Engineering Commons^™

Mitigation Of Airborne Contaminant Spread Through Simple Interventions In An Occupied Single-Family Home, Florida Solar Energy Center, Nazim Muradov

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Historically, reducing aerosol-based transmission of respired viruses in indoor environments has been of importance for controlling influenza viruses and common-cold rhinoviruses. The present public health emergency associated with SARS-CoV-2 makes this topic critically important. Yet to be tested is the potential effectiveness of simple interventions that create an isolation zone (IZ) for a suspected/confirmed sick or sensitive person requiring quarantine. The intent in existing homes is to find a practical means to mitigate exposure to airborne contaminants. In creating an IZ in an occupied single-family home in the study, four simple strategies were tested. The test configurations were: (1) IZ …

Lab Home Testing Of Residential Isolation Space Control To Minimize Infectious Disease Transmission In Existing Single-Family Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Tanvir Khan

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Existing evidence strongly suggests that viral infectious diseases can be transmitted via an airborne route across distances in indoor environments. Accordingly, the risk of airborne transmission within homes should be managed. The public health emergency associated with SARS-CoV-2 makes controlling airborne transmission of respired viruses in indoor environments critical, especially in poorly ventilated indoor environments. The effectiveness of engineering interventions requiring minor efforts that create a negative-pressure isolation zone (IZ) for a contagious person has yet to be tested for existing residential homes.

To mitigate the risk of airborne virus transmission and maximize health protection for the population in existing …

Lab Home Testing Of Residential Isolation Space Control To Minimize Infectious Disease Transmission In Existing Single-Family Homes -- Fact Sheet, Florida Solar Energy Center, Tanvir Khan

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The FSEC Energy Research Center at the University of Central Florida performed research to test the effectiveness of interventions to isolate an ill person recovering from a contagious disease in a single-family home from the rest of the occupants in the home. Focus was placed on interventions requiring minor cost and effort on the part of the occupants.

DOE/GO-102021-5537, https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/79519.pdf

Managing The Drivers Of Airflow And Water Vapor Transport In Existing Single-Family Homes (Revised), Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Air and water vapor are transported into and within single-family homes as a result of pathways and driving forces. Without pathways, no air or water vapor transport could occur. Likewise, without driving forces, little or no air or water vapor transport will occur. Homes always have pathways and driving forces. This report focuses on managing the driving forces that move air and water vapor across the building envelope.

Case Study Of An Innovative Hvac System With Integral Dehumidifier, Florida Solar Energy Center, Richard Raustad

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In most applications, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is controlled to maintain an indoor dry-bulb set point temperature. Moisture removal by the HVAC system is considered to be an operational byproduct. During summer months, the operation of the HVAC system is usually sufficient to meet both the sensible and latent cooling loads. However, during other times of the year when sensible loads are reduced, the moisture load can be significantly higher than the available moisture removal capacity of the air conditioning system. This can lead to elevated indoor relative humidity levels and an uncomfortable indoor environment. In many …

Mitigating The Impacts Of Uncontrolled Air Flow On Indoor Environmental Quality And Energy Demand In Non-Residential Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Hugh Henderson, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This project builds on previous field research in Florida that has demonstrated the significant impact that uncontrolled air flows (UAFs) have on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy use in small commercial buildings, a large but poorly understood segment of the nation's building stock. The goal of this project was to extend that research to a national scale by assessing the importance of UAFs in a sample of 25 commercial buildings in New York State. The differences in climate and construction techniques between New York and Florida are expected to bound the range conditions typically found on a national basis. …

School Conditions Will Continue To Earn Failing Grades, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study addresses indoor air quality and general conditions problems in schools throughout the United States. Tools employed to investigate conditions include a nationwide, web-based survey, characterization of actual operating conditions in schools through field audits and diagnostic tests, and retrofits in problem schools.

Survey results found temperature to be by far the greatest comfort complaint in regular classrooms, with indoor air quality (IAQ) and then humidity being the next greatest areas of complaints. Ventilation problems were found at each of eight audited schools. These problems appear to be occurring due to a combination of factors including lack of maintenance, …

Abstract/Conclusion: Understanding The Dehumidification Performance Of Air-Conditioning Equipment At Part-Load Conditions, Florida Solar Energy Center, Don B. Shirey Iii

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Air conditioner cooling coils typically provide both sensible cooling and moisture removal. Data from a limited number of field studies (Khattar et al. 1985; Henderson and Rengarajan 1996; Henderson 1998) have demonstrated that the moisture removal capacity of a cooling coil degrades at part-load conditions, especially when the supply fan operates continuously while the cooling coil cycles on and off. Degradation occurs because moisture that condenses on the coil surfaces during the cooling cycle evaporates back into air stream when the coil is off. This degradation affects the ability of cooling equipment to maintain proper indoor humidity levels and may …

Understanding The Dehumidification Performance Of Air-Conditioning Equipment At Part-Load Conditions, Florida Solar Energy Center, Don B. Shirey Iii

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Air conditioner cooling coils typically provide both sensible cooling and moisture removal. Data from a limited number of field studies (Khattar et al. 1985; Henderson and Rengarajan 1996; Henderson 1998) have demonstrated that the moisture removal capacity of a cooling coil degrades at part-load conditions - especially when the supply fan operates continuously while the cooling coil cycles on and off. Degradation occurs because moisture that condenses on the coil surfaces during the cooling cycle evaporates back into air stream when the coil is off. This degradation affects the ability of cooling equipment to maintain proper indoor humidity levels and …

Standards For Clean Air Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Subrato Chandra

FSEC Energy Research Center®

These standards are designed for new, slab on grade homes built in Florida. Changes to the standards may be necessary for other house construction types. These standards are not meant to be exclusionary. The home builder may submit alternative materials or design details which will result in equivalent performance. These standards complement all building codes and do not supersede any codes.

Monitored Summer Peak Attic Air Temperatures In Florida Residences, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has analyzed measured summer attic air temperature data taken for some 21 houses (three with two different roof configurations) over the last several years. The analysis is in support of the calculation within ASHRAE Special Project 152P which will be used to estimate duct system conductance gains which are exposed to the attic space. Knowledge of prevailing attic thermal conditions are critical to the duct heat transfer calculations for estimation of impacts on residential cooling system sizing.

The field data was from a variety of residential monitoring projects which were classified according to intrinsic differences …

Indoor Air Quality Impacts Of Uncontrolled Air Flow And Depressurization In Eight Commercial Buildings In Central Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Field investigations were done in 68 commercial buildings to identify uncontrolled air flows and pressure imbalances. Results from eight buildings (six restaurants and two sports facilities) are reported in this paper. Testing included building airtightness tests, identification of building air barrier location, duct system airtightness, characterization of pressure differentials, building air flow balance, and infiltration/ventilation rates. Six restaurants and one sports facility were found to operate at negative pressures which ranged from -0.003 inWC (-0.8 Pa) to -0.173 inWC (-43 Pa) and averaged -0.051 inWC (-12.7 Pa) under normal operation. A second sports facility operates partially at positive pressure and …

Radiant Barriers: A Question And Answer Primer, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Attic radiant barriers made of aluminum foil are becoming a popular way for homeowners to save energy and money in Southern states. They are increasing in popularity for two reasons. First, tests by the Florida Solar Energy Center and other groups show that they work. Second, manufacturers are improving the quality of radiant barrier materials.

To most homeowners, attic radiant barriers are a new energy conservation concept; many of them have questions about how radiant barriers work and how to use them. This Energy Note answers some of the most commonly asked questions. It also recommends ways to install radiant …