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Monitored Energy Use Patterns in Low-Income Housing in a Hot and Humid Climate
Abstract
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is
metering energy use in two Habitat for Humanity
developments. The objective is to understand how
energy is used in low income housing and how it can
be effectively reduced.
The ten "control homes" come from a
conventional housing project built by in 1993 Habitat
for Humanity in Homestead, Florida. Another ten
"experimental homes" have been recruited from the
190 home Jordan Commons development in the same
vicinity. These houses, which are soon to be metered,
are designed to be energy efficient with high SEER air
conditioners, reflective roofing, solar water heaters and
energy efficient lighting and appliances.'
The instrumentation was installed in the control
homes in July of 1994 with a year of 15-minute
data now collected on all sites. Data are obtained on
seven electrical end-uses (air conditioning, heating, hot
water, dryer, range, refrigerator, washer/freezer) as
well as total. Weather conditions are also monitored as
well as interior comfort conditions (temperature and
humidity) and hot water consumption and window
ventilation status. The field data allow unique insight
into how energy is used in low income housing in a hot
and humid climate.
Citation
Parker, D. S.; Mazzara, M. D.; Sherwin, J. R. (1996). Monitored Energy Use Patterns in Low-Income Housing in a Hot and Humid Climate. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6703.