BSP-032: Designs that Work: Hot-Humid Climate (New Orleans, LA)

Resources include related documents on the buildingscience.com website, informative guides and publications, and links to selected internet sites.

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
• Water Management Guide (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
• Building America Performance Targets
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Zones
• DOE Climate Zones by County
• Building Materials Property Table
• Building Science Glossary

OTHER HOT-HUMID HOUSE DESIGN CASE STUDIES

• Hot-Humid Climate construction details:

• Houston Profile
  
• Maitland Profile
  
• Orlando Profile
  
• Montgomery Profile

SITE: DRAINAGE, PEST CONTROL, AND LANDSCAPING

• Pest Control

FOUNDATION: MOISTURE CONTROL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

• Radon resistant construction practices (EPA radon control web site)

• Borate-treated rigid insulation:

• www.buildingscience.com/buildingamerica/casestudies/fairburn/default.htm

BUILDING ENCLOSURE: MOISTURE CONTROL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

• Design using advanced framing methods
• Air sealing details
• Insulations, Sheathings, and Vapor Diffusion Retarders
• Solar driven moisture in wall assemblies
• Solar driven moisture in roof assemblies:
• Understanding Attic Ventilation
• Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates

• Window flashing:

• Water Management Guide (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
  

• ENERGY STAR® Reflective Roof Product List

MECHANICALS/ELECTRICAL/PLUMBING

• HVAC system sizing (ACCA Manual J and Manual D):

• HVAC Equipment Sizing Strategies: Taking Advantage of High-Performance Buildings
  

• Sizing heating, cooling and ventilation ducts, trunks, and runouts for energy efficient housing
  

• Mechanical ventilation integrated with HVAC system design

• Transfer Grilles:

• Discussion of the Use of Transfer Grilles to Facilitate Air Flow in Central Return Systems
• Transfer Grille Sizing

• Indoor humidity:

• Relative Humidity
  

• Whole house dehumidification system

• Air conditioning best practices

• High-energy efficiency major appliances

COMMISSIONING

• SNAPSHOT (Short Non-Destructive Approach to Provide Significant House Operation Thresholds) form

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

• Primer on Photovoltaics