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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 - 11 of 11 results:

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

Publication Date
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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.

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.