BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

Video

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

High Performance All-Electric Home Design and Construction for Cold Climates

Presentation

Webinar that reviews market-ready and innovative technology options for all-electric homes in cold climates. It will also discuss building envelope options as well as HVAC and water heating solutions. Free EEBA Digital Chalk account required to view.

Retrofitting Forced Air Combi Systems: A Cold Climate Field Assessment

Reference

This project analyzed combined condensing water heaters or boilers and hydronic air coils to provide high efficiency domestic hot water (DHW) and forced air space heating. Called "combi" systems, they provided similar space and water heating performance less expensively than installing two...

Energy Retrofit Field Study and Best Practices in a Hot-Humid Climate

Reference

Research study examining efficiency retrofit opportunities, typical renovation practices, and pathways for achieving U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) goals for existing homes in Florida.

Building America's Optimized Solutions for New Homes: Mixed-Humid Climate

Case Study

Case study describing Building America's Optimized Solutions for energy efficient home construction in a mixed-dry climate.

Building America's Optimized Solutions for New Homes: Hot-Humid Climate

Case Study

Case study describing Building America's Optimized Solutions for energy efficient home construction in a hot-humid climate.

Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House

Case Study

Case study describing a zero energy ready home (ZERH) that was recently completed featuring an innovative wall system. This highly insulated (high-R) light-frame wall system, called the extended plate and beam (EP&B), is for use above grade in residential buildings.

The Climate Zone Map for the ENERGY STAR Window, Door, and Skylight Specification

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Three’s A Crowd: Energy Efficiency, Humidity and Ventilation in Humid Climate Zones

Presentation

Webinar from Joseph Hillenmeyer of Aprilaire on efficiently managing humidity within the building envelope through proper ventilation. Free EEBA login required.

Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County: Building America and IECC 2021 Updates

Reference

Report identifying Building America and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code climate zone designations for every county in the United States; where a county's climate zone designation has changed since the 2018 IECC, that change is indicated as well.

New Maps of Annual Average Temperature and Precipitation from the U.S. Climate Normals

Reference

Webpage presenting updated maps for annual average temperature and precipitation in the contiguous U.S.

Database of Low-e Storm Window Energy Performance across U.S. Climate Zones

Reference

Research study evaluating energy savings and cost effectiveness of installing low-emissivity (low-e) storm windows over existing windows in residential homes in all climate zones.

BSC Information - Common Advanced Framing Details for All Climates, Sheet 201

Reference

Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

BSC Information - Vapor Control Layer Recommendations for All Climates, Sheet 310

Reference

Information sheet providing recommendations on the installation of vapor control layers.

Field Testing Unvented Roofs with Asphalt Shingles in Cold and Hot-Humid Climates

Reference

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

No Class I Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Exterior Walls in Warm-Humid Climates

Video

Video describing vapor retarders used in Warm-Humid climates.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate, Volume 15

Reference

A guidebook helping builders in hot-humid climates design and construct homes for energy efficiency, durability, health, safety, and comfort.

The Impact of Wall and Roof Material on the Summer Thermal Performance of Building in a Temperate Climate

Reference

Study comparing the thermal performance of phase change materials to concrete construction during heat waves.

Use staggered 2x4 studs to minimize thermal bridging in hot climate zones.

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Habitat for Humanity Cold Climate High R-Value Prototype, Westford, Massachusetts

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

Reaching for Peak Performance in Existing Homes - A Cold Climate Study With Synergy Construction

Reference

Research study about two test homes that are examined with the goal of providing case studies that could be applied to other similar New England homes.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

Reference

Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Technology Solutions Case Study: High-Performance Ducts in Hot-Dry Climates

Case Study

Case study describing the performance of high-performance ducts in hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

Low Cost Interior Duct Systems for High Performance Homes in Hot Climates

Reference

Document presenting a cost effective method that was used by four builders in the Gainesville, FL area to construct interior ducts in over a dozen site built homes.

Energy Code - Module 2: Window and Insulation Tables (Climate Zones 1,2)

Presentation

Webinar that discusses code requirements found in the prescriptive window and insulation requirements for climate zones 1 and 2.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Mixed-Humid Climate, Volume 16

Reference

Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.