Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Habitat For Humanity Case Studies, Florida Solar Energy Center, Janet Mcilvaine

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document is a compilation of four separate case studies of Habitat for Humanity affiliates who have adopted Building America principles of high performance as standard construction. This work was compiled by the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (www.baihp.org ) for the U.S. Department of Energy to serve as a model for other affordable housing providers. BAIHP is led by the Florida Solar Energy Center of the University of Central Florida.

Pv Training Laboratory Design Manual, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document serves as a written summary of some of the elements required for the design, specification, construction and operation of a successful laboratory for the training of photovoltaics systems. This document only discusses the equipment requirements for such a lab. A successful training lab for education and certification also requires qualified and trained personnel; in-service training to maintain competency; procedures and protocols for curriculum, evaluation, and reporting; careful adherence to the relevant Standards; protocols for quality assurance and calibration; detailed documentation of all procedures and protocols. Accreditation of the lab by an independent evaluating agency is also useful in …

Cost-Effective Energy-Efficiency And Florida's Residential Energy Code, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The 2007 Florida Legislature authorized the Florida Building Commission (FBC) and Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to evaluate cost effectiveness of energy conservation measures including appliance efficiencies that could be implemented through the Florida Energy Code for certain buildings. Additionally, Governor Crist's Executive Order #07-127 requires the Secretary of DCA to "convene the Florida Building Commission for the purposes of revising the Florida Energy Code for Building Construction to increase the energy performance of new construction in Florida by at least 15% from the 2007 Energy Code. The Commission should consider incorporating standards for appliances and standard lighting in the …

Experimental Evaluation Of The Nightcool Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept: Annual Performance Assessment In Scale Test Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An experimental evaluation has been conducted on a 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. Additional dehumidification is done during the evening hours as warranted by interior conditions.

An initial report describes a detailed simulation model of the relevant night cooling phenomenon, examining …

Pilot Evaluation Of Energy Savings From Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Providing instantaneous feedback on household electrical demand has shown the promise to reduce energy consumption by 5-15%. This paper briefly reviews past research and describes a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida. Although not a statistical sample (the participants were self-selected), the study showed an average 7% reduction in energy use from feedback homes in the second year of monitoring after controlling for weather-related influences. A large identified advantage of the technology is that it provides better guidance on profitable areas to reduce household electrical demand--many …

Deploying Mobile Pv Emergency Power System In A Disaster, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Disasters can be as destructive as Hurricane Katrina, leaving several hundred-thousand people homeless, or as minor as an afternoon thunderstorm that brings down local power lines to your home. After a disaster, utility services may be damaged or destroyed, leaving people without water, sanitation, communication and electricity. In response to a disaster, first responders are deployed with life supporting resources, such as water, food, and medical supplies. Energy resources are often lacking, making recovery efforts difficult in our high-tech world of cell phones, television, computers, refrigerators and many other electronic devices.

After a disaster, the long time tradition used to …

Using Show Homes (And Sponsorships) To Persuade Commissioning Relevancy And Factory Crafted High Performance Modular Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Stephanie Thomas-Rees

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The International Builders' Show (IBS) sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders is a venue attracting over 100,000 builders and building related professionals every year. The increased attendances each year improves the educational sessions, vendor participation and "live" home construction demonstrations. The "live" home demonstrations are a great opportunity to integrate high performance construction and commissioning strategies into the marketplace to validate and distinguish products and the show home builders. At this past year's IBS show in February, Palm Harbor Homes built the GenX home that included an installed and operational 4.08kWp photovoltaic system with inverter and back up …

Improved Duct Systems Task Report With Stagegate 2 Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neil Moyer

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership's work with two industry partners, Cavalier Homes and Southern Energy Homes, in constructing and evaluating prototype interior duct systems will be summarized. Issues of energy performance, comfort, DAPIA approval, manufacturability and cost will be addressed. A stage gate 2 analysis will address the current status of project showing that there are still refinements needed to the process of incorporating all of the ducts within the air and thermal boundaries of the envelope.

Orange County Convention Center Energy Analysis And Energy Information System, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has the 2nd largest convention facility utilization in the nation. Two primary buildings provide about seven million square feet of conditioned space to approximately 1.5 million visitors per year. In efforts to reduce energy conservation, OCCC began implementing several energy conservation measures beginning in 2005 and continuing over the last 2 years with plans to continue additional efforts in the future. An analysis of monthly chilled water and electricity used by the West and North/South Buildings has been completed in an effort to investigate reductions in energy use resulting from conservation measures. This final …

Commissioning High Performance Residences In Hot, Humid Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ken Fonorow

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Since 2001, the authors have engaged several builders in the Gainesville, FL area to build over 500 high performance new energy efficient homes in multiple sub divisions. The builders keep building to increased levels of energy efficiency. Each home is individually designed, inspected, rated and commissioned for optimum performance. This paper summarizes the experiences to date with two production builders who have cost shared with the Building America program to deliver these outstanding results. Keys to success are commitment from the final decision maker; scopes of work for subcontractors with specific performance criteria; clear communication with the trades often accompanied …

Closing The Gap: Getting Full Performance From Residential Central Air Conditioners. Task 4.2-Develop New Climate-Sensitive Air Conditioner, Design, Construction, And Testing, Florida Solar Energy Center, Don B. Shirey Iii

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study evaluated the performance of a prototype air conditioning system. The configuration of the prototype was based on detailed simulation results performed as part of this study. The results of the previously completed simulation indicated that energy-efficient, properly-ventilated homes in humid climates need equipment options or configurations that can provide a modest amount of additional dehumidification capacity while coordinating their operation with conventional cooling and ventilation systems. A prototype air conditioning system was constructed using currently available components and provides a method to independently control sensible (temperature) and latent (moisture) building loads. The prototype system was tested in both …

Review Of Chilled Water And Electric Energy Use At The West And North/South Buildings Of The Orange County Convention Center, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has the 2nd largest convention facility utilization in the nation. Two primary buildings provide about seven million square feet of conditioned space to one million visitors per year. In efforts to reduce energy conservation, OCCC began implementing several energy conservation measures beginning in 2005 and continuing over the last 2 years with plans to continue additional efforts in the future. Examples of the types of energy conservation involved changing lighting and HVAC schedules and control methods, replacement of motors with higher efficiency, and turning off power to other unused equipment. An analysis of monthly …

Airflow Network Modeling In Energyplus, Florida Solar Energy Center, Lixing Gu

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The airflow network model in EnergyPlus provides the ability to simulate multizone wind-driven airflows. The model is also able to simulate the impacts of forced air distribution systems, including supply and return air leaks. The air distribution system portion of the model is currently applicable for constant-air-volume systems. Future enhancements will include adding hybrid ventilation control and possible extension to include variable-air-volume distribution systems.

This paper describes the input objects, calculation procedures, model validation, and example results. The model inputs consist of five main objects: simulation control, multizone data, node data, component data, and linkage data. The model calculates pressure …

A Simplified Hot Water Distribution System Model, Florida Solar Energy Center, Lixing Gu

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Water heating in the U.S. has been identified as a major component of total energy consumption used in buildings, mostly coming from the residential sector at around 11%. A potential opportunity for energy savings in water heating systems is to improve the design of hot water distribution systems (HWDS). Due to the complex heat losses of HWDS, models are needed to optimize HWDS by reducing heat losses. There are three models currently used to simulate thermal performance of hot water distribution systems (HWDS): HWSim, ORNL-HWDS, and TRNSYS. The first two models are used to study hot water distribution systems only …

Solar 2007: Florida's Emergency Shelters Go Solar, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Florida has its fair share of dangerous weather conditions including hurricanes, tornados and floods. Florida Legislature passed various laws and made revisions addressing disaster planning which required that the Department of Education, in consultation with school boards and county and state emergency management offices, develop design standards for public shelters to be incorporated into State Requirements for Educational Facilities.

Last year, Solar for Schools, a state program, provided funds to put photovoltaic systems on schools that are classified as shelters, adding a new dimension to the educational program. Middleton High School is an example of an application to power the …

Ucf Recommissioning Project Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A research project was carried out to examine the energy savings which occurred from recommissioning three University of Central Florida buildings. Recommissioning activities completed in two of the three buildings yielded chilled water and whole building electricity savings on the order of 15% to 30%. Recommissioning implementation is pending in the third building, where savings are projected to be in the range of 40% to 50% of total building energy use. Additionally, cooling energy savings were monitored (and calculated) for a green roof installation at one of these three buildings. Calculated savings were found to be 1.05 kWh/day for a …

Effectiveness Of Florida's Residential Energy Code: 1979 - 2007, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study was commissioned by the Florida Department of Community Affairs’ Codes & Standards Section to determine the impacts of Florida’s Energy Efficiency Code over time and recommend possible changes that would increase residential efficiency. It examines each of the 14 residential energy code cycles that have occurred during the 28 year period and determines the relative change in code stringency and its impact on energy use and energy cost throughout the period. The study also examines Florida’s proposed 2007 Code1 to determine how its requirements compare with the requirements of Section 404 of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code …

Closing The Gap: Getting Full Performance From Residential Central Air Conditioners, Task 4 - Develop New Climate-Sensitive Air Conditioner, Simulation Results And Cost Benefit Analysis, Florida Solar Energy Center, Hugh Henderson, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This study evaluated the impacts of conventional and advanced cooling and dehumidification equipment on residential indoor humidity levels and annual energy consumption using whole building computer simulations. The life-cycle cost premium for the various advanced systems was also estimated. Building models were developed for a standard HERS Reference house, meant to represent current residential construction practice, and a High-Efficiency house that would likely qualify for a federal tax credit. The different houses were simulated in seven southeastern U.S. cities and with two ventilation/infiltration scenarios: 1) variable or natural infiltration alone, and 2) mechanical ventilation that complied with ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004. …

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. …

Priorities For Energy Efficiency For Home Construction In Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Below we provide the priorities for obtaining an energy efficient building in Florida.

Experimental Evaluation Of Nightcool Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept: Performance Assessment In Scale Test Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An experimental test evaluation has been conducted of a 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. Additional dehumidification is done during the evening hours as warranted by interior conditions.

A previous report describes a detailed simulation model of the relevant night cooling …

Solar Energy For Disaster Response Using Space Program Resources, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Satellite pictures, solar radiation levels on the earth's surface, Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and other space-related resources are available through the efforts of many people and organizations. Satellites' measurements of these resources can be integrated with resources on earth to assess damage from disasters and evaluate resources available to respond. Space-related resources are currently being used by the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, county Emergency Managers and other organizations. The widest use is in evaluating utility resources and deploying them for repair and emergency power in response to a disaster. Today's use of state-of-the-art satellite and Geographic …

Functional Disaster Resistant Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, tsunami and earthquakes, are becoming a greater problem as they destroy lives, homes, businesses and the natural environment. Such disasters can happen with little or no warning, leaving hundreds or even thousands of people without medical services, potable water, sanitation, communications and electrical services for up to several weeks. One proactive strategy to minimize this type of destruction and disruption to lives is the implementation of disaster-resistant buildings that are energy efficient, fortified to the latest codes, and incorporate renewable energy systems. This approach uses the best energy-efficient buildings, fortified to the latest …

Problems And Solutions: Training Disaster Organizations On The Use Of Pv, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In 1992, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) assisted the University of Miami Field Epidemiology Survey Team (FEST) with photovoltaic systems to power temporary medical clinics after Hurricane Andrew struck south Dade County. At that time, it became apparent that there were no educational materials prepared for disaster relief or emergency management personnel on the use of photovoltaic (PV) to supply electrical power in response to a disaster. This need prompted FSEC to create an education program to develop awareness and train organizations on the proper use of PV in disasters. Since then, FSEC has …

Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System Design Review And Approval, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Dunlop

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document provides details of operations and procedures for the approval of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system designs and documentation conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center. The principal goal of this process is to help ensure the safety and quality of installed PV systems, and provides an assurance to installers, consumers and financiers that approved designs meet accepted codes and industry practices, and are accompanied by a complete System Manual that meets the minimum requirements outlined in this document.

Test Method For Photovoltaic Module Ratings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Kevin Lynn

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This document describes the testing and reporting requirements for certification and labeling of photovoltaic modules (PV) for their power ratings. The test methods and procedures chosen for this purpose are based on consensus standards of relevant committees of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Executive Summary: Evaluation Of The Impact Of Vacant Home Space Conditioning Strategies On Summer Relative Humidity, Energy, And Peak Load; Phase Ii, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Vacant Home Space Conditioning Study was sponsored by Florida Power & Light (FPL) as part of its Conservation R&D Program and carried out by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). In the US, about one in four retiree "snowbirds" make Florida their destination to escape the northern cold. Snowbird residents number more than 900,000 in Florida during the winter. In some counties of FPL's territory these seasonal residents compose up to 15% of the population (Shih, 1981). This pattern of seasonal occupancy creates a need for space conditioning guidelines for vacant homes to avoid mold problems while minimizing both …

Solar Dhw Storage Tanks And Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Water is by far the most common storage medium in solar domestic hot water systems. Rock storage is another method of sensible heat storage, but is not generally used in systems that are exclusively DHW. Storage of heat in solutions of phase-changing salts is extremely rare in DHW systems and therefore is not discussed.

Field Monitoring And Computer Modeling To Determine Energy And Demand Savingsfrom The Melink Intellihood Exhaust And Make-Up Air Control System At Two Supermarkets, One Restaurant, And One Fast Food Restaurant, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Note: Only the Executive Summary of this proprietary report is available for public download.

Balanced Return Air, Duct Airtightness, And Combustion/Dilution Air Code Compliance In 40 Central Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report has been extracted from a larger report titled "Florida Building Code - Enhance Florida's Building to Next-Generation Energy & Mechanical Codes and Enrich Compliance", FSEC-CR-1678-06, November 29, 2006, which can be found at http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/pdf/FSEC-CR-1678-06.pdf