The HAASE DESIGN home pictured on the cover is a 2,750 sq. ft. house representing a modern  interpretation of traditional and regional design methodologies that are unique to North Central Florida. The home was designed and built to exceed ENERGY STAR# and Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC)  Green Home Standards. This HAASE DESIGN home utilizes the following energy and water efficient features: SEER 16 Central Air  Conditioning with Puron; Low-E, ENERGY STAR windows; R-30 attic insulation; gas-fired tankless water  heating; ENERGY STAR lighting, ceiling fans and appliances; water efficient plumbing fixtures; Florida-Friendly Landscaping'"; EPA-certified catalytic wood burning stoves; passive solar design techniques  (such as daylighting, cross ventilation, reflective/light colored exterior finishes, deep overhangs,  thermal chimneys, sun orientation and abundant shade trees on east and west elevations); certified sustainable lumber, low- or zero-VOC paints, stains and finishes; universal design that meets Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guideline (ADAAG) requirements; and use of eco-friendly and recycled content and locally produced materials. With the implementation of the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) Energy Conservation, energy  savings in all new homes should meet or exceed those demonstrated in homes like the one pictured on  the cover. Contained in this edition of Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida is an overview of key  building features that affect building performance. Where appropriate, provisions of the Florida Energy  Conservation Code are also included. Topical areas addressed include: Siting and Passive Design FeaturesThe Building as a SystemAir Leakage- Materials and TechniquesInsulation Materials and TechniquesWindows and DoorsHeating Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)Duct Design and SealingDomestic Water HeatingAppliances and LightingIt is the intent of this book to guide designers and builders in ensuring that new and remodeled buildings,  at a minimum, meet the 2023 Florida Building Code with regard to energy efficiency. Ilt is also hoped  that many of the strategies and techniques included in this book become standard practices in the  construction or remodeling of buildings in Florida. The Program for Resource Efficient Communities would like to thank Ron and David Haase for their  generosity in allowing use of the photograph of the HAASE DESIGN office as the cover feature on  this edition of Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida. Ron Haase FAIA, Professor Emeritus at  the University of Florida, is the author of Classic Cracker: Florida's Wood-Frame Vernacular Architecture  (Pineapple Press, Sarasota). Program for Resource Efficient CommunitiesShimberg Center for Housing StudiesUniversity of Florida ISBN 978-0-9852487-6-5