BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Casement windows allow full airflow through the entire window area

Publication Date

Tue, 06/28/2022 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:00

High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.

This depiction of a saddle installed window heat pump does not obstruct window use and provides fairly quiet 120 Volt operation

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

Publication Date

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:00

Use this simple calculation to size overhangs above south facing windows.

Publication Date

Tue, 07/30/2019 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:00

Dense hedges can encourage cross ventilation (left image) or not (right image) depending on how they are placed relative to windows

Publication Date

Mon, 01/01/2007 - 12:00

A reversible window fan can operate via thermostatic or remote control and can selectively exhaust air or bring in outdoor air

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:00

Double fan window units can have multiple operational modes; most often outdoor air will be brought in at night when outdoor conditions are cooler

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

This infrared image shows little heat gain from north-facing double-pane windows with blinds, but significant heat output from computer monitors

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

Portable air conditioners offer flexibility with where they are located, but usually need to be installed near a window as they require one or two intake/exhaust ducts connected to the exterior

A cool room should have low enough heat gains to be easily cooled by a small single-zone cooling system such as a mini-split or a window air-conditioner as shown here

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Fri, 09/24/2021 - 12:00

This room has several passive and low-energy cooling features including a ceiling fan, fully operable French doors, window shading, an outdoor water feature, and light-colored hard-scaping.

Publication Date

Tue, 06/28/2022 - 12:00

A 5,000- 6,000 Btu/hr air conditioner drawing about 500 watts can be installed in one window of a designated cool room (it is important that the installation is insulated and well-sealed

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.

ASES March Webinar: Uncoupling Solar Light and Heat in Passive Solar Design

Author(s)

American Solar Energy Society

Organization(s)

ASES

Publication Date

March, 2022

Presentation from American Solar Energy Society on using spectrally selective window technology for passive solar design.

How to better equip your home for hotter temperatures

Publication Date

July, 2021

Author(s)

CBC News

Organization(s)

CBC News

Video from CBC News on long-term solutions for building homes for hot weather, including using radiant cooling and energy efficient windows.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

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

Emergency Air Conditioning and Food Refrigeration

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

Landscaping and Bahama shutters can provide important shade for a designated cool room

Publication Date

Mon, 11/14/2022 - 12:00

Design for Extreme Heat

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

Passive Solar Design Principles

Publication Date

October, 2013

Author(s)

Master Builders Victoria

Organization(s)

Master Builders Victoria

Video from Master Builders Victoria on passive solar design principles for home construction.

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Author(s)

Zero Energy Project

Organization(s)

Zero Energy Project

Publication Date

January, 2022

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

Cooling with Ventilation

Author(s)

Chandra Subrato,

Houston Michael M,

Fairey Philip W

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

December, 1986

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.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Author(s)

Wilson Alex

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

July, 2013

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.

Air speeds generated by a typical ceiling fan are in the ideal range for providing occupant cooling without causing disruption

Publication Date

Mon, 12/01/1986 - 12:00

Improving The Passive Survivability of Residential Buildings During Extreme Heat Events in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)

Rempel Alexandra,

Danis Jackson,

Rempel Alan,

Fowler Michael,

Mishra Sandipan

Organization(s)

Applied Energy,

National Science Foundation,

NSF

Publication Date

September, 2022

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.

Passive Cooling Designs to Improve Heat Resilience of Homes in Underserved and Vulnerable Communities

Author(s)

Sun Kaiyu,

Zhang Wanni,

Zeng Zhaoyun,

Levinson Ronnen,

Wei Max,

Hong Tianzhen

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

August, 2021

This study evaluated 11 measures for passive cooling using four heat resilience metrics with and without grid power in Fresno CA and found the two most effective measures were installing solar-control window films and adding roof insulation; natural ventilation also helped reduce overheating in...