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Image:

The 2-foot extended-width overhang on the left allows more wintertime solar heat gain to this west-facing window than the 2-foot side fin on the right (results shown for west-facing window, mid-winter, 36N latitude)

The 2-foot extended-width overhang on the left allows more wintertime solar heat gain to this west-facing window than the 2-foot side fin on the right (results shown for west-facing window, mid-winter, 36N latitude)
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The 2-foot overhang on the left performs better than the 2-foot vertical fin on the right for providing shade in the summer and solar heat gain in the winter (results shown for west-facing window, 2pm, 36N latitude).

The 2-foot overhang on the left performs better than the 2-foot vertical fin on the right for providing shade in the summer and solar heat gain in the winter (results shown for west-facing window, 2pm, 36N latitude).
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The 8-foot deck/overhang on the left provides better summer shading than the 2-foot extended-width overhang, which performs better than the 2-foot window-width overhang, which performs better than the 2-foot vertical fin (late summer, 36N latitude)

The 8-foot deck/overhang on the left provides better summer shading than the 2-foot extended-width overhang, which performs better than the 2-foot window-width overhang, which performs better than the 2-foot vertical fin (late summer, 36N latitude)
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The 8-foot-deep west-facing overhang on the left provides much better shading late in the day than the 2-foot-deep overhang on the right (results shown for west-facing window, late summer, 36N latitude).

The 8-foot-deep west-facing overhang on the left provides much better shading late in the day than the 2-foot-deep overhang on the right (results shown for west-facing window, late summer, 36N latitude).
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The AC unit has a drip pan and automatic shutoff in case the condensate drain gets clogged.

The AC unit has a drip pan and automatic shutoff in case the condensate drain gets clogged.
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The air handler of the air-to-water heat pump is equipped with a very high efficiency air filter and a damper-controlled fresh air intake.

The air handler of the air-to-water heat pump is equipped with a very high efficiency air filter and a damper-controlled fresh air intake.
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The basement is half in and half out of the ground with only 4 feet below grade, which allows for full 36-inch-tall windows that are completely above grade.

The basement is half in and half out of the ground with only 4 feet below grade, which allows for full 36-inch-tall windows that are completely above grade.
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The blower wheel (fan) on this ductless wall-mounted indoor unit has accumulated dust and mold - a common issue for this design.

The blower wheel (fan) on this ductless wall-mounted indoor unit has accumulated dust and mold - a common issue for this design.
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The condensate line (amber-colored plastic tube) from the high-efficiency furnace drains into the sewer via the same drain pipe as the clothes washer

The condensate line (amber-colored plastic tube) from the high-efficiency furnace drains into the sewer via the same drain pipe as the clothes washer
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The design of this home incorporates multiple methods to reduce summertime solar gains including roll-down exterior blinds, wide exterior horizontal louvers, minimized east/west-facing windows, and vegetation.

The design of this home incorporates multiple methods to reduce summertime solar gains including roll-down exterior blinds, wide exterior horizontal louvers, minimized east/west-facing windows, and vegetation.
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The drain pans sit below the cooling coil to catch condensate and direct it to a drain line

The drain pans sit below the cooling coil to catch condensate and direct it to a drain line
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The drain pipe should include a trap and a clean-out with a removable cap

The drain pipe should include a trap and a clean-out with a removable cap
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The duct tester and blower door are set up to measure leakage to the outdoors

The duct tester and blower door are set up to measure leakage to the outdoors
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The ductless air handler of a ductless heat pump can be mounted above the ceiling so that only the register is visible

The ductless air handler of a ductless heat pump can be mounted above the ceiling so that only the register is visible
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The filter access panel on this vertical upflow air handler is located between the return ductwork below and the coils above.

The filter access panel on this vertical upflow air handler is located between the return ductwork below and the coils above.
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The grille in the photo on the left brings air into a return air plenum under an air handler platform. As shown in the infrared image on the right, the plenum is not air sealed so hot attic air is being pulled into the air handler closet.

The grille in the photo on the left brings air into a return air plenum under an air handler platform. As shown in the infrared image on the right, the plenum is not air sealed so hot attic air is being pulled into the air handler closet.
Case Study:

The Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Zero Energy Demonstration Home

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The high-efficiency air-to-air heat pump is set in an overflow pan with an emergency shut off sensor in case the condensate tube were to clog and cause condensate to fill up the pan.

The high-efficiency air-to-air heat pump is set in an overflow pan with an emergency shut off sensor in case the condensate tube were to clog and cause condensate to fill up the pan.
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The HVAC equipment's condensate drain pan is equipped with a water-level detection device that will shut off the equipment if the water level pan in the pan gets too high

The HVAC equipment's condensate drain pan is equipped with a water-level detection device that will shut off the equipment if the water level pan in the pan gets too high
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The IR image on the right shows the sun is heating the southeast-facing wall of this concrete-block house to 36C (97F); this corner of the home would not be a good place for a cool room due to lack of shading and insulation

The IR image on the right shows the sun is heating the southeast-facing wall of this concrete-block house to 36C (97F); this corner of the home would not be a good place for a cool room due to lack of shading and insulation
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The mechanical room in the insulated basement houses the water heating equipment, including the storage tank for the solar thermal system and the wall-hung boiler as well as the air handler for the hydro coil and high-efficiency (16 SEER) air conditioner.

The mechanical room in the insulated basement houses the water heating equipment, including the storage tank for the solar thermal system and the wall-hung boiler as well as the air handler for the hydro coil and high-efficiency (16 SEER) air conditioner.
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The natural draft and induced draft furnace are both Category I appliances that receive combustion air from the combustion appliance zone

The natural draft and induced draft furnace are both Category I appliances that receive combustion air from the combustion appliance zone
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The NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List allows users to search, sort, and filter for cold climate heat pumps by brand, model, product type, and ducting configuration; an advanced search provides helpful resources for sizing to the heating load

The NEEP Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List allows users to search, sort, and filter for cold climate heat pumps by brand, model, product type, and ducting configuration; an advanced search provides helpful resources for sizing to the heating load
Case Study:

The New American Home 2011 Orlando, Florida