U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Program – Building America

Climate-Specific Publications

The Map of the United States shows climate zones in different colors. The Marine zone contains the Pacific coast from the Canadian border to mid-California. The Hot-dry/Mixed-Dry zone contains the rest of California and follows the US border to mid-Texas. The Hot-Humid zone covers eastern Texas through Florida and includes Puerto Rico and Hawaii. The Mixed-Humid zone covers the mid-central to mid-eastern regions of the country. The Cold/Very Cold zone contains all of the Northern United States. Hot-Dry / Mixed-Dry Marine Hot-Humid Mixed-Humid Cold / Very Cold

Select a climate zone from the map above, and view a listing of climate regions by county in the Guide to Determining Climate Regions: Volume 7.1.

Building America publications help builders achieve whole-house energy savings in five major climate zones. Using the recommendation and process improvements outlined in the Best Practices Series handbooks, builders can re-engineer their designs to improve energy performance and quality. Case studies for new and existing homes provide results from actual projects. 

Access the Best Practices Series handbooks and case studies by climate zone:

Publications and Product Library

For additional resources, search the full Building America Publications and Product Library. The library offers information about Building America research results that are applicable for both new and existing homes.