Engineering Commons^™

Technical Support For Development Of An Attic Simulation Model For The California Energy Commission, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is developing a new attic simulation model for assessing residential energy performance within its Title 24 residential compliance methodology. Within this project, we are providing technical support to assist Bruce Wilcox and CEC in development of the model based on Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) experience with similar models. We assisted the effort by using data from FSEC instrumented facilities to help verify the eventual simulation. We also outlined critical issues for modeling with the development of the simulation. Given the importance of attic ventilation, we are also conducting new studies of varied ventilation rates …

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2004 Summer Test Results, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Flexible Roof Facility (FRF) is a test facility in Cocoa, Florida designed to evaluate five roofing systems at a time against a control roof with black shingles and vented attic (Figure E-1). Since 1989 the testing has evaluated how roofing systems impact summer residential cooling energy use and peak demand. In the summer of 2004, the following roofing systems were tested. Materials tested were: Galvalume® unfinished (unpainted) 5-vee metal with vented attic (3rd year of exposure), galvanized unfinished 5-vee metal with vented attic (3rd year of exposure, black shingles with standard attic ventilation (Control Test Cell), white standing seam …

Literature Review Of The Impact And Need For Attic Ventilation In Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking to examine the impact and necessity of residential attic ventilation in Florida homes. Here, we provide technical support by examining existing data sources on the impacts of attic ventilation both on cooling and heating energy use as well as to attic and home moisture levels. In particular we evaluate the issues with sealed attic construction where the attic is unvented and expanded foam insulation is applied directly to the underside of the roof decking.

We also report the data from Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) instrumented facilities to add unique information …

Theoretical Evaluation Of The Nightcool Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An evaluation has been conducted of the potential of a night sky cooling system to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates. The report describes the innovative residential cooling system which uses nocturnal night sky radiation from a roof integrated radiator. The system uses a sealed attic covered by a highly conductive metal roof 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. Additional dehumidification is done during the evening hours as warranted by …