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Average wet-bulb temperatures across the United States

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

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

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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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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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Evaluation of the NightCool Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept: Annual Performance Assessment in Scale Test Buildings Stage Gate 1B

Reference

Report about an experimental evaluation conducted on a night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates.

Energy 101: Geothermal Heat Pumps

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Video from DOE on geothermal heat pumps and their use in hot and cold climates for heating and cooling needs.

Indirect evaporative cooler diagram

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Indirect/direct evaporative cooler blower diagram

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Room Air Conditioners

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Web page providing an overview of room-level air conditioning systems such as window units and mini-splits.

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.

How to Create a Naturally Cool Building

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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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High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

Reference

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

Proper building orientation for minimal heat gain in the northern hemisphere.

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Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Reference

Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

Air-Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Guide

Reference

Document providing step-by-step guidance to sizing air-source heat pumps for a cold climate.

These plots compare sizing approaches in terms of the approximate annual heating load a heat pump might carry throughout the year for a hypothetical home in Minneapolis, MN.

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A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements

Reference

Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.