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 reductions are being evaluated in prototype
homes. Solar and Conventional Domestic Hot Water
(DHW) Testing – A test facility is being constructed
to conduct side by side testing of three active and
passive solar, two gas and two electric DHW
systems.
Technical assistance was provided on the design,
construction and evaluation of four near zero energy
homes and over 300 highly energy efficient
production homes in subdivisions during 2007 and
2008