Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Bias Issues Within Regression-Based Inverse Modeling Methods Against Climate And Building Characteristics Using Synthetic Data, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jamie Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Typically, a model of the energy use of a building is created using the building's characteristics and climate information for its location. However, models of existing homes can be created using monitored energy and climactic data in a process called inverse modeling. Such a technique has potential for those seeking to evaluate the savings a home before and after a retrofit (Meier, Busch, & Conner, 1988).Several programs use an inverse modeling technique to model a home's energy use based on total home energy use, heating and cooling energy use, and indoor/outdoor temperature data from a home (Kissock, Haberl, & Claridge, …

Stochastic Optimal Control In Nonlinear Systems, Celestin Nkundineza

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Stochastic control is an important area of research in engineering systems that undergo disturbances. Controlling individual states in such systems is critical. The present investigation is concerned with the application of the stochastic optimal control strategy developed by To (2010) and its implementation as well as providing computed results of linear and nonlinear systems under stationary and nonstationary random excitations. In the strategy the feedback matrix is designed based on the achievement of the objectives for individual states in the system through the application of the Lyapunov equation for the system. Each diagonal element in the gain or associated gain …

Side-By-Side Testing Of Water Heating Systems Results From 2009-2010 Testing, Florida Solar Energy Center, Carlos Colon

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Hot Water System (HWS) Laboratory test facility at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, FL was used for testing seven differing types of residential water heating systems. The HWS building provides unconditioned housing (similar to a garage in Florida) for one reference electric 50-gallon heater, three solar thermal electric assisted systems, one electric tankless system, one reference 40-gallon natural gas (NG) and tankless gas system. The performance of all seven systems has been compared in a side-by-side test configuration over a full year period. Simultaneous hot water draws take place for all hot water heating systems on …

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.

Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (Baihp Ii), Annual Report - Budget Period 4 (Bp4), January 01, 2009 - December 31, 2009, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robert Abernethy

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This annual report summarizes the work conducted by the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP - www.baihp.org) during the fourth budget period (BP4) of our contract, January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. Progress from the three previous budget periods is included for context.

BAIHP is led by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) of the University of Central Florida. With over 50 Industry Partners including factory and site builders, work was performed in four task areas:

• Task 1: System Evaluations
• Task 2: Prototype House Evaluations
• Task 3: Community Scale Evaluations
• Task 4: Post- Phase 3 Activities.

In Task 1, …

Updated Miscellaneous Electricity Loads And Appliance Energy Usage Profiles For Use In Home Energy Ratings, The Building America Benchmark And Related Calculations [Revised], Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report addresses the ever increasing percentage of whole house energy use that is attributable to miscellaneous electricity loads (MELs) and major appliances. It builds on earlier U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports on the same subject and incorporates the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) public use data set to determine how major appliance use is related to the number of bedrooms in existing homes. These data, coupled with existing and proposed DOE appliance testing and labeling standards, are then used to determine a set of baseline lighting and appliance energy end use values for use in the HERS …

Investigating Solutions To Wind Washing Issues In 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1, Florida Solar Energy Center, Charles Withers, Jr.

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Wind washing has been identified as a potentially significant issue regarding energy, demand, comfort, and humidity in some two-story Florida homes. In its most common configuration, wind washing occurs when attic spaces over first-floor portions of the home abut the second story, and the floor cavity of the second story is open to that attic space. Wind blowing into attic vents can push hot attic air into the inter-story floor cavity, bypassing the typical thermal boundaries of the building and introducing considerable heat into the house. Wind washing can also occur when there is little or no attic involved, where …

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 …

Final Report: Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition Programmatic Support, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This Final Report summarizes the work performed by the Florida Solar Energy Center for U.S. Department of Energy for the National Clean Cities Program to reduce emissions and energy consumption of transportation vehicles. This report describes the activities and events of Florida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition encompassing a nine county area in east central Florida. FSEC administers the Coalition and support the Coalition Board of Directors with meetings, workshop, reports, mailing list, membership, activities, questionnaires, fuel pricing, alternative vehicle and infrastructure deployment.

Developing G-Rim And Participants Tests For Specific Commercial Programs For The Florida Natural Gas Association, Florida Solar Energy Center, Richard Raustad

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Solar Energy Center performed an economic assessment for 7 common commercial appliances. This assessment calculates the gas rate impact measure and participants test score for selecting natural gas equipment over comparable electric equipment over a 20-year period. This type of analysis provides an indication whether or not the specific appliance program favors the end use customer and/or the utility company as economic beneficiaries. Given the project assumptions, all natural gas equipment types, with the exception of the pool heat pump water heater, show measures greater than 1 indicating that the natural gas appliance will have lower life-cycle costs …

Evaluation Of Alternatives For Florida's 2010 Energy Code Update For Residential Buildings, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report provides results of analysis of the Florida Energy Code (FEC) with respect to requirements of Florida House Bill 7135. The analysis uses Florida's performance-based code compliance software, EnergyGauge® USA, to conduct detailed analysis of H.B 7135 requirements to significantly increase the efficiency of new homes over time. First, results of an analysis of the long-term, year 2019 requirement for a 50% increase in new home energy efficiency are presented. Next, the 2009 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is analyzed with respect to the H.B. 7135 dual requirements that the 2009 IECC become the foundation code …

Comparison Of The Energygauge Usa And Beopt Building Energy Simulation Programs, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Two hourly energy simulation software, BEopt and Energy Gauge USA, were compared to ensure accuracy and evaluate agreement on the impact of various energy efficiency improvements. Within the Building America program, these software aid design teams working toward the U.S. Department of Energy's goal to make Zero Energy Homes economically viable by 2025. Builders use the software to achieve the extensive energy savings (70%-80%) from various measures before adding solar electric power generation. The study found that in general, BEopt and EnergyGauge USA agree fairly well on the impact of energy efficiency improvements, while identifying several discrepancies that need further …

Geographic Variation In Potential Of Residential Solar Hot Water System Performance In The United States, Florida Solar Energy Center, Camilo Gil

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This paper describes an assessment of residential solar water heater performance around the continental United States. We performed annual simulations using an hourly simulation model (EGUSA) for 212 TMY3 weather locations around the nation. The annual simulations show how standard hot water energy use for electric and gas systems vary geographically (kWh and therms) as well as the potential energy savings from solar water heaters. A key finding is that the energy necessary for water heating varies by 2:1 around the U.S. with implications for solar water heating system design and sizing. Our results provide information on expected water heater …

Preliminary Report On Integration Of Florida's Code Energy Efficiencies Using The 2009 Iecc As The Foundation Code, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Florida Building Commission is in the initial phase of it triennial revision of the Florida Building Code. The Florida Building Code has included specific energy provisions since its inception in 2001. Those provisions are the Florida Energy Code (FEC), which was initiated in 1979. In 2008, the Florida legislature enacted HB 7135, requiring the 2010 FEC to provide 20% energy savings compared with the 2007 FEC. HB 7135 also requires that the energy provisions of the Florida Building Code use the 2009 IECC as the foundation and that the IECC shall be modified to maintain the efficiencies of the …

Analysis Of The Energy Star Reference Home Concept As Proposed For Epa's 2011 National Program Requirements, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Using EnergyGauge® USA v.2.8.02, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has conducted an analysis of EPA’s proposed ENERGY STAR Reference Design Home specification. A single-story, 2344 ft², slab-on-grade, 3-bedroom, frame home is evaluated in each of the seven contiguous U.S. climate zones. The ENERGY STAR Reference Design Home was evaluated using three metrics: 1) EPS’s threshold qualifying HERS Index (including the Size Adjustment Factor – 0.984 for this home), 2) the 2006 IECC Standard Reference Design and 3) the 2009 IECC Standard Reference Design. Evaluations using the IECC Standard Reference Design were computed using source energy, where the source energy …

Top 10 Checklist - Energy-Efficient Buildings For The Southern United States, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The following Top Ten Checklist provides recommendations for creating energy efficient commercial buildings in areas with hot and humid summers. Commercial and institutional buildings vary greatly, from one to another, in size, use, and type of construction. For purposes of this Top Ten Checklist we are assuming a medium-sized (20,000 to 50,000 ft²) office building located in areas with hot and humid summers. The issues that are raised here may equally apply to schools, churches, theaters, and some retail buildings.

Effectiveness Of Florida's Residential Energy Code: 1979-2009 (Revision Of 1979-2007 Report), 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 …

Interim Report On Iso Tc163 Working Group 3, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report covers the initial year efforts of the International Standards Organization (ISO) to develop international standards for rating the energy performance of buildings. The author of this report is a participant in this effort. This report summarizes the activities of the ISO Working Group charged with development of these standards and makes recommendations to the sponsors for future U.S. involvement in this ISO effort.

Energy Efficiency Cost-Effectiveness Tests For Residential Energy Code Update Processes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip W. Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The 2008 Florida Energy Act directed the Florida Building Commission (FBC) to develop an administrative rule for determining the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency updates to the Florida Building Code. This report addresses the economics of building energy efficiency, standard economic cost-effectiveness indicators that could be used for code update purposes and makes specific recommendations on economic assessment standards to be included in the cost-effectiveness test administrative rule.

Gulf Coast High Performance Affordable Housing Demonstration Project, Florida Solar Energy Center, Janet Mcilvaine

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In 2007 and 2008, the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership worked with five partners in region of the Gulf Coast recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The High Performance Affordable Housing Demonstration Home was conceived to give builders in the region a cost-effective model of high performance to emulate. This report summarizes the status of work with the five partners, including the proposed energy efficiency package to reach the goal of 30% whole house energy source savings calculated under the 2008 Building America Benchmarking Procedure, standard construction practices, and implementation challenges. Four Demonstration houses were completed in 2008. Three met the 30% …

Preliminary Performance Evaluation Of A Near Zero Energy Home In Gainesville, Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America (BA) program is working to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing homes while increasing comfort, and durability and reducing resource use. As part of this program we pursue opportunities to research highly efficient homes with the goal of understanding what works, what doesn't work, and the most economic ways to reach very high efficiency targets. The program aims to create cost neutral zero energy homes by 2020. In pursuit of this goal, this home and other research homes around the country designed to approach or achieve the zero energy goal are …

Preliminary Performance Evaluation Of A Near Zero Energy Home In Callaway, Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America (BA) program is working to increase the energy efficiency of new and existing homes while increasing comfort, and durability and reducing resource use. As part of this program we pursue opportunities to research highly efficient homes with the goal of understanding what works, what doesn't work, and the most economic ways to reach very high efficiency targets. The program aims to create cost neutral zero energy homes by 2020. In pursuit of this goal, this home and other research homes around the country designed to approach or achieve the zero energy goal are …

Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership, Annual Report - Budget Period 3, 02/01/08-12/31/0, Florida Solar Energy Center, Subrato Chandra

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This annual report summarizes the work conducted by the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (www.baihp.org) for the period 2/1/08 to 12/31/08. BAIHP is led by the Florida Solar Energy Center of the University of Central Florida. In partnership with over 50 factory and site builders, work was performed in two main areas: research and technical assistance.

In the research area we continued laboratory and field testing of interior duct systems to document their expected energy savings of about 20% in heating and cooling. Worked with Building Science Corp. to test an innovative air-conditioner with an extra dehumidification coil in the …

Energy Conservation In The Trinidad Tourist Industry Training Program, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This Final Report summarizes the work performed by the Florida Solar Energy Center/University of Central Florida on the contract entitled "Energy Conservation in the Trinidad Tourist Industry Training Program". This program was performed for the Ministry of Tourism, Trinidad and Tobago, WI. (MoTTT) for the period September 1 to November 1, 2008. The MoTTT established a program for the tourist industry to facilitate learning about energy conservation and renewable energy technologies appropriate for resort applications on the Island of Trinidad. The Florida Solar Energy Center provided assistance through consulting, in education about energy technologies. FSEC modified existing energy training courses …

Green And High Performance Factory Crafted Housing, Florida Solar Energy Center, Stephanie Thomas-Rees

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In the U.S., factory-built housing greater than 400 square feet is built either to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code for mobile homes or site-built codes for modular housing. During the last few years, as the production of HUD code housing has dwindled, many leading edge factory builders have started building modular homes to compete with site-built housing and stay in business. As part of the Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP) we have assisted in the design and construction of several 'green' and high performance modular homes that Palm Harbor Homes, Florida Division (PHH) has …

Energy Impacts Of Various Residential Mechanical Ventilation Strategies, Florida Solar Energy Center, Robin Vieira

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Building America program has been working with home builders for more than a decade using a variety of strategies for bringing fresh air into the homes. Many of these strategies utilize the central air handler fan from the HVAC system to ventilate when the system runs. Controllers can be purchased to force the air to enter for minimum periods of time or to shut off outside air dampers after some period of runtime. EnergyGauge USA, a detailed hourly residential simulation program, has been modified to simulate the various runtime strategies, as well as supply- or exhaust-only ventilation strategies and …

An Overview Of Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (Baihp) Activities In Hot-Humid Climates, Florida Solar Energy Center, Subrato Chandra

FSEC Energy Research Center®

BAIHP (www.baihp.org ) conducts systems research and technical assistance activities for new housing. Hot-humid climate efforts described here include:

Systems research: NightCool – A hybrid cooling and dehumidification strategy employing radiative cooling and desiccant materials. Interior Duct Systems in Manufactured Houses – Tests are ongoing in an occupied prototype home in Alabama and the FSEC manufactured housing lab. Ventilation and Dehumidification – A new strategy has been developed to hook up a whole-house dehumidifier so that it only runs when the air conditioning compressor is off. Plug Load Reduction – Whole house feedback devices and security system based plug load …

Research Results From A Few Alternate Methods Of Interior Duct Systems In Factory Built Housing Located In The Hot Humid Climate, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neil Moyer

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP) has collaborated with two of its industry partners to work on a portion of the project that relates to the construction and evaluation of prototype interior duct systems. In 2006, work began on a duct system design that would locate the entire length of duct work within the air and thermal barriers of the envelope. One of these designs incorporated a high-side supply register that connects to the conventional floor duct. The other design utilized a single soffit located within the conditioned space at the marriage line. The …

Assessment Of The Effectiveness And Energy Efficiency Of Humidity Control Approaches In Vacant Florida Homes, Florida Solar Energy Center, James Cummings

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In a hot and humid climate such as Florida, 'snowbirds' that leave their homes for extended summer periods need guidance on effective and energy efficient methods of humidity control. Experiments were performed in seven residences to evaluate various approaches to humidity control, including providing no mechanical system control. A humidity target was identified to maintain indoor relative humidity (RH) at 65% or lower most of the time. Providing no mechanical conditioning (letting the building 'float') yields relative humidity at 65% or below during hot and sunny weather in some homes, but not during cloudy weather. Setting the AC system thermostat …

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 …