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.

Row of newly built single-family homes with front porches, landscaped yards, and sidewalks in a suburban neighborhood under a bright blue sky.

Row of newly built single-family homes with front porches, landscaped yards, and sidewalks in a suburban neighborhood under a bright blue sky.

Dear Policymakers: Energy Codes Are Not What’s Making Housing Unaffordable in the US

The lack of affordable housing combined with a housing shortage is absolutely a national concern. As policymakers search for solutions though, building codes, particularly energy codes, are often incorrectly blamed for this housing crisis. However, rolling back the energy codes…

Aerial view of multifamily buildings in New York City with rooftop ventilation and mechanical equipment visible above residential structures.

Aerial view of multifamily buildings in New York City with rooftop ventilation and mechanical equipment visible above residential structures.

So You Think You Have a High-Performance Ventilation System?

We’ve studied ventilation systems in thousands of existing multifamily buildings…the good, the average, and the shocking. In part one of our blog series on multifamily ventilation systems, we’ll explain the most common issues in real, occupied buildings.

Window packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP)

Window packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP)

Do PTACs Have to Be This Bad?

Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) have long been known as the budget option: loud, bulky, and not particularly efficient. But newer technologies are challenging that reputation, and our testing suggests that some promising alternatives are coming to the market.

Manhattan at night

Manhattan at night

20 Reasons to Attend Greenbuild 2026

For the first time ever, the world’s largest annual gathering of green building professionals’ lands in New York City.

Disability rights advocates protesting in front of the White House.

Disability rights advocates protesting in front of the White House.

Understanding Accessibility: Section 504 and Its Impact on Residential Development

Our accessibility consultants answer the most frequently asked questions about Section 504 and how to apply it to residential projects.

Healthcare provider conducting an ultrasound examination with fetal images visible on a monitor.

Healthcare provider conducting an ultrasound examination with fetal images visible on a monitor.

Trends in Healthcare: How Pregnancy Further Reveals the Impact of Well-Designed Accessible Healthcare Spaces

By investing in accessible healthcare design, we can help reduce delays in care, improve patient safety, support earlier intervention during complications, and create spaces where every person feels that their health, and whatever path their pregnancy takes, matter.

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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

Row of newly built single-family homes with front porches, landscaped yards, and sidewalks in a suburban neighborhood under a bright blue sky.

Row of newly built single-family homes with front porches, landscaped yards, and sidewalks in a suburban neighborhood under a bright blue sky.

Dear Policymakers: Energy Codes Are Not What’s Making Housing Unaffordable in the US

The lack of affordable housing combined with a housing shortage is absolutely a national concern. As policymakers search for solutions though, building codes, particularly energy codes, are often incorrectly blamed for this housing crisis. However, rolling back the energy codes…

Aerial view of multifamily buildings in New York City with rooftop ventilation and mechanical equipment visible above residential structures.

Aerial view of multifamily buildings in New York City with rooftop ventilation and mechanical equipment visible above residential structures.

So You Think You Have a High-Performance Ventilation System?

We’ve studied ventilation systems in thousands of existing multifamily buildings…the good, the average, and the shocking. In part one of our blog series on multifamily ventilation systems, we’ll explain the most common issues in real, occupied buildings.

Window packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP)

Window packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP)

Do PTACs Have to Be This Bad?

Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) have long been known as the budget option: loud, bulky, and not particularly efficient. But newer technologies are challenging that reputation, and our testing suggests that some promising alternatives are coming to the market.

Manhattan at night

Manhattan at night

20 Reasons to Attend Greenbuild 2026

For the first time ever, the world’s largest annual gathering of green building professionals’ lands in New York City.

Research & Programs

Kendal Crossing multifamily housing community with rooftop solar panels, the site of research evaluating heat pump water heater performance in apartment buildings.

Research & Programs

Kendal Crossing multifamily housing community with rooftop solar panels, the site of research evaluating heat pump water heater performance in apartment buildings.

Heat Pump Water Heaters in Apartments Show Promise

Heat pump water heaters have a checkered reputation in multifamily buildings due to space constraints, noise, and comfort concerns. But a new study by SWA found that when integrated heat pump water heaters (iHPWHs) are designed and installed correctly, they…

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.

News

dupont circle washington DC

dupont circle washington DC

Announcing ReTune DC: Free Building Retuning Training to Expand Career Opportunities for DC Professionals and Small Business Owners

SWA is excited to announce ReTune DC, a free training series for professionals and small business owners to build knowledge, hands-on experience, and connections to career and project opportunities in building retuning.

Aerial view of Aurora, Colorado, with the Rocky Mountains visible in the background at sunset or sunrise.

Aerial view of Aurora, Colorado, with the Rocky Mountains visible in the background at sunset or sunrise.

SWA Selected as Partner for City of Fort Collins ‘Designed to 2030’ Pre-Approved High-Performance Home Plans Pilot Program

SWA is proud to join the interdisciplinary project team selected by the City of Fort Collins, CO, for its Designed to 2030 – Pre‑Approved High‑Performance Home Plans Pilot Program to reduce the cost of building energy-efficient homes.

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.

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…