Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Slab Foundation Heat Transfer On Heating And Cooling In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction (BA-PIRC) performed experiments in the Florida Solar Energy Center's Flexible Residential Test Facility intended to assess for the first time (1) how slab-on-grade construction influences interior cooling in a cooling-dominated climate and (2) how the difference in a carpeted versus uncarpeted building might influence heating and cooling energy use.

Investigating Solutions To Wind Washing Issues In Two-Story Florida Homes, Phase 2, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

With U.S. Department of Energy goals of reducing existing home energy use by 30% and new home energy use by 50%, it is imperative to focus on several energy efficiency measures, including the quality of air and thermal barriers. This report provides results from a second-phase research study of a phenomenon generally referred to as wind washing. Wind washing is the movement of unconditioned air around or through building thermal barriers in such a way as to diminish or nullify the intended thermal performance. This study focused on the impact of poorly sealed and insulated floor cavities adjacent to attic …

New Construction Builders Challenge: Sealed Attic And High Efficiency Hvac In Central Florida: A Year In Review Monitored Prototypes - Springwater Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Carlos Colon

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In 2010 the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), with funding from the Building America program, was involved with a new Builders Challenge builder located in Rockledge, Florida -- Springwater Homes (see figure 1). The newly constructed home in March 2010, features a sealed attic with R-27 roof deck insulation (shown in figure 2). Selection of the HVAC system, an important aspect to achieve high efficiency levels in buildings, ended with one of the highest residential equipment systems available in the U.S., the Nutone IQ Drive (SEER 21). The house was confirmed with a HERS index of 53 using the EnergyGauge …

Field Monitoring And Hourly Simulation Of Energy And Demand Savings From Use Of The Telkonet Ss5000 System Hotel Ac Occupancy Control, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Air conditioning and heating control systems were installed in a 56-room hotel in central Florida. Thermostat setpoints in half of the rooms were adjusted when the room was detected to be unoccupied. Heating and cooling energy use was monitored for a period of 9.5 months. Energy and demand savings were analyzed.

Nightcool: Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept, Long Term Performance Evaluation, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Sherwin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An experimental evaluation has been conducted on a building-integrated night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates. The system uses a sealed attic covered by a highly conductive metal roof (a roof integrated radiator) which is selectively linked by air flow to the main zone with the attic zone to provide cooling - largely during nighttime hours. Available house mass is used to store sensible cooling. The system's capability for solar dehumidification with minimal electricity input is demonstrated with long-term performance data taken over 2007 - 2009. A year-long study period …

Energy And Environmental Integration Through A Green Municipality Designation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Most local green building programs in existence seek to bestow a "green designation" on a builder, building owner, or developer with residential, commercial, and development standards. Municipalities, however, play an important role in making green building become "business as usual" rather than a conscious choice made by few. Municipalities can set an example to the community by incorporating green building techniques in the construction and operation of public and government buildings, play a vital role in community education, and can create incentives and mandates to foster green building within the community. Florida's green building program has set out to create …

The Importance Of Site Surveys In Florida's Pv Buildings Program, Florida Solar Energy Center, Kevin Lynn

FSEC Energy Research Center®

One of the goals of the Florida PV Buildings Program is to ensure that only quality utility-interactive PV systems are installed in the state. One important component of the Program is the site survey. The purpose of the site survey is to inspect the potential location for PV system before beginning construction, ensuring it is a sensible place to install it. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the method used by this Program and to present some examples that will demonstrate why it is important.

Executive Summary: Comparative Evaluation Of The Impact Of Roofing Systems On Residential Cooling Energy Demand In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Sherwin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Roof and attic thermal performance exert a powerful influence on cooling energy use in Florida homes. Unshaded residential roofs are heated by solar radiation causing high afternoon attic air temperatures. The large influence on cooling is due to increased ceiling heat transfer as well as heat gains to the duct systems which are typically located in the attic space (Figure E-1). The Florida Power and Light Company and the Florida Solar Energy Center instrumented six side-by-side Habitat homes in Ft. Myers, Florida with identical floor plans and orientation, R-19 ceiling insulation, but with different roofing systems designed to reduce attic …

Energy Efficient Design For Florida Educational Facilities, Florida Solar Energy Center, Janet Mcilvaine

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This manual addresses energy efficiency options for new educational facilities in Florida. The recommendations may not be valid when considered outside Florida's hot humid climate or for purposes other than new construction.

Construction funds spent on new construction heavily outweigh (67%) those spent on retrofit, as reported in an annual statistical analysis published by American School and University (September 1992). The comprehensive survey showed that construction funds for new educational facilities nationwide have risen for eight consecutive years, and no region has experienced more growth than the Southeast. Currently, funds spent on energy services (excluding capital outlay, salaries, benefits, and …

Program Plan For Photovoltaic Buildings In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Gerard Ventre

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document outlines plans developed by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to support photovoltaic (PV) building applications in the State through the next decade. Implementation of the plan will be a collaborative effort among the Florida Energy Office (FEO) of the Department of Community Affairs, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the photovoltaic industry, nine end-user groups, and FSEC.

Solar Weatherization Assistance Program, Program Final Report, Volume 1: Main Report. 08-25-98, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Harrison

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Solar Weatherization Assistance Program (SWAP) was a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to provide solar water heating systems for low-income residents in Florida.

Raising families, incurring everyday bills and purchasing common necessities are all part of daily life that can rapidly drain a family's budget. This is especially burdensome for low-income and elderly residents on a fixed income. A major part of the budgetary concerns are the recurrent and unavoidable electric bills.

In northern colder climates, weatherization programs assist low-income clients …

Energy Efficiency For Florida Educational Facilities: The 1996 Energy Survey Of Florida Schools, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A detailed survey of energy use and related physical and operational characteristics of Florida's public schools has been completed. A mailed survey instrument was sent to all 2,512 schools throughout the state in March 1996. A total of 1,298 surveys were returned -- a response rate of approximately 52%. Of these some 680 provided matching utility data. The survey data was analyzed to create a school energy use profile as well as to identify characteristics that may influence efficiency. Based on our findings, the total annual energy cost for the Florida school system totaled $205 million in 1995. As shown …

Solar Water Heating Options In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Harrison

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document is intended to acquaint Florida's general public with typical methods of heating household water by means of the sun. The types of solar systems discussed are pumped (both direct and indirect), thermosiphon and integral collector storage.

Solar Hot Water Energy And Cost Savings For Typical Florida Residential Installations, Florida Solar Energy Center, David Block

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The following table presents energy and cost savings for four typical Florida solar water heating systems. Exact savings by a consumer may vary as much as plus or minus 25 from these numbers for numerous reasons. These include hot water usage, storage tank type, thermostat settings, solar system size, collector placement and local weather conditions. Computer simulations were used to generate the energy data.

Florida Exterior Wall Insulation Field Test: Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, Stephen Barkaszi

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have conducted a field test of exterior insulation applied to Florida masonry residences. Approximately 50% of Florida's six million existing residences are of concrete block construction. Many of these homes, particularly those 15 years or older, have uninsulated walls.

Within the project, two single-family homes in Central Florida were extensively monitored to measure the energy savings of the technology. The primary objective was to examine the effect exterior insulation has on air conditioning (AC) energy use and peak electrical demand for two typical residences. A secondary objective was …

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 …

Measured Electricity Savings Of Refrigerator Replacement: Case Study And Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ted Stedman

FSEC Energy Research Center®

There are approximately seven million refrigerator-freezers in the State of Florida. The average demand of these units is at least 1,000 MW. The average life of a residential refrigerator is approximately 20 years (U.S. DOE, 1989). At least 25% of Florida's existing stock are old inefficient units built before the advent of recent appliance efficiency standards. The least efficient are existing models of which approximately 5% of the stock is replaced each year. This represents a significant opportunity for efficiency improvement since recently established standards will greatly improve refrigerator efficiency by 1993 (NAECA, 1987). A number of studies have identified …

Investigation Of Air Distribution System Leakage And Its Impacts In Central Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Testing for air leakage in air distribution systems was done in 160 central Florida homes. Tracer gas tests found that infiltration rates were three times greater when the air handler was operating that when it was off, indicating that there are large leaks in the air distribution system. Infiltration averaged 0.91 air changes per hour (ach) with the air handler (AH) operating continuously and 0.28 ach with the AH off. Return leaks were measured by tracer gas and found to average 10.7% of AH total flow. House airtightness, in 99 of these homes, determined by blower door testing, averaged 12.7 …

Measuring Thermostat And Air Conditioner Performance In Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Hugh Henderson, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report summarizes the experimental results from 30 field tests in 23 Central Florida homes during the Summer of 1990. Detailed thermostat measurements were made at each site for a one to three day period. The purpose of this study was to determine how thermostats operate in actual buildings. This knowledge is necessary to understand the part load performance of air conditioners (ACs).

Impacts Of Duct Leakage On Infiltration Rates, Space Conditioning Energy Use, And Peak Electrical Demand In Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Testing for duct leakage was done in 91 homes. Tracer gas tests found that infiltration rates were four times greater when the air handler was operating than when it was off. Return leaks were found to average 10.0% of air handler total flow. House airtightness, in 63 of these homes, determined by blower door testing, averaged 12.38 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50). When the duct registers were sealed, ACH50 decreased to 10.93, indicating that 11.7% of the house leaks were in the duct system.

Duct repairs were made on 25 homes. Blower door tests found 12.30 air …

Dealing With Heat & Humidity In Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Energy conservation is the solution to the problem of high electric bills. Much is known about home heating conservation, but conservation measures for cooling are not as well-known or widely practiced. This energy note focuses on heat and humidity sources that cause Floridians to run their air conditioners. It also presents conservation techniques that will reduce those air-conditioning requirements.

Energy-Efficient Florida Home Building Manual (Revised 1992), Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This manual presents practical, real-life recommendations on how to design and build homes in Florida. It contains information specific to our state's climate and lifestyles, rather than the overly general information found in most residential building publications. The book was developed in 1992 as an all-inclusive guide for anyone interested in constructing homes that are efficient. It is packed with information that will help you plan such homes, choose the best materials and products for the homes, and if you are a builder or developer - sell and profit from them. The files are all in PDF format. The file …