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At least 667 records · Page 37

Risk Assessment of Catastrophic Leak Of R-452b From Package Unit into A Residential Space

With the effort to find alternative refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP), challenges have arisen due to the flammability risk for many of the alternatives. One of the new alternatives is R-452B, which is recommended as a replacement for R410A. R-452B is classified as a mildly flammable refrigerant (A2L) by ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34. This paper summarizes a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation study of a leak incident of R-452B from a 3-ton packaged unit which serves a 167 m 2 residence. The R-452B leak is assumed to be downstream of the evaporator coil. The simulated residence has four rooms and a hallway. The packaged unit distributes the conditioned air through a supply duct system delivering the air through registers. The dispersion of R-452B is characterized for two scenarios: one with underfloor supply air ducts and another with ceiling supply air ducts. The mass flow rate of R-452B exiting the duct outlets is quantified and the refrigerant volume fraction is monitored inside the residential space.

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Tracer gas test in Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility

The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF) at NIST was built in 2012 to support the development and adoption of cost-effective net-zero energy designs, technologies, and construction methods. It is two-story, and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an open living room, dining room, and kitchen space. The NZERTF also has a basement and attic, both located within the conditioned space because the thermal and air-moisture barriers encompass the basement walls and attic roof. Transfer grilles link the living spaces to these two zones. The central heating and cooling system includes an air-toair heat pump, which delivers air to the basement, first and second floors. The heat pump has a cooling capacity of 7.6 kW and a heating capacity of 7.8 kW. The indoor unit is in the basement and ductwork runs along the basement ceiling. A balanced heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is installed in the basement and has its own dedicated ductwork. The HRV supplies 47 L/s of outdoor air to the house, with supplies on the first floor (in the kitchen/dining area) and in each of the three second-floor bedrooms. Air from the first-floor bathroom and both second-floor bathrooms is returned to the HRV before being exhausted, though the HRV was turned off during the tests. The house also has a range hood exhaust and a clothes dryer exhaust, both of which were turned off for the tests. The temperature of the house was measured and the operation of the space conditioning system, including its recirculating air distribution fan, were controlled by a commercially available thermostat.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

FY20 Third Milestone Report for Advanced Techno-Economic Modeling for Geothermal Heat Pump Applications in Residential, Commercial, and Industry Buildings

This report summarizes the developments of an integrated simulation program for enabling simulation, auto-sizing, and optimization of geothermal heat pump systems. This work fulfills the following FY20 third milestone for WBS 2.5.5.3: Advanced Techno-Economic Modeling for Geothermal Heat Pump Applications in Residential, Commercial, and Industry Building.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Effects of EMP Testing on Residential DC/AC Microinverters

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) coupling into electronic devices can be destructive to components potentially causing device malfunction or failure. A large electromagnetic field generated from the EMP can induce large voltages and currents in components. As such, the effects of EMP on different devices needs to be understood to elucidate the effect of EMP on potentially vulnerable systems. This report presents test results for small-scale residential DC to AC solar panel microinverters that were subjected to high voltage impulses and currents. The impulses were intended to emulate an EMP coupling event to the AC and DC sides of the microinverter. State-of-health measurements were conducted to characterize device performance before and after each test.

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Alabama Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the state of Alabama 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 March 2014 and continued through May 2014. During this period, research teams visited 134 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 nearly $1.3 million in potential savings to Alabama homeowners that could result from increased code compliance. Public and private entities within the state can use this information to justify and catalyze future investments in energy code training and related energy-efficiency programs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Arkansas Residential Energy Code Field Study (Baseline Report)

A research project in the State of Arkansas 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 May 2015 and continued through October 2015. During this period, research teams visited 226 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 $300,000 in potential annual savings to Arkansas homeowners that could result from increased code compliance.

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Energy Savings Analysis: 2018 IECC for Residential Buildings

DOE and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) conducted a technical analysis to determine energy savings for the 2018 IECC residential provisions relative to the previous edition, the 2015 IECC. This report documents the methodology used to conduct the analysis and summarizes the results and findings.

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Georgia Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the State of Georgia 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 April 2015 and continued through November 2015. During this period, research teams visited 216 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 $3 million in potential annual savings to Georgia homeowners that could result from increased code compliance.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Energy Use Savings for a Typical New Residential Dwelling Unit Based on the 2009 and 2012 IECC as Compared to the 2006 IECC

The 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) require a substantial improvement in energy efficiency compared to the 2006 IECC. This report averages the energy use savings for a typical new residential dwelling unit based on the 2009 and 2012 IECC compared to the 2006 IECC. Results are reported by the eight climate zones in the IECC and for the national average.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Idaho Residential Energy Code Field Study

A research project in the state of Idaho identified opportunities to reduce homeowner energy costs in residential single-family new construction by increasing compliance with the current state energy code. The study was initiated in January 2018; data collection began in March 2018 and continued through June 2018. During this period, research teams visited 127 homes during various stages of construction, resulting in a collection of data 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 nearly $500,000 in potential annual savings to Idaho homeowners that could result from increased compliance with the Idaho Energy Conservation Code.

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Kentucky Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the Commonwealth of Kentucky 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 April 2015 and continued through August 2015. During this period, research teams visited 140 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 $1,200,000 in potential annual savings to Kentucky homeowners that could result from increased code compliance.

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Maryland Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the state of Maryland investigated energy code-related aspects of residential single-family new construction. The study was initiated in January 2015 and continued through July 2015. During this period, research teams visited 207 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 savings to Maryland homeowners that could result from increased code compliance. Public and private entities within the state can use this information to justify and catalyze future investments in energy code training and related energy-efficiency programs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Methodology for Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness of Residential Energy Code Changes

DOE's Building Energy Codes Program has developed and established a methodology for evaluating the energy and economic performance of residential energy codes. This methodology serves two primary purposes. First, as DOE participates in the consensus processes of the International Code Council, the methodology described herein will be used by DOE to ensure that its proposals are both energy efficient and cost-effective. Second, when a new version of the International Energy Conservation Code is published, DOE will evaluate the new code as a whole to establish expected energy savings and cost-effectiveness, which will help states and local jurisdictions interested in adopting the new codes. DOE's measure of cost-effectiveness balances longer-term energy savings against additions to initial costs through a life-cycle cost perspective.

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Pennsylvania Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 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 October 2014 and continued through July 2015. During this period, research teams visited 171 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 $2.7 million in potential annual savings to Pennsylvania homeowners that could result from increased compliance with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (and equivalent compliance options). Public and private entities within the state can use this information to justify and catalyze future investments in energy code training and related energy-efficiency programs.

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Texas Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the state of Texas 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 October 2014; data collection began in March 2015, and continued through October 2015. During this period, research teams visited 133 homes in 30 counties in and around Houston during various stages of construction, resulting in a substantial data set based on observations made directly in the field. Stakeholders in the state agreed that these 30 counties represented the levels of energy codes and enforcement seen across the state. Analysis of the data has led to a better understanding of the energy features present in homes, and, when extrapolated across the entire state, indicates over $16 million in potential annual savings to Texas homeowners that could result from increased code compliance. Public and private entities within the state can use this information to justify and catalyze future investments in energy code training and related energy efficiency programs.

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Virginia Residential Energy Code Field Study: Baseline Report

A research project in the Commonwealth of Virginia 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 August 2017 and continued through May 2018. Analysis of the data has led to a better understanding of the energy features present in homes and indicates over $2.9 million in potential annual savings to Virginia homeowners that could result from increased code compliance.

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Ventilation in Residential Care Environments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ventilation rate, directional airflow (e.g. pressure relationships) and airflow barriers on bioaerosol concentration and movement within assisted-living and residential care environments. Included within this report is a comprehensive literature review, field data collection test plan and, an evaluation of commercially available mitigation technologies related to the transmission of COVID-19 in LTC environments. Additionally, this report includes aerosol testing in an actual LTC facility using the test plan developed herein. Nearly 1.5 million people live in 16,000 nursing homes in the U.S. As of December 20, 2020 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identified a total of 662,549 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases in these and other long-term care (LTC) facilities resulting in 92,373 deaths. At this time, COVID-19 cases in LTC facilities accounted for only 3% of the U.S. total of 21M confirmed cases yet nearly a third of the 350,000 total U.S. deaths. Preliminary studies have found little correlation between the quality of care and transmission of COVID-19 in these facilities, suggesting that even the best infection control practices may not be effective in containing the spread of this potentially airborne disease. As a result, many LTC facilities have implemented quarantine procedures and other measures to isolate infectious residents from the general population. Unfortunately, most LTC facilities were not designed for airborne infection control and guidance for retrofitting existing LTC spaces for airborne isolation is limited.

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Savings in Action: Lessons from Observed and Modeled Residential Solar Plus Storage Systems

The electric grid is rapidly evolving as small-scale, demand-side resources play increasingly important roles in grid operations and decarbonization. Maximizing the potential of demand-side resources involves incentivizing electricity customers to use those resources in ways that benefit the broader electrical grid. These incentives depend largely on the electricity cost savings that customers can realize from demand-side resource adoption. Determining these potential cost savings is a complex task. Cost savings depend on numerous factors, including the characteristics of different technologies, the algorithms that control these devices, system performance, customer behavior, electricity rate structures, and climatic factors. Another challenge is that estimated cost savings are frequently based on modeled rather than observed system performance, particularly in the academic literature. In this study, we begin to fill the gap in empirical research of demand-side resources using data from a new construction residential community equipped with rooftop solar and storage (S+S) in Arizona. We use these data to analyze the factors that determine customer electricity cost savings and emissions impacts of S+S in the real world. We then compare these data to modeled system performance to understand how models deviate from real-world outcomes. Based on these findings, we explore ways to improve such models and, conversely, use modeled results to suggest improvements to actual S+S deployment. The results of these analyses can be summarized in four key findings: 1) rate structures play a central role in the grid and customer value of demand-side resources; 2) certain customers can benefit more from demand-side resource adoption than others; 3) modeled battery dispatch and sizing reveals opportunities for additional cost savings; and 4) optimal dispatches can reduce grid emissions while maximizing bill savings.

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