A Comparison of WinAM and EnergyPlus Predicted Consumption Due to the Effects of Thermal Mass and Temperature Setback

The purpose of this research was to compare the energy consumption of WinAM and EnergyPlus when thermal mass and a temperature setback are applied. Since WinAM does not account for thermal mass, a correction method was developed to correct the predicted savings produced by a temperature setback. This correction method accounts for thermal mass, wall resistance, building size, and wall area, and works best for climates with a wide range of temperatures. Hourly cooling coil and heating coil energy were plotted versus outside temperature for WinAM and EnergyPlus with varying wall constructions, climates, and temperature schedules, totaling 18 EnergyPlus simulations and 6 WinAM simulations. Consumption from these results were summed to calculate the monthly cooling and coil energy. For each simulation, the difference between energy consumption for a temperature setback and no setback were calculated for each month; this value is the predicted savings produced each monthly by implementing a temperature setback. The difference in predicted savings between WinAM and EnergyPlus was then plotted versus outdoor air temperature. This was used to create the correction method that adjusts WinAM predicted savings to better match EnergyPlus predicted savings. Results indicate WinAM under predicting hourly cooling and heating coil energy. Results also show WinAM over-estimating the predicted savings due to temperature setback by 200 1000 Btu/ft² depending on the temperature. By implementing the WinAM correction method, the WinAM over-estimation is reduced to 30-150 Btu/ft². The calculated percent reduction in the difference between EnergyPlus and WinAM predicted savings is up to 99%. The large reduction in the difference between WinAM and EnergyPlus predicted savings indicates the correction method works well for the simulations produced. Implementing the correction method leads to a WinAM model that more accurately predicts temperatures setback savings when thermal mass is applied

Early tornado detection

The purpose of this project is to develop a controllable infrasonic source that can be used as a research tool for the early detection of tornadoes. The torch, using a propane source, will pulse at varying time intervals to create a desired frequency between 0.5 to 5 Hz. A microcontroller will be used to set the desired frequency and send an electrical current to the solenoid valve in order to control the opening and closing of that valve

Degradation of Insulating Glass Units: Thermal Performance, Measurements and Energy Impacts

Insulating glass unit (IGU) degradation has been studied extensively. However, there is limited understanding of how present durability evaluation standards relate to product lifetime. Furthermore, there is debate on how to quantify performance of installed windows over time to better understand degradation processes. More knowledge on these topics is required to link durability evaluation to product lifetime projections based on energy performance. Energy models provide helpful estimations of total annual building energy consumption. However, most models are based on “as installed” performance of envelope components and fail to account for performance degradation. This can lead to an underestimation of building lifetime energy consumption. A better understanding of the relationship between durability and energy performance can inform integration of degradation dynamics into energy modeling software. This will improve lifetime building energy consumption estimations as well as inform appropriate retrofit strategies and timing. This paper reviews current durability literature, various standards for window performance ratings and weathering methods, existing in situ IGU energy performance measurement techniques, and whole-building energy effects. The challenges and disparities among various studies are analyzed and discussed. The authors hope that further work in this area will lead to the development of improved in situ test methods to assess IGU degradation in the field and link this knowledge to improved energy performance modeling approaches

A Comparison of WinAM and EnergyPlus Predicted Consumption Due to the Effects of Thermal Mass and Temperature Setback

The purpose of this research was to compare the energy consumption of WinAM and EnergyPlus when thermal mass and a temperature setback are applied. Since WinAM does not account for thermal mass, a correction method was developed to correct the predicted savings produced by a temperature setback. This correction method accounts for thermal mass, wall resistance, building size, and wall area, and works best for climates with a wide range of temperatures. Hourly cooling coil and heating coil energy were plotted versus outside temperature for WinAM and EnergyPlus with varying wall constructions, climates, and temperature schedules, totaling 18 EnergyPlus simulations and 6 WinAM simulations. Consumption from these results were summed to calculate the monthly cooling and coil energy. For each simulation, the difference between energy consumption for a temperature setback and no setback were calculated for each month; this value is the predicted savings produced each monthly by implementing a temperature setback. The difference in predicted savings between WinAM and EnergyPlus was then plotted versus outdoor air temperature. This was used to create the correction method that adjusts WinAM predicted savings to better match EnergyPlus predicted savings. Results indicate WinAM under predicting hourly cooling and heating coil energy. Results also show WinAM over-estimating the predicted savings due to temperature setback by 200 1000 Btu/ft² depending on the temperature. By implementing the WinAM correction method, the WinAM over-estimation is reduced to 30-150 Btu/ft². The calculated percent reduction in the difference between EnergyPlus and WinAM predicted savings is up to 99%. The large reduction in the difference between WinAM and EnergyPlus predicted savings indicates the correction method works well for the simulations produced. Implementing the correction method leads to a WinAM model that more accurately predicts temperatures setback savings when thermal mass is applied

Degradation of Insulating Glass Units: Thermal Performance, Measurements and Energy Impacts

Insulating glass unit (IGU) degradation has been studied extensively. However, there is limited understanding of how present durability evaluation standards relate to product lifetime. Furthermore, there is debate on how to quantify performance of installed windows over time to better understand degradation processes. More knowledge on these topics is required to link durability evaluation to product lifetime projections based on energy performance. Energy models provide helpful estimations of total annual building energy consumption. However, most models are based on “as installed” performance of envelope components and fail to account for performance degradation. This can lead to an underestimation of building lifetime energy consumption. A better understanding of the relationship between durability and energy performance can inform integration of degradation dynamics into energy modeling software. This will improve lifetime building energy consumption estimations as well as inform appropriate retrofit strategies and timing. This paper reviews current durability literature, various standards for window performance ratings and weathering methods, existing in situ IGU energy performance measurement techniques, and whole-building energy effects. The challenges and disparities among various studies are analyzed and discussed. The authors hope that further work in this area will lead to the development of improved in situ test methods to assess IGU degradation in the field and link this knowledge to improved energy performance modeling approaches