Engineering Commons^™

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 …

Resilient Florida Buildings: Alternative Fuel Options For Maintaining Power During Outages, Brochure, Florida Solar Energy Center, Colleen Mccann Kettles

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Electricity outages impact buildings as well as the fueling infrastructure that delivers energy resources for power generation and transportation. A fueling infrastructure with minimal downtime during power outages is needed to increase the resiliency of buildings and the economy. This brochure describes alternative fuels to consider for a buildings resiliency plan. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Energy Technology Development Program Award Number DE-EE0008880. FSEC Art#: BLDG-89 Updated: 05/20/2021

Metal And Flexible Duct Systems Impacts Upon Cooling Energy And Performance, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Flexible duct is commonly used throughout the U.S. in residential construction. It performs well when installed in accordance with industry standards, however, they are often not installed as such. Issues such as not cutting ducts to the exact length needed, and instead using significantly more duct, result in compression and higher static pressure. Poorly supported ducts or turns without proper radius also increase static pressure. A research project was completed to evaluate the differences in performance between a metal duct and flexible duct systems in two side-by-side otherwise identical residential laboratories. Testing evaluated three different flex duct system configurations compared …

Market Driven Residential Energy Codes: Comparing Performance In A Changing Technical Environment, Code Official Survey Results, Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Fenaughty

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The DOE Code Survey conducted for this project was launched on 2/18/2020 and closed 3/20/2020. There were 907 participants responding to at least some portion of the 48 question survey, though some questions received poor attention. Note that the number of responses to each question varies by design and depends on answers to prior questions. Further, multiple answers are sometimes allowed.

Measured Cooling Energy Savings From Reflective Wall Finishes: Evaluation As An Efficiency Measure Across Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In past research, reflective roofs have shown significant potential to reduce cooling in buildings. However, there have been few empirical evaluations of cooling reductions from changing wall reflectance. In the reported study, several experiments with instrumented scale test buildings are used to provide validation for a detailed simulation analysis across varied North American climates. The simulations establish the potential of reflective walls as an efficiency measure in existing buildings against climate.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

Measured Energy And Moisture Performance Impacts From Vented And Unvented Attic With Insulation On Top Of Ceiling In The Hot Humid Climate Zone, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Sealing attic vents helps decrease house air leakage and may reduce some moisture issues in attics in hot humid climates. new code-approved unvented attics can use different types of insulation materials, however, there are specific requirements that vary by materials used and climate zone. These requirements may be complex and may increase construction and operational energy costs.

This paper was published in the 2020 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

City Of New Smyrna Beach Solar Feasibility Assessment, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

At the request of the City of New Smyrna Beach, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) assessed rooftop solar and building energy efficiency improvement potential for 17 city-owned facilities. The intent has been to assist City leaders in identifying opportunities to reduce the City's overall electricity consumption and increase its use of renewable energy.

The FSEC team conducted Level 1 energy audit activities and site assessments including:

On-site assessment

• Solar feasibility measurements and characterization including orientation, roof shading (adjacent structures, encroaching trees, etc.), available roof area, system output, annualized savings
• HVAC characterization
• Lighting survey
• Occupancy density, schedule, thermostat settings

Post …

Environmental And Economic Implications Of Energy Efficiency In New Residential Buildings: A Multi-Criteria Selection Approach, Florida Solar Energy Center, Delia D'Agostino

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The choice of the most appropriate technologies in buildings is often a challenge at the design stage, especially when many different criteria are taken into account. Consequently, the decision process relies often on one criterion only, such as costs or energy savings. We propose a multi-criteria approach based on multi-attribute utility theory to assess alternative energy efficiency measures, explicitly considering both environmental and economic criteria. We apply it to the design of a new residential building in Milan (Italy), with the aim to maximize CO₂ emission savings related to electricity and gas consumption, and to minimize embodied energy and …

How Will Climate Alter Efficiency Objectives? Simulated Impact Of Using Recent Versus Historic European Weather Data For The Cost-Optimal Design Of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (Nzebs), Florida Solar Energy Center, Delia D'Agostino

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Achieving "nearly zero energy buildings" (NZEB) has been established as a vital objective over the next decade within the European Union (EU) [1, 2]. Previous work has shown that a series of very cost-effective thermal efficiency measures, equipment, appliance and renewable energy choices are available across climates to reach the NZEB objective. Resulting detailed energy and economic optimization findings have been obtained and published. One area that has just begun to be explored, however, is how selection of weather files and their application against coming climate change can influence outcomes from energy optimization procedures.

Presented at: CLIMA 2019, REHVA 13th …

City Of New Smyrna Beach Solar Feasibility Assessment - City Hall Annex, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This review and solar assessment is organized by component with brief description of intended details, challenges and recommendations.

Building: City of New Smyrna Beach, City Hall Annex (Renovation of a portion of the Historic First Baptist Church of New Smyrna Beach) Year of Construction: 1920's[1] Building Use: Renovation will create spaces for City workers and a new City Council Chambers Conditioned area: 1^st floor = 7856 ft² 2^nd floor = 3,967 ft² Total = 11,823 ft²[2]

[1] New Smyrna Beach Property Appraiser's website states 1920, historic marker states circa 1929. [2] New Smyrna …

Comparison Of The 6th Edition Florida Building Energy Conservation Code With Iecc 2018 & Ashrae 90.1-2016, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study provides a comparison between the 6th Edition (2017) Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), based on approved 2015 to 2018 IECC changes included in the International Code document. And provides a stringency evaluation and cost-benefit analysis for those changes that impact energy use, to provide guidance for the upcoming 2017 to 2020 Florida Energy Code change cycle.

Investigation Of Energy Impacts Of Whole-House Ducted Dehumidifier Location, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report discusses energy impacts related to how ducted dehumidifier ducts are configured as well as where they are located. Lab controlled testing evaluated three different duct configurations. The three DHU lab test configurations were: 1) DHU air ducted directly from/to room, 2) DHU ducted from/to the central air return duct, and 3) DHU from/to the central air supply duct. Simulation effort evaluated conductive energy gains/losses through dehumidifier and its ducts for 1) conditioned space, 2) attic, and garage locations.

Residential Air Leakage Testing And Mechanical Ventilation Verification, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This project is intended to answer the following four questions regarding residential building air leakage testing and whole-house mechanical ventilation requirements as stated in the 2016 Supplement 1 changes to the 5th Edition (2014) Florida Energy Conservation Code, and now continued in the 6th Edition (2017) Code: - Is the new requirement to test residential air leakage being followed? - Who is providing the air leakage testing? - Are accurate air leakage rate test values being reported? - Is whole-house mechanical ventilation being installed in applicable cases?

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

Data On Cost-Optimal Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (Nzebs) Across Europe, Florida Solar Energy Center, Delia D'Agostino

FSEC Energy Research Center®

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 modeled 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 …

Electric Vehicle Grid Experiments And Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Richard Raustad

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This project developed a low cost building energy management system (EMS) and conducted vehicle-to-grid (V2G) experiments on a commercial office building. The V2G effort included the installation and operation of a Princeton Power System CA-30 bi-directional power system. These experiments targeted the reduction of utility peak electrical demand for a commercial office building. In each case, total building peak demand was managed through a computer algorithm to limit the charging rate of electric vehicles or used the vehicle's on-board traction battery as a storage device to minimize peak electrical loads.

Electric Vehicle Interaction At The Electrical Circuit Level, Florida Solar Energy Center, Shawyun Sariri

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A large growth in energy demand has increased renewable energy penetration into existing power grid infrastructures, as well as spurring increased research into demand response programs. But before implementing an efficient demand response program, it is first necessary to understand the power usage behaviors of a consumer. This paper presents a real-time data acquisition system for the collection and storage of power data that will allow the study of demand response in an urban area, which can be applied to the efficient use of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Demand response programs are an ideal alternative to costly energy storage …

Field And Laboratory Testing Of Approaches To Smart Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation Control, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Whole-house mechanical ventilation is a critical component to a comprehensive strategy for good indoor air quality (IAQ). However, due to lack of integration with standard heating and cooling systems, and perceptions from a portion of the homebuilding industry about risks related to increased energy use, increased cost, and decreased comfort, voluntary and code-required adoption varies amongst regions. Smart ventilation controls (SVC) balance energy consumption, comfort, and IAQ by optimizing mechanical ventilation operation to reduce the heating and/or cooling loads, improve management of indoor moisture, and maintain IAQ equivalence according to ASHRAE 62.2.Suggested Citation:Martin, E.; Fernaughty, K.; Parker, D.; Lubliner, M.; …

Measured Performance Of A High-Efficiency Solar-Assisted Heat Pump Water Heater, Florida Solar Energy Center, Carlos Colon

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This paper describes a novel solar photovoltaic-assisted heat pump water heater (PV-HPWH). The system uses two 310 Wp PV modules, micro-inverters and innovative controls to produce and store daily hot water. The system likely costs half that of solar thermal systems, with greater reliability, no freeze protection and potentially superior performance in cloudy locations. Moreover, no net metering is needed for the PV, which with two modules makes for a simple installation.The HPWH controls have been modified through experimentation such that higher tank temperatures are achieved during the day when solar availability is high while avoiding triggering the compressor during …

Phased Deep Retrofit Project: Real-Time Measurement Of Energy End-Uses And Retrofit Opportunities, Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Fenaughty

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This paper describes how utilities can 'make reductions real' through real-time measurement of energy end-uses and corresponding retrofit opportunities. A field evaluation of the methodology was conducted from 2012 to 2016 with Florida Power and Light (FPL), an investor owned utility. A collaborative program between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America and FPL led to an ambitious residential energy-efficiency retrofit study aimed to represent FPL's customer base. Fifty-six existing, all electric, occupied Florida homes were instrumented to collect one-minute data on most all energy end-uses in advance of energy-efficiency retrofits. Baseline measurements enabled the development of end-use profiles …

Improved Hot Water Code Calculation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The purpose of this report is to identify hot water waste sources, characterize the implications of climatic differences on hot water use and characterize the energy impacts of hot water recirculation systems and controls with respect to energy consumption in Florida homes, and recommend Florida-specific methods that can be employed in the Florida Energy Code for residential hot water use and energy consumption calculations.

Residential Performance Code Methodology For Crediting Dehumidification And Smart Vent Applications Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As energy efficiency reduces the hours where air conditioning is called for, and as codes require outdoor air to be brought into homes, humidity levels in homes may rise to the point where dehumidification is required. However, there are currently no standards in Florida's Energy Conservation Code for dehumidification. Thus, a mechanical contractor that invests in an expense such as variable speed heat pumps or heat pipe technology in order to dehumidify and save energy receives little benefit relative to another home that installs an inefficient dehumidifier. A reference home dehumidification strategy needs to be established.Another strategy to reduce interior …

Design Of A Very High Efficiency Evaporatively Cooled Mini-Split Air Conditioner, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An in-house research project at the Florida Solar Energy Center in 2013 was conducted to evaluate the potential of an evaporatively cooled mini-split heat pump. The mini-split heat pump modified was a 1.5-ton Fujitsu model with 19.2 SEER and 10.0 HSPF energy efficiency ratings. Cooling capacity of the system is variable and ranges from 7,000 to 23,000 Btu/h.

We demonstrated that it is possible to improve the energy efficiency of the evaluated mini-split air conditioner by 21% seasonally in Florida's humid climate using an evaporative pre-cooler. Further, we showed the same apparatus was able to improve air conditioner efficiency by …

Residential Code Review For The 2017 Florida Building Energy Code, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The project reviews provisions of the proposed 2017 residential Florida building energy code in order to make a determination if it meets or exceeds the 2015 IECC code.

Pv-Driven Heat Pump Water Heater Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, Carlos Colon

FSEC Energy Research Center®

As part of the effort towards zero energy buildings and high efficiency water heating systems, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) working under contract with the National Renewable Energy laboratories (NREL) has successfully completed a demonstration of a photovoltaic heat pump water heater (PV-HPWH) concept. The system integrates two 310Wp solar photovoltaics (PV) modules and grid tied micro-inverters with a commercially available 50-gallon HPWH. The project showcases innovative strategies for distributed PV thermal systems that limit grid interaction and provide increased thermal energy storage. The system utilizes a custom appliance control module (ACM) interface to vary thermostat settings (115 °F …

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 W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

EnergyGauge® USA v.5.1 is used to simulate the energy use of one-story, three bedroom, 2000 ft², single-family, frame homes in sixteen representative U.S. climates comprising all eight IECC climate zones. The energy use of the Section R406.2 minimum efficiency home (the Baseline Home) is compared against the energy use of homes complying with the prescriptive requirements of Section R402 of the 2015 IECC and against homes complying with the Section R406 Energy Rating Index (ERI) Compliance Alternative. The improvement cost and energy savings of the improved homes relative to the Baseline Home are then used to determine the cost effectiveness …

Comparative Performance Of Two Ventilation Strategies In A Hot-Humid Climate, Florida Solar Energy Center, Sarah Widder

FSEC Energy Research Center®

ASHRAE Standard 62.2, 'Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Buildings,' is the most commonly referenced residential ventilation standard in the United States. It is currently required by ENERGY STAR Version 3 (V3), the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, the U.S. Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Home Program, many state weatherization programs, and many other home performance programs. The standard calls for ventilation levels that are perceived by some builders and contractors to cause indoor moisture issues in hot-humid climates unless mitigated by supplemental dehumidification systems, which increase overall energy consumption. Therefore, many high-performance home builders in a hot-humid …

Florida Rural Small Business Energy Assistance Collaborative Cumulative Report Ending December 31, 2016, Florida Solar Energy Center, Janet Mcilvaine

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development initiative reaches out to communities across America with many programs (http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs). USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants and loan guarantees for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems to agriculture operations and qualifying rural small businesses. USDA has awarded the University of Central Florida a grant to provide a limited number of subsidized Energy Audits to eligible businesses in Florida in support of USDA Rural Development (USDA-RD) Grant and Loan programs for rural small businesses. The ultimate goal of the energy audits is to increase participation in REAP. Audits …

Phased Retrofits In Existing Homes In Florida Phase Ii: Shallow Plus Retrofits [Revised], Florida Solar Energy Center, Karen Sutherland

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy Building America team Partnership for Improved Residential Construction is collaborating with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to conduct a phased residential energy-efficiency retrofit program. This research seeks to determine the impacts on annual energy reductions from the installation of advanced residential technologies. Earlier project work involving the application of two levels of retrofit, shallow and deep, found average savings of 9% and 38%, respectively. Whole-house demand reduction among the deep retrofit homes averaged 39% during FPL's peak summer hour. These savings levels approach the Building America program goals of reducing whole-house energy use of …

Energy-Efficient Management Of Mechanical Ventilation And Relative Humidity In Hot-Humid Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America research team Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction conducted this research project to gain data and insight into these issues. The project focused on energy-efficient management of mechanical ventilation and RH during the cooling season. It consisted of eight test configurations. A particular focus evaluated how well a ductless seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) 21.5 mini-split heat pump (MSHP) could perform as the primary cooling system without a dehumidifier for supplemental dehumidification in a continuously mechanically ventilated house.