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Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results:

A Feasibility Study: Ductless Hydronic Distribution systems with Fan Coil Delivery

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
Backman Christine
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Description
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.

An In-Depth Look at Ground Source Heat Pumps and Other Electric Loads in Two GreenMax Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Shapiro Carl,
Puttagunta Srikanth
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report about two test home evaluations that provided valuable data about the true in-field performance of various building mechanical systems and LAMELs.

Directory of Certified Product Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
·
Organization(s)
AHRI
Description
Online database with efficiency information about residential HVAC systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.

Energy Savers: Geothermal Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.

Feasibility of Foundation Heat Exchangers for Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in the United States

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cullin James R,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Description
Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

Field Monitoring Protocol: Mini-Split Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Christensen Dane,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Information sheet with an analysis of mini split heat pump systems.

Geothermal Heat Pumps Key Product Criteria

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.

Low-Cost Solar Water Heating Research and Development Roadmap

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hudon Kate,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report identifying the target market for solar water heaters and potential pathways and cost/performance targets that must be met for these systems to realize large energy savings.

Measure Guideline: Heat Pump Water Heaters in New and Existing Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Shapiro Carl,
Puttagunta Srikanth,
Owens Douglas
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Document with evaluation of 14 heat pump water heaters (including three recently released HPWH products) installed in existing homes in the northeast region of the United States.

NREL Delivers In-Home HVAC Efficiency Testing Solutions

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Description
Document on the development of two simple in-home efficiency test methods that can be used by technicians, researchers, or interested homeowners to verify the correct operation and energy efficiency of a homes air conditioning and heating equipment.

Residential Ground Source Heat Pumps with Integrated Domestic Hot Water Generation: Performance Results from Long-Term Monitoring

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Stecher Dave,
Allison Katherine
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Description
Report discussing instrumentation methods and field operation characteristics of two GSHPs in test houses, including a comparison between the manufacturers listed COP values and the COPs calculated from field data.

Strategy Guideline: HVAC Equipment Sizing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Burdick Arlan
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report describing the equipment selection of a split system air conditioner and furnace for an example house in Chicago, Illinois, as well as a heat pump system for an example house in Orlando, Florida.

Swapping ECM for PSC fan motor

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Question and Answer article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.