Investigation Of Air Distribution System Leakage And Its Impacts In Central Florida Homes

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 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50). When the duct registers were sealed, ACH50 decreased to 11.1, indication that 12.7% of the house leaks were in the air distribution system. Duct leaks were repaired in 50 of the 160 homes. Blower door tests were done on these houses before and after repair. Before repair airtightness was 12.5 ACH50. After repair house ACH50 decreased to 11.2, indicating that 63.7% of the duct leaks were repaired. Infiltration tests were done before and after repair on 25 of these homes. Infiltration rates with the AH on decreased from 16.0% to 4.5% of total air handler flow. Cooling energy use decreased as a result of duct repairs. Data was available for 46 of the 50 homes. Air conditioner energy use decreased by an average 17.2%, yielding estimated space conditioning energy savings of $110 per year. Duct repairs are a very cost-effective retrofit. At an average cost of$200 per home, duct repairs have a simple payback of less than two years. Duct leaks have a dramatic impact upon peak electrical demand. While no peak demand data has yet been measured, theoretical analysis indicates that a 15% return leak from the attic can increase cooling electrical demand by about 90%. Detailed theoretical analysis of a winter Florida morning indicates that duct repairs in a typical, electrically heated Florida home reduce winter peak demand by about 1.6 kW per house at about one-sixth the cost of building new electrical generation capacity. Repair of ducts in 3 million Florida homes could reduce winter peak demand by 5000 megawatts, of 13% of the state\u27s generating capacity. This effort would be very cost effective, since the generation capacity made available by duct repair would cost only abut one-third to one-eighth what new capacity would cost, depending upon type of generation facility

University of Central Florida 1985 self study Southern Association of Colleges and Schools : Florida Solar Energy Center self study report

University of Central Florida Research Institutes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Self Study for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1985

ARRA Advanced Weatherization Training Center - Quarterly Report (September 2010-December 2010)

The 4th quarter of 2010 was the initialization of the contract with DOE. During this time period, there were two major events that occurred. First, representatives from UCF-FSEC attended the three day Atlanta Weatherization Training Center Grantee Training Workshop with DOE representatives and the various organizations that were awarded funding. Secondly, the project management plan (PMP) was finalized and submitted to the Project Manager

Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Ductless Heat Pumps In Existing Homes By Demonstrating Integrated Controls: Measurement And Verification Plan

There is a trend for homeowners to install efficient ductless air-source heat pumps (ASHP) as a supplement to less efficient existing space conditioning systems, with most homeowners adding one unit in a central living area. Because of the potential for ASHPs to save energy by providing a large portion of the space conditioning, utilities have incentivized this strategy. However, post installation evaluations suggest ASHPs are not reaching their full potential because the existing heating system continues to operate more than necessary. This report describes a measurement and verifications strategy for a research project that aims to maximize savings from supplemental ASHPs by demonstrating how integrated controls can manage the interaction of multiple space conditioning systems to improve performance. Submitted to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. FSEC is a subcontractor to Levy Partnership

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact Of Infiltration And Ventilation On Measured Cooling Season Energy And Moisture Levels (2016)

Originally published in January 2014, this revision of the report clarifies and corrects references to Standard 62.2 as the 2013 version (62.2-2013), and it corrects the total CFM requirement for the subject buildings under the standard. Further, two plots have been updated to distinguish between the mechanical CFM and the total CFM required for the subject buildings under Standard 62.2-2013

Comparison Of The Modes And Mechanisms Of Degradation Of Experimental C-Si PV Modules With Various Encapsulants, October 2016

Seven modules with different encapsulants, provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), were installed at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) outdoor test facility for long-term durability testing in the hot and humid climate of Florida. Along with the modules, NREL also provided corresponding load resistors, junction boxes, and module connections. The modules were installed at latitude tilt, on a south facing rack on March 20, 2014.During project different types of tests such as visual inspection in environmental conditions and infrared imaging and I-V characterization were carried out on the seven modul

Florida Weatherization Training - Quarterly Report (July 2010 - September 2010)

The weatherization training for the State of Florida Dept of Community Affairs continues at the Florida Solar Energy Center\u27s Training Facility. Progress for the fifth three months of the contract included minor course refinement of presentation materials and handouts as the result of the June 2010 updates to the P & G . Four 1-day IR classes were completed (45 students)

Evaluation Of Alternatives For Florida\u27s 2010 Energy Code Update For Residential Buildings

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\u27s 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 for the FEC and that the 2010 FEC achieve a 20% increase in new home energy efficiency relative to the 2007 FEC. Finally, the report presents results of analysis of three potential prescriptive compliance options for meeting the 20% efficiency improvement requirement of H.B. 7135

Creating Performance Curves For Variable Refrigerant Flow Heat Pumps In EnergyPlus

This document describes methods to generate performance curve coefficients for variable refrigerant flow heat pumps in DOE\u27s EnergyPlus building energy simulation program. Manufactures performance data for capacity and power are used to create full-load and part-load performance curves for cooling and heating operating modes. When performance variations for full-load capacity or power cannot be modeled using a single performance curve, the data set is divided into lower and upper temperature regions and dual performance curves are used. Table objects may also be created to substitute when performance curves do not provide the required accuracy. These performance curves or tables are then used as input data for the variable refrigerant flow heat pump model. The techniques described in this paper can be used to create performance curves for any EnergyPlus equipment model

Technical And Business Solutions For Zero Net-Energy Ready And Zero Net-Energy Homes In The Hot Humid Climate

The Department of Energy\u27s Challenge Home program provides a standardized platform for application and marketing of Building America innovations in new residential construction and is intended to facilitate delivery of zero net-energy ready and zero net-energy homes that also meet goals for durability, quality, affordability, and comfort. The Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction, one of the Building America research team leads, has partnered with several builders in the hot-humid climate, as they work through the process of adopting Challenge Home. This paper serves to identify viable technical pathways to meeting the Challenge Home criteria in this region and illustrate market response to high performance housing. A further objective of the research in general is to identify gaps and barriers in the marketplace related to product availability, labor force capability, code issues, cost effectiveness, and recognizing value in the transaction process -- all necessary to ensure adoption on a production scale