Map local exposure
Shade, trees, surrounding buildings, sun and wind.
Our services03 / 06 — TerraViva Homes
Better information.
Better decisions.
Free, science-based advisory support at the intersection of a home's building conditions, its surrounding microclimate and the people who live there.
The service, in plain languageWe study the setting.
We study the setting.
You understand the options.
We help eligible low-income homeowners and renters understand why their homes may be too hot, uncomfortable or expensive to heat and cool. We consider the local climate, nearby trees and buildings, and the home’s walls, windows, roof and ventilation. Where suitable data and resources are available, we can explore microclimate and whole-building simulations to compare possible improvements, indicative costs and trade-offs. You receive a clear explanation of options worth considering, what remains uncertain and when a qualified professional is needed.
Study the home
Walls, windows, roofs, ventilation and whole-building models where appropriate.
Explore alternatives
Potential cooling and energy implications, cost ranges and feasibility.
Prioritize action
Understand trade-offs, uncertainties and next steps in accessible terms.
Service 01 / Understand
Microclimate
assessment.
Conditions just outside a home can differ from a city's average weather. Shade, paved surfaces, street layout, terrain and surrounding buildings can change exposure to heat, sun and wind.
We help households interpret readily available information about their local environment, identify possible contributors to overheating and consider where more detailed assessment may be useful. The level of assessment depends on available data and capacity.
Service 02 / Adapt
Retrofit
guidance.
Home improvements are most effective when they respond to the actual problem. An overheated bedroom, a poorly insulated roof and a sun-exposed window may call for different interventions.
We discuss potential measures such as exterior shading, window treatments, insulation, ventilation strategies, cool surfaces and efficient cooling systems—considering cost, practical constraints and the need for qualified evaluation.
Service 03 / Translate
Research
& insights.
We translate findings from urban climate and building science into clear resources for communities. Our aim is to help people understand the relationship between neighborhood heat, housing quality, thermal comfort and climate adaptation.
Browse our accessible research library and learn how to judge claims about comfort, housing energy use and climate resilience. The credited research is authored by independent scientists, with free full-text links in our reviewed collection.
How a request
moves forward.
Share your concern
Send a brief description of your issue. A precise home address or sensitive personal information is not needed initially.
Review the context
Where capacity allows, we consider your building circumstances and relevant climate and housing information.
Discuss next steps
We identify options and explain where a site inspection, licensed contractor or other professional is necessary.
How we help—and where advice ends: We explain the local climate and building-performance factors that may affect your home, compare options using available evidence and, where practical, simulation, and outline cost considerations and sensible next steps. This is informational advisory guidance. We do not perform engineering inspections, issue professional certifications, design or install building work, guarantee savings, or fund retrofits. Any work requiring permits or licensed professionals should be evaluated by those professionals.
Ready to explore what could help your home?
Request free guidance