gain in a house include solar gains, infiltration, conduction through walls and roof, occupants, and internal equipment

Whole-house fans or wind-driven cross ventilation can be used to draw air across thermal mass for a night flush strategy

A screened-in porch will protect windows from rain, provide shade, and allow more airflow through windows than window screens would

Comfort ventilation focuses on airflow over occupants; in this example of wind-driven cross ventilation, the air is directed through the main occupied areas of the bedroom

Airflow can be directed across thermal mass in the ceiling, floor, or elsewhere inside the home through various window and louver configurations

Even when wind is blowing parallel to a wall, an open casement window can create a zone of higher pressure near the window opening, driving airflow into the house

Right: This house plan orients broad building surfaces away from the west and east, trees are used to shade the west and east, and large overhangs shade windows on the south wall

Ceiling fans can be used to aid a night flush strategy by helping to cool down wall and floor surfaces more thoroughly at night, and by providing comfort ventilation during the day

How to Create a Naturally Cool Building

Example of a cool roof, painted white to reflect solar heat gain.