BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

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Technology Solutions Case Study: Field Performance of Inverter-Driven Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

Case Study

Case study describing how researchers monitored heat output and electricity consumption of air-source heat pumps

Building America Top Innovations 2012: Moisture and Ventilation Solutions in Hot, Humid Climates: Florida Manufactured Housing

Case Study

Case study describing a 2012 DOE Building America Top Innovation on ventilation strategies in hot and humid climates developed and assessed by the Florida Solar Energy Center.

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

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

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

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

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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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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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HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Reference

Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

Energy and IAQ Implications of Residential Ventilation Cooling

Reference

This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.

2023 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Applications

Reference

Guidebook covering basic principles and data used in the HVAC&R industry. This is the 2023 edition of the handbook, which can be purchased physically or digitally at the reference link in versions using either I-P units of measurement or SI units of measurement.

Calculating Design Heating Loads for Superinsulated Buildings, Ithaca NY

Case Study

Case study describing heating loads for super-insulated buildings.

Natural Ventilation

Reference

DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.

Earthship Huts – Low Hanging Fruit in the Fight Against Poverty

Reference

Article describing earthship homes.

Passive Design

Reference

Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.

Plant for the Sun!

Reference

Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

Reference

Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Cooling Your Home Naturally

Reference

Short report providing tips on how to reduce heat gain and passively cool a home.

Team Negawatt

Reference

Presentation on urban land use and sustainable building design.

Performance and Applicability of Passive and Low-Energy Cooling Systems

Reference

Paper summarizing passive and low-energy cooling systems for buildings.

2020 Minnesota State Mechanical Code MN rule chapter 1346

Reference

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

Passive Cooling

Reference

Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.

Cooling with Ventilation

Reference

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

Reference

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.

Lower Battery Costs, High Value of Backup Power Drive Distributed Storage Deployment

Reference

News article describing the state of the residential battery storage market.

Night Ventilation Cooling Compliance Option

Reference

Document describing recommended modeling rules, potential compliance credits, and eligibility criteria for residential night ventilation cooling systems for California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.