Danny S. Parker

Research highlights from a large scale residential monitoring study in a hot climate

A utility load research project has monitored a large number of residences in Central Florida, collecting detailed end-use data. The monitoring was performed to better estimate the impact of a load control program, as well as obtain improved appliance energy load profiles. The monitoring measured total as well as a number of electrical end-uses on a 15 min basis. The measured end-uses included space cooling, heating, water heating, range and cooking, clothes drying, and swimming pools electricity use and demand. The project identified a number of influences on electrical demand that are not commonly described.

Pilot Evaluation of Energy Savings from Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices

2 Introduction 2 Technology Summary 3 Past Studies 4 Recent Studies in Japan and Canada 4 Energy Feedback Monitor 5 Two-Million Home Control Group 6 Evaluation Results 8 Findings from Survey 9 Future Research 10 Conclusions 10 Acknowledgments 11 References 12 Appendices: A. Survey Instrument B. Analysis Plots for Individual Sites

Roof solar reflectance and cooling energy use: field research results from Florida

Abstract Traditionally, architects have recognized that reflective building colors can reduce building thermal loads. Experiments in Florida have examined the impact of reflective roof coatings on air conditioning energy use in a series of tests on occupied homes. The experiments were conducted on nine residential buildings from 1991 to 1994 using a before and after test protocol where the roofs were whitened at midsummer. Measured air conditioner electrical savings in the buildings during similar pre and post-weather periods averaged 19%, ranging from a low of 2% to a high of 43%. Utility peak coincident peak savings averaged 22% with a similar range of values. Cooling energy reductions appear to depend also on initial ceiling insulation level and roof solar reflectance, air duct system location and air conditioner sizing.

Simulation of the effects of duct leakage and heat transfer on residential space-cooling energy use

Abstract A detailed building energy simulation, FSEC 2.1, has been used to determine the relative significance of duct leakage and heat transfer on space-cooling energy use in Florida houses. A comprehensive calculation procedure has been developed to predict duct air leakage based on duct leakage areas and associated operating pressures. The effect of the leakage on building air infiltration and air-conditioning electrical demand is estimated based on the mass transport and the sources of the various airflows. Heat transfer to the duct system is estimated using calculations based on previous experimental research on duct conductances. Results show that the impacts of duct systems on air-conditioning loads are strongly time-dependent, exacerbating electrical demand during utility summer peak periods and increasing air-conditioner run-time. The impact of duct leakage was found to be of the largest magnitude followed by heat transfer to the duct system itself. Air handler return-side air leak source temperature and enthalphy were also found to be significant in terms of air-conditioner loads. Detailed measurements of air-conditioner electrical demand taken in a house before and after duct leak repair is provided for comparison with simulation results.

Residential equipment part load curves for use in DOE-2

DOE-2 (DOE2 90) includes several correlation curves that predict the energy use of systems underpart load conditions. DOE-2 simulates systems on an hour-by-hour basis, so the correlations are intended to predict part load energy use (and efficiency) as a function of the part load ratio (PLR) for each hour, where PLR = Hourly Load/Available Capacity. Generally residential and small commercial HVAC equipment meets the load at off-design conditions by cycling on and off. Therefore, the part load correlations must predict the degradation due to this on and off operation over an hourly interval.

Cost-Effectiveness of Home Energy Retrofits in Pre-Code Vintage Homes in the United States

This analytical study examines the opportunities for cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits in residential archetypes constructed prior to 1980 (Pre-Code) in fourteen U.S. cities. These fourteen cities are representative of each of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) climate zones in the contiguous U.S. The analysis is conducted using an in-house version of EnergyGauge USA v.2.8.05 named CostOpt that has been programmed to perform iterative, incremental economic optimization on a large list of residential energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofit measures. The principle objectives of the study are as follows: to determine the opportunities for cost effective source energy reductions in this large cohort of existing residential building stock as a function of local climate and energy costs; and to examine how retrofit financing alternatives impact the source energy reductions that are cost effectively achievable.

Measured air-conditioning and thermal performance of a Thai residential building

We describe the measured air-conditioning and thermal performance of a typical Thai single-family residence. Although the measurements represent a single case study, it is the first time that an analysis has been performed on a Thai house with typical modern construction. In such buildings, the lack of building thermal insulation, the utilization of non-ducted air-conditioning equipment and the night-only usage patterns are quite different from conditions prevailing in Western-style buildings. Our results show that reduction to ceiling heat transfer in residential Thai buildings is fundamental to improving cooling energy efficiency.††The study is part of the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) dealing with a larger effort by the World Bank to promote energy efficiency in Thailand. The intent of this project is to evaluate potential cooling energy saving measures for Thailands residential sector.

Data on cost-optimal Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) across Europe

This data article refers to the research paper A model for the cost-optimal design of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) in representative climates across Europe [1]. The reported data deal with the design optimization of a residential building prototype located in representative European locations. The study focus on the research of cost-optimal choices and efficiency measures in new buildings depending on the climate. The data linked within this article relate to the modelled building energy consumption, renewable production, potential energy savings, and costs. Data allow to visualize energy consumption before and after the optimization, selected efficiency measures, costs and renewable production. The reduction of electricity and natural gas consumption towards the NZEB target can be visualized together with incremental and cumulative costs in each location. Further data is available about building geometry, costs, CO2 emissions, envelope, materials, lighting, appliances and systems.

Side-by-Side Testing of Water Heating Systems: Results from the 2010 - 2011 Evaluation

This document is no longer available. Please contact Stacey.Rothgeb@nrel.gov for further information.

Comparison of the ENERGYGAUGE USA and BEopt Building Energy Simulation Programs

This report compares two hourly energy simulation softwares, BEopt and Energy Gauge USA, to ensure accuracy and evaluate agreement on the impact of various energy efficiency improvements.