A house built into the ground or slope of a hill, or which has most or all exterior surfaces covered with earth.

The sum of all the costs both recurring and nonrecurring, related to a product, structure, system, or service during its life span or specified time period.

A construction element that inhibits termites from entering building foundations and walls.

A mechanical/electrical device used to pull air out of an interior space; usually located in the highest location of a building, in the ceiling, and venting to the attic or directly to the outside.

Any coefficient used to calculate heat transmission by conduction, convection, or radiation through materials or structures.

The practice of using a single meter to measure consumption and generation of electricity by a small generation facility (such as a house with a wind or solar photovoltaic system). The net energy produced or consumed is purchased from or sold to the gener ...

A unit used to rate the performance of a solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, modules, or arrays; the maximum nominal output of a PV device, in Watts (Wp) under standardized test conditions, usually 1000 Watts per square meter of sunlight with other conditions, ...

The discomfort or interference with visual perception when viewing a bright object against a dark background.

The force that pulls a wind turbine blade, as opposed to drag.

The standard method for calculating residential cooling loads developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) based largely on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and A ...

A generic term for an electrical conductor.

A device that releases pressure within a radiator when the pressure inside exceeds the operating limits of the vent.

A class of power generator that is not a regulated utility and that has generating plants for the purpose of supplying electric power required in the conduct of their industrial and commercial operations.

All the components of the appliance used to condition interior air of a building.

A heating system, such as a solar water heater or geothermal heatpump, in which the working fluid is heated and used directly; in an open-loop solar system, the domestic water is circulated in the collector loop.

A measure of the amount of light incident on a surface; measured in foot-candles or Lux.

A gas or liquid used to move heat energy from one place to another; a refrigerant.

The coldest months of the year; months where average daily temperatures fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit creating demand for indoor space heating.

A construction element used for ceiling support.

The change in heat content that occurs with a change in phase and without change in temperature.