Knowledge Hub

Sharing what we learn along the way is essential to evolving our industry and making the built environment more sustainable, healthy, equitable, and accessible.

A vibrant Toronto street scene featuring a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. The CN Tower is visible in the background, while a historic flatiron building with a green roof stands in the foreground surrounded by trees.

A vibrant Toronto street scene featuring a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. The CN Tower is visible in the background, while a historic flatiron building with a green roof stands in the foreground surrounded by trees.

Canada Energy Policy: Fueling a High-Performance Building Revolution (And What You Need to Know)

Canada’s building sector is under pressure to go beyond energy code requirements—and that’s a good thing.

A row of three townhouses with distinct exteriors: one with light blue siding and blue shutters, one with a brick facade and blue shutters, and one with beige siding and black shutters. Each townhouse has a gabled roof with a circular vent near the peak, and a small tree is in front of the leftmost unit.

A row of three townhouses with distinct exteriors: one with light blue siding and blue shutters, one with a brick facade and blue shutters, and one with beige siding and black shutters. Each townhouse has a gabled roof with a circular vent near the peak, and a small tree is in front of the leftmost unit.

2024 vs. 2027 IECC: What’s in the First Draft of the 2027 IECC Residential Chapter?

The first public comment draft of the 2027 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Residential Chapter is here. We’re giving an overview of what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how to participate in the public comment period.

A modern multi-story residential building with green siding, white trim, and multiple private balconies enclosed by white railings.

A modern multi-story residential building with green siding, white trim, and multiple private balconies enclosed by white railings.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings: Tips for Installation and Performance

What are the pros and cons of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in multifamily settings? Do they work well in cold climates?

Boston buildings including a historic red brick building with arched windows, set against modern buildings with beige stone and blue glass exteriors, illustrating the city's blend of old and new architecture.

Boston buildings including a historic red brick building with arched windows, set against modern buildings with beige stone and blue glass exteriors, illustrating the city's blend of old and new architecture.

Third-Party Data Verification: What’s Causing Inaccuracies in Your Benchmarking Data?

Through our data verification work, SWA has learned a lot about inaccuracies in energy benchmarking data. We’re explaining the most common reasons for data inaccuracies and how to correct them.

A modern open-concept kitchen and living area featuring dark wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a white subway tile backsplash, and a kitchen island with a white countertop and sink.

A modern open-concept kitchen and living area featuring dark wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a white subway tile backsplash, and a kitchen island with a white countertop and sink.

Fair Housing Act Compliance: The Most Common Violations in Dwelling Units of Multifamily Buildings

After years of inspecting multifamily housing developments across the country for compliance with regulatory requirements for accessible design and construction, our accessibility team has compiled a list of common violations that could easily have been avoided before construction even began.

View of several tall buildings in New York City with varied architectural styles, including a red brick building with arched windows, a modern black and white striped high-rise, and a beige stone building with small windows. Additional high-rises are visible in the background, highlighting the city's dense urban landscape.

View of several tall buildings in New York City with varied architectural styles, including a red brick building with arched windows, a modern black and white striped high-rise, and a beige stone building with small windows. Additional high-rises are visible in the background, highlighting the city's dense urban landscape.

Adaptive Reuse Strategies: How to Plan for the Surprises of Building Conversion Projects

We’re sharing insights from developers, architects, and SWA’s consultants about how to navigate funding, design constraints, compliance challenges, and more.

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Podcast

Mini Episode – Listen Before You Install Your Next Heat Pump

It’s been a while! Buildings + Beyond host Robb Aldrich is back with a quick update on a new (and free!) video series for anyone who wants to learn how to install an air-source heat pump.

Room Acoustics – Are They the Missing Piece in the Occupant Experience?

Many of us take good acoustics for granted. But it’s common for acoustic efforts to be the first thing cut from commercial projects—or not included in the design phase at all, according to Graham Waks, founder of Music City Acoustics.

Do We Need a Green Certification Program Just for Commercial Kitchens? (Hint… Yes)

Commercial kitchens are one of the most challenging spaces to electrify, but we need to take on this challenge in order to decarbonize restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and other buildings with commercial kitchens. Is another green certification program the answer?

It’s Getting Hot in Here! – Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Electric Kitchens

Remember when gas stoves became a political issue last year? While all that public debate was happening, there were chefs around the world embracing the concept of all-electric kitchens and getting past the learning curve to induction cooking.

Blog

A vibrant Toronto street scene featuring a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. The CN Tower is visible in the background, while a historic flatiron building with a green roof stands in the foreground surrounded by trees.

A vibrant Toronto street scene featuring a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. The CN Tower is visible in the background, while a historic flatiron building with a green roof stands in the foreground surrounded by trees.

Canada Energy Policy: Fueling a High-Performance Building Revolution (And What You Need to Know)

Canada’s building sector is under pressure to go beyond energy code requirements—and that’s a good thing.

A row of three townhouses with distinct exteriors: one with light blue siding and blue shutters, one with a brick facade and blue shutters, and one with beige siding and black shutters. Each townhouse has a gabled roof with a circular vent near the peak, and a small tree is in front of the leftmost unit.

A row of three townhouses with distinct exteriors: one with light blue siding and blue shutters, one with a brick facade and blue shutters, and one with beige siding and black shutters. Each townhouse has a gabled roof with a circular vent near the peak, and a small tree is in front of the leftmost unit.

2024 vs. 2027 IECC: What’s in the First Draft of the 2027 IECC Residential Chapter?

The first public comment draft of the 2027 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Residential Chapter is here. We’re giving an overview of what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how to participate in the public comment period.

A modern multi-story residential building with green siding, white trim, and multiple private balconies enclosed by white railings.

A modern multi-story residential building with green siding, white trim, and multiple private balconies enclosed by white railings.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings: Tips for Installation and Performance

What are the pros and cons of heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) in multifamily settings? Do they work well in cold climates?

Boston buildings including a historic red brick building with arched windows, set against modern buildings with beige stone and blue glass exteriors, illustrating the city's blend of old and new architecture.

Boston buildings including a historic red brick building with arched windows, set against modern buildings with beige stone and blue glass exteriors, illustrating the city's blend of old and new architecture.

Third-Party Data Verification: What’s Causing Inaccuracies in Your Benchmarking Data?

Through our data verification work, SWA has learned a lot about inaccuracies in energy benchmarking data. We’re explaining the most common reasons for data inaccuracies and how to correct them.

Research & Programs

Snow-covered sidewalk in Brooklyn lined with brownstone buildings. Steps and railings are dusted with snow, and snow piles line the sidewalk edges. A bicycle is partially buried in snow near one building, evoking a quiet, serene winter day in the city.

Research & Programs

Snow-covered sidewalk in Brooklyn lined with brownstone buildings. Steps and railings are dusted with snow, and snow piles line the sidewalk edges. A bicycle is partially buried in snow near one building, evoking a quiet, serene winter day in the city.

No Backup Needed: Right-Sized Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHPs) Can Reliably Heat NYC Apartments All Winter

A recent NYSERDA-supported study conducted by SWA shows that right-sized cold-climate packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs) can reliably heat New York City apartments, even with outdoor temperatures as low as 15°F, without backup systems. This study also reinforces that accurate…

Aerial view of New York City looking downtown, featuring a dense cityscape of skyscrapers with One World Trade Center prominently visible in the distance.

Research & Programs

Aerial view of New York City looking downtown, featuring a dense cityscape of skyscrapers with One World Trade Center prominently visible in the distance.

The Consequences of Under-Predicting Energy Use and Oversizing Systems in Multifamily Buildings

Passive House design can result in efficient, cost-effective, comfortable, and resilient multifamily buildings—as long as it’s based on accurate data.

New York City buildings at sunset

Research & Programs

New York City buildings at sunset

Oversizing VRF Systems Will Cost You in Equipment and Energy

In a DOE-sponsored study, SWA uncovered why one VRF system used six times less electricity per square foot than another across two similar high-rise apartment buildings in New York City.

Rendering of the exterior of building 7 at night at Northland Newton Development

Research & Programs

Rendering of the exterior of building 7 at night at Northland Newton Development

Embodied Carbon Reduction Challenge

For the MassCEC and BE+ Embodied Carbon Reduction Challenge, SWA optimized structural design and reduced reliance on concrete and steel for Building 7 at Northland Newton Development in Newton, MA.

News

SWA to Lead DOE Building America Team

SWA was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Building America program to lead a team that will address technical challenges of decarbonizing the U.S. housing stock. Along with our team members HR&A Advisors, Ecosystem, and Kinetic Communities Consulting…

SWA’s Gayathri Vijayakumar Selected for Inaugural Class of RESNET^® Recognition of Women Pioneers in the HERS^® Industry

We’re excited to announce that Gayathri Vijayakumar, Principal Mechanical Engineer at SWA, has been selected for the inaugural class of the RESNET® Recognition of Women Pioneers in the HERS® Industry.

SWA’s Gayathri Vijayakumar Recognized with 2023 ICC National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award

We’re proud to announce that Gayathri Vijayakumar, Principal Mechanical Engineer at SWA, received the 2023 National Leadership in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Award from the International Code Council’s Sustainability Membership Council.

Three SWA Projects Awarded in Third Round of Buildings of Excellence Competition

SWA is proud to be part of the project teams for Buildings of Excellence Round Three winners 439 West 36th Street and 489-501 9th Avenue (pictured, top) and Brownsville Arts Center and Apartments (pictured, below), as well as Early-Stage Design Support winner…

Education & Training

heat pumps on roof

heat pumps on roof

Air-source Heat Pumps for Cold Climates

The course illustrates real-world examples of air-source heat pumps, with both good and bad applications. ASHPs can work very well in many cold climates with thoughtful design and implementation. The intent of this course is to help people implement systems…

Air Conditioning Repair Concepts, Technician holding refrigerant manifold gauge set air conditioning tools with hose and hook, repairman fixing air conditioning system

Air Conditioning Repair Concepts, Technician holding refrigerant manifold gauge set air conditioning tools with hose and hook, repairman fixing air conditioning system

Net-Zero HVAC Strategies for Multifamily Buildings

This module will take an in-depth look into the mechanical systems typically employed in high performance, net zero buildings including heating, cooling, domestic hot water, and ventilation. Discussion topics include reasons for, and issues with full electrification and central-plant considerations….

woman sitting and reading in a living room

woman sitting and reading in a living room

Electrifying Homes

This course explores the benefits of electrification, provide an overview of the considerations when going all-electric, discuss a variety of technology options and best practices for incorporating heat pumps for both domestic hot water and space heating.

Top 10 Multifamily Design Mistakes

The residential building industry is becoming more sustainable and efficient, yet many new buildings are still under-performing because designers continue to make simple, avoidable mistakes. Based on lessons learned in the field, we discuss the top ten multifamily design mistakes…