Engineering Commons^™

Analysis Of Differences Between 2018 Iecc R406 Code Compliance And Ansi/Resnet/Icc Standard 301, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

EnergyGauge USA is used to study outdoor air ventilation rates in energy-efficient, one-story 2000 ft², 3 bedroom, single-family homes in sixteen representative U.S. cities. Each of the 16 home archetypes is configured to be minimally compliant with the score requirements of Table R406.4 of the 2018 IECC as determined in accordance with ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301-2014. Each home is also configured to comply using two different compliance methods: the first with only high-efficiency options and the second utilizing on-site photovoltaic power generation. Each home configuration is evaluated using the ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 Reference Home ventilation specification and again using the 2018 …

Cost Effectiveness Of Energy Efficiency And On-Site Photovoltaic Power For 2015 International Energy Conservation Code Eri (Energy Rating Index) Compliance, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

No abstract provided.

Cost Effectiveness Of 2015 Iecc Compliance Using The Hers Index, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The EnergyGauge HERS software tool is used to examine the 2012 IECC Standard Reference Design (IECC SRD) configuration for three-bedroom, one-story 2000 ft² and three-bedroom, two-story 2,400 ft² single-family homes in sixteen representative U.S. cities. The energy use of the 2012 SRD homes is compared against the energy use of homes complying with the 2015 IECC using the ERI compliance method. HERS simulations for each home are conducted for both a best case home orientation and a worst case home orientation. Improvements to the 2012 IECC SRD homes are made such that the HERS Index for the homes …

Comparative Performance Analysis: Hers Index Score Dependencies Related To Home Geometries And Operating Assumptions, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

EnergyGauge USA v.3.1.02 is used examine the impact of geometry and operating conditions on comparative simulation analysis techniques that are used to evaluate home energy performance with respect to a standardized reference case. A cohort of homes is simulated using the HERS Index scoring system in 15 U.S. cities that are representative of the 8 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) climate zones. All of the homes are configured to have the thermal envelope characteristics specified by Table R402.1.1 of the 2012 IECC. All homes are also configured to meet all other mandatory requirements of the 2012 IECC, including 75% high …

Geographic Variation In Potential Of Residential Solar Hot Water System Performance In The United States, Florida Solar Energy Center, Camilo Gil

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This paper describes an assessment of residential solar water heater performance around the continental United States. We performed annual simulations using an hourly simulation model (EGUSA) for 212 TMY3 weather locations around the nation. The annual simulations show how standard hot water energy use for electric and gas systems vary geographically (kWh and therms) as well as the potential energy savings from solar water heaters. A key finding is that the energy necessary for water heating varies by 2:1 around the U.S. with implications for solar water heating system design and sizing. Our results provide information on expected water heater …

Comparison Of The Energygauge Usa And Beopt Building Energy Simulation Programs, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Two hourly energy simulation software, BEopt and Energy Gauge USA, were compared to ensure accuracy and evaluate agreement on the impact of various energy efficiency improvements. Within the Building America program, these software aid design teams working toward the U.S. Department of Energy's goal to make Zero Energy Homes economically viable by 2025. Builders use the software to achieve the extensive energy savings (70%-80%) from various measures before adding solar electric power generation. The study found that in general, BEopt and EnergyGauge USA agree fairly well on the impact of energy efficiency improvements, while identifying several discrepancies that need further …

Energy Impacts Of Various Residential Mechanical Ventilation Strategies, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Building America program has been working with home builders for more than a decade using a variety of strategies for bringing fresh air into the homes. Many of these strategies utilize the central air handler fan from the HVAC system to ventilate when the system runs. Controllers can be purchased to force the air to enter for minimum periods of time or to shut off outside air dampers after some period of runtime. EnergyGauge USA, a detailed hourly residential simulation program, has been modified to simulate the various runtime strategies, as well as supply- or exhaust-only ventilation strategies and …

Energy Efficient Renovations Of Storm Damaged Residences - Florida Case Studies, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neil Moyer

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Storm-damaged homes offer the opportunity for repairs that reduce energy use, improve comfort and enhance resistance to future storms. Case studies of four Florida homes damaged in the summer of 2004 were documented to show the costs and benefits of various retrofit strategies. All four homes required roof replacement and each took advantage of roof cladding with higher reflectance than the original, a proven means of reducing cooling energy use. Two of the case studies included improvements to attic insulation, tightening of the envelope and/or duct system and improved efficiency equipment and lighting. Energy savings attributable to storm repairs were …

Validation Of Energygauge® Usa Using The Hers Bestest, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report presents results from the testing and validation of the EnergyGauge USA home energy rating software conducted using the HERS BESTEST procedures. The results show that EnergyGauge USA is an excellent and verifiable simulation program that is capable of meeting all national requirements for home energy rating software tools.

Sunup To Sundown - Energygauge Usa 2.0, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

You need special tools to design high-performance homes - residences where energy efficiency creates greater comfort, health, and energy savings. Making decisions about energy efficiency requires the accurate calculation of energy use and demand, and the comprehensive evaluation of proposed improvements.

A new software tool helps meet these requirements. EnergyGauge USA, an hourly simulation tool for the design and analysis of high-performance homes, performs detailed hourly simulation analysis for energy use, ratings and code calculations. Version 2.0 adds many features to the first-generation product, including thermal mass, photovoltaic (PV) system simulation, solar water heating, and detailed hourly outputs.

The software, …

Evaluation Of Energygauge Usa, A Residential Energy Design Software, Against Monitored Data, Florida Solar Energy Center, Brian Fuehrlein

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A new software, EnergyGauge USA®, is being developed for calculation of energy use in residential buildings. A simplified user interface allows buildings to be quickly defined and evaluated. Utilization of the DOE-2.1E energy simulation engine brings the computing power of hourly simulation to designers and raters. The software has enhancements to better simulate duct systems, air infiltration, attic and foundation thermal performance, heat pump part load characteristics and internal moisture capacitance.

A recurring question with building energy software, regardless of the calculation rigor, is the relative accuracy of the estimates, particularly for cooling loads. To address this question, the software …

Energygauge Usa: A Residential Building Energy Simulation Design Tool, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is developing a new software (EnergyGauge USA) which allows simple calculation and rating of energy use of residential buildings around the United States. In the past, most residential analysis and rating software have used simplified methods for calculation of residential building energy performance due to limitations on computing speed. However, EnergyGauge USA, takes advantage of current generation personal computers that perform an hourly annual computer simulation in less than 30 seconds. A simplified user interface allows buildings to be quickly defined while bringing the computing power and accuracy of an hourly computer simulation to …