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At least 505 records · Page 28

Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump (CCHP) w/Variable Speed Technology

This report summarizes the results of a three year program awarded to Unico, Inc. to commercialize a residential cold climate heat pump. Several designs were investigated. Compressors were selected using analysis from Oakridge National Laboratories followed by prototype construction and lab testing in a specially built environmental chamber capable of reaching -30°F. The initial design utilized two variable speed compressors in series with very good capacity results and acceptable efficiency at very cold temperatures. The design was then modified to reduce cost and complexity by redesigning the system using three dual-stage compressors: two in parallel followed by one in series. Extensive testing found significant challenge with oil management, reliability, weight and cost which prevented the system from being fully commercialized. Further analysis of other conceptual designs indicated that these challenges could be overcome in the future.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Final Report: Towards an Emergent Model of Technology Adoption for Accelerating the Diffusion of Residential Solar PV

This project sought to enable electric utilities in Texas to accelerate diffusion of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) by systematically identifying and targeting existing barriers to PV adoption. A core goal of the project was to develop an integrated research framework that combines survey research, econometric modeling, financial modeling, and implementation and evaluation of pilot projects to study the PV diffusion system. This project considered PV diffusion as an emergent system, with attention to the interactions between the constituent parts of the PV socio-technical system including: economics of individual decision-making; peer and social influences; behavioral responses; and information and transaction costs. We also conducted two pilot projects, which have yielded new insights into behavioral and informational aspects of PV adoption. Finally, this project has produced robust and generalizable results that will provide deeper insights into the technology-diffusion process that will be applicable for the design of utility programs for other technologies such as home-energy management systems and plug-in electric vehicles. When we started this project in 2013 there was little systematic research on characterizing the decision-making process of households interested in adopting PV. This project was designed to fill that research gap by analyzing the PV adoption process from the consumers' decision-making perspective and with the objective to systematically identifying and addressing the barriers that consumers face in the adoption of PV. The two key components of that decision-making process are consumers' evaluation of: (i) uncertainties and non-monetary costs associated with the technology and (ii) the direct monetary cost-benefit. This project used an integrated approach to study both the non-monetary and the monetary components of the consumer decision-making process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Using Residential Solar PV Quote Data to Analyze the Relationship Between Installer Pricing and Firm Size

We use residential solar photovoltaic (PV) quote data to study the role of firm size in PV installer pricing. We find that large installers (those that installed more than 1,000 PV systems in any year from 2013 to 2015) quote higher prices for customer-owned systems, on average, than do other installers. The results suggest that low prices are not the primary value proposition of large installers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Chapter 6: Residential Lighting Evaluation Protocol. The Uniform Methods Project: Methods for Determining Energy Efficiency Savings for Specific Measures

Given new regulations, increased complexity in the market, and the general shift from CFLs to LEDs, this evaluation protocol was updated in 2017 to shift the focus of the protocols toward LEDs and away from CFLs and to resolve evaluation uncertainties affecting residential lighting incentive programs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

This paper begins by discussing the interaction of each major component in advanced sensor and control applications related to HVAC equipment. The paper also looks at the applications of these components to commissioning, maintenance and operations of the HVAC equipment in residential buildings. A summary of state-of-the-art product features is also provided. These products are categorized through their primary application type (commissioning/maintenance or operation) and the features are categorized by component type (sensors, data storage, human-in-the-loop, communication, and controls). A common theme that emerges from this study is the importance of the ability for various product categories to be connected to each other. There are many manufacturers of sensors and many manufacturers of controls, but the power to automate any commissioning, maintenance or operation application, requires connectivity.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Residential Slab Component Calculations

Modern residential building energy codes provide a component tradeoff mechanism by which builders can trade reductions in the efficiency of some building components in trade for corresponding improvement in other components. One common tradeoff approach is based on maintaining a building "UA value," which represents the building envelope's overall thermal conductance. The building UA is the sum of individual component UA values, each of which is calculated as the product of the component's U-factor and area. Current codes, however, provide little guidance on including slab-on-grade components in the overall UA calculation. This brief provides information on calculating effective slab UA values and provides recommended text for building codes.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

State and Local Policy Impacts on the Residential Solar PV Installation Industry

This study explores the effects of state and local policies on local residential solar PV installation industries. The results show that state and local policies affect the number of installers that compete in local PV markets, the relative sizes of those installers, and the market shares of high-volume national-scale installers. Understanding these effects could improve PV policy analysis and yield insights into how to achieve multiple PV policy objectives.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Wall Upgrades for Residential Deep Energy Retrofits: Expert Meeting Report

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Minnesota are conducting a 3-year, multipart study of residential retrofit wall assemblies. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office. Researchers will identify, test, and verify the hygrothermal performance of wall assemblies in retrofit applications. This study includes engagement with leading thermal enclosure experts from industry, academia, national laboratories, state, and federal program administrators, through an expert meeting held in Arlington, VA on April 19, 2019. In addition to the expert meeting held in April, this project will involve the formation of an ongoing, expert advisory committee. This report summarizes the discussions and outcomes of the expert meeting. References made to specific organizations or products do not constitute endorsements or recommendations.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Preliminary Energy Costs and Savings Estimates: 2018 IECC Residential Requirements

This report provides preliminary estimates of the incremental costs and savings associated with the residential provisions of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The analysis is provided to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help quantify the costs and savings impacts of the latest published edition of the IECC, the 2018 IECC. The incremental cost of building to the 2018 IECC, relative to the 2015 IECC, ranges from $\$398$ to $\$1,071$ depending on the climate zone, and payback periods range from 0 (immediate) to 1.8 years, depending on the climate zone.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Tribal Renewable Energy: Bishop Paiute Tribe, Residential Solar Program Phase II (Final Report)

The project consisted of the design, installation, inspection, and interconnection of 35 grid-tied, solar electric systems, totaled 123 kW rated capacity, on qualified existing low-income single-family homes located within the Bishop Paiute Reservation, which provide at least 65-79% savings in displaced electricity. Tribal job trainees were hired for each installation, gaining valuable job experience. Additionally, each homeowner was educated on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The overall project goal was to deploy clean energy systems in order to achieve the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s long-term goals of energy self-sufficiency, environmental protection, and better lives for our Tribal members and community. The energy displaced was 82.4 percent of total electricity used (exceeding estimated 65-79%)or over 170,000 kWh/year generating approximately $1.29 million worth of power for low-income families over their lifespans, while eliminating an estimated 2,640 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction makes a significant difference on the reservation giving more families money to spend on other essential items, while reducing their carbon footprint in this beautiful mountain community. Also, implementing these 35 systems provided a approximately 132 hours of paid solar installation work for tribal members. Training and good paying jobs are scarce on the reservation and solar is the fastest growing industry in CA and this training offered our members a real chance to learn and then get paid. The program is very significant to the family who qualified, as most families fall below the federal poverty guidelines, and many are living paycheck to paycheck. Overall, the triple impact of the Bishop Paiute Tribe Residential Solar Program Phase II— affordable energy for low-income families, on-site clean energy production, and hands-on solar installation jobs for local workers—these all help build the Tribe’s energy, economic, environmental, and social self-sufficiency and sovereignty amongst the most needy on the Reservation

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Development of a Residential Smart Range Hood

This report documents the development testing of a residential smart range hood for automated mitigation of air pollutants generated during cooking events.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

North Carolina Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the State of North Carolina identified opportunities to reduce homeowner utility bills in residential single-family new construction by increasing compliance with the state energy code. The study was initiated in January 2015 and continued through September 2015. During this period, research teams visited 249 homes during various stages of construction, resulting in a substantial data set based on observations made directly in the field. Analysis of the data has led to a better understanding of the energy features present in homes, and indicates over $1.5 million in potential annual savings to North Carolina homeowners that could result from increased code compliance.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗