Buildings in a Test Tube: Validation of the Short-Term Energy Monitoring (STEM) Method (Preprint)

This paper is extracted from a full-length technical report that presents a detailed analysis of the differences in thermal performance between the SIP and frame units and describes the validation of the STEM method

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

A residential building in Tucson, Arizona, was studied to evaluate opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate. The reduction of solar heat gain was strongly influenced by spectrally selective windows, architectural shading, and site shading from adjacent buildings. The study emphasized accurately modeling these features to account for effects on the energy load. Building performance was modeled using a detailed hourly energy simulation tool and was measured while unoccupied for a period of 12 days. Model inputs included direct measurements of the net air exchange rate, surface reflectance, and window transmittance. Model results showed good agreement with the direct measurements of cooling loads and air-conditioning energy use. A parametric study of annual energy use is presented showing the impacts of glazing type, architectural shading, site shading, and building orientation. It is important to understand these interactions to optimize energy savings in community-scale housing developments

Building America Residential System Research Results: Achieving 30% Whole House Energy Savings Level in Marine Climates; January 2006 - December 2006

The Building America program conducts the system research required to reduce risks associated with the design and construction of homes that use an average of 30% to 90% less total energy for all residential energy uses than the Building America Research Benchmark, including research on homes that will use zero net energy on annual basis. To measure the program's progress, annual research milestones have been established for five major climate regions in the United States. The system research activities required to reach each milestone take from 3 to 5 years to complete and include research in individual test houses, studies in pre-production prototypes, and research studies with lead builders that provide early examples that the specified energy savings level can be successfully achieved on a production basis. This report summarizes research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Marine Climate Region on a cost neutral basis

Building America Residential System Research Results: Achieving 30% Whole House Energy Savings Level in Mixed-Humid Climates; January 2006 - December 2006

The Building America program conducts the system research required to reduce risks associated with the design and construction of homes that use an average of 30% to 90% less total energy for all residential energy uses than the Building America Research Benchmark, including research on homes that will use zero net energy on annual basis. To measure the program's progress, annual research milestones have been established for five major climate regions in the United States. The system research activities required to reach each milestone take from 3 to 5 years to complete and include research in individual test houses, studies in pre-production prototypes, and research studies with lead builders that provide early examples that the specified energy savings level can be successfully achieved on a production basis. This report summarizes research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Mixed-Humid Climate Region on a cost-neutral basis