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

Building Technologies Program – Building America

Hot-Humid Climate Publications

Map of the Hot & Humid Climate Zone of the United States. This zone covers eastern Texas through Florida and reaches up to mid-Georgia; it also includes Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Best Practices Series

Hot-Humid Climate Best Practices Handbook - Volume 1

Hot-Humid Climate Best Practices Handbook - Volume 1
A guide to achieving 15% whole-house energy savings (30% savings in space conditioning and hot water heating).

On this page, you will find case studies and the Best Practices handbook from the Hot-Humid climate zone. The case studies feature new residential building projects in this region. See Publications for other U.S. climate zones. These publications are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.

Best Practices Series Handbook

This guide is a resource to help builders construct high quality, energy-efficient homes in the Hot-Humid climate zone in the United States.

New Construction Case Studies

Florida

Project: Bimini Green Home – Plant City
Builder: Palm Harbor Homes
Profile: Builders Challenge spotlight and features highly efficient 17 SEER/9 HSPF heat pump, extra snug envelope sealing, and solar hot water system.

Project: CobbleField – Gainesville
Builder: G.W. Robinson Builders
Profile: Infill development of 265 single-family homes featuring improved air quality, better dehumidification, and hot water recirculation loop system.

Project: Green Smart Zero Energy Home – Gainesville
Builder: G.W. Robinson
Profile: 2,081-square-foot production home with 16-SEER heat pump and ducts in conditioned space, radiant barrier in the attic over R-38 blown cellulose to keep inside air cool for < 60 HERS without photovoltaics (PV), -3 HERS with 6.6 kW PV.

Project: Habitat for Humanity – Lakeland
Builder: Lakeland Habitat for Humanity
Profile: Fifty affordable homes achieving at least 34% energy savings through use of radiant barrier, conditioned ducts, and heat recovery systems.

Project: NextGen Flex-Home – Orlando
Builder: Genesis by Champion Homes
Profile: The modular home was built at the International Builders Show with a HERS score of 58 using spray foam wall, hybrid HVAC system, low-e double pane windows, and gathers energy from a Delta Wind system.

Project: SunSmart Zero Energy Home - Melbourne
Builder: LifeStyle Homes
Profile: Affordable zero energy home with 14 SEER heat pump and ducts in conditioned space, solar-powered attic fans, solar thermal water heating, concrete block walls with reflective insulation and air gap, plus PV.

Project: Two Zero Energy Homes - Gainesville
Builder: Tommy Williams Homes
Profile: An engineered duct design with ducts and 16 SEER/9.5 HSPF heat pump in conditioned space, solar thermal water heating, air sealing to 2.3 ACH@50Pa, and raised heel energy trusses achieve HERS <60 without PV, -2 with PV.

Louisiana

Project: Project Home Again – New Orleans
Builder: Green Coast Enterprises
Profile: Largest developer of Builders Challenge-qualified homes in Louisiana constructs energy-efficient, storm-resistant homes achieving HERS scores of 66.

South Carolina

Project: Bryant Park Cottages – Hilton Head
Builder: Coastal Habitats Construction & Development
Profile: By right sizing HVAC units, conditioning ducts, superior insulation, and solar hot water system, these houses achieve approximately 50% energy savings.

Texas

Project: 779 Builders Challenge Homes in 2010 - Houston
Builder: David Weekley Homes
Profile: Builder with largest number of Builders Challenge homes in 2010 achieves this with superior insulation, air sealing, and framing; high-efficiency HVAC, appliances and lighting to reach HERS scores of 59-68.

Project: Monterrey Model - San Antonio
Builder: Imagine Homes
Profile: This 3,600-square-foot production home with HVAC in conditioned space in spray-foam-insulated sealed attic; spray-foamed rim joists; advanced frame walls with R-3 foam sheathing; scores 48 on HERS index without PV.

Project: TimberCreek Zero Energy House - Lewisville
Builder: GreenCraft
Profile: More than 5,000 people have toured this 2,500-square-foot spray and rigid foam-insulated demonstration home that scores 1 on HERS index with PV.

The Building America publications listed below offer energy-saving guidelines applicable to every climate zone in the United States.

Energy Performance Techniques and Technologies: Preserving Historic Homes – Volume 13

Following Building America-sponsored research, this guide focuses on planning energy-efficient improvements for historic houses while preserving the home's historic features, being aware of and adhering to regulations related to historic designations, and addressing health and safety issues.

Air Sealing: A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners – Volume 10

This guide provides information for contractors and homeowners to identify ways to seal unwanted air leaks in homes, while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding indoor air pollution.

Solar Thermal & Photovoltaic Systems – Volume 6

This publication provides an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices, and features more than a dozen builder case studies

Builders Challenge Quality Criteria Support Document – Volume 8, Version 1.2

This guide outlines 29 requirements and recommendation criteria that builders must meet to qualify for the Builders Challenge, and provides guidance for meeting the criteria.