H&H - Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates
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The Proceedings of the Hot & Humid Symposium are housed in this collection.
This Symposium provides an opportunity to exchange information on technologies, strategies, and programs to improve the efficiency of building systems in hot and humid climates.
The conference program consists of technical presentations and discussions, highlighted by a vision-building plenary session, informative luncheon speakers, and technical sessions with top researchers and practitioners.
For more information, please go to the Hot and Humid website: http://www.hothumidsymposium.org
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Recent Submissions
Item The Economics of LEED-EB for Single Buildings and Building Portfolios(Energy Systems Laboratory, 2008-12) Arny, M.Item Air Conditioner Efficiency Under Hot Dry and Hot Humid Conditions - The Utility Perspective(Energy Systems Laboratory, 2008-12) Amarnath, A.Item Climate Change Awareness Time Line: How Did We Get to Today?(Energy Systems Laboratory, 2008-12) Crawford, J. G.The climate change issue has really entered the awareness of the general public within the last two years or so. During that time, references in the media have progressed from the back page of the newspapers to front page news. Other than in the minds of atmospheric scientists, environmentalists, and policy makers, climate change had seemed to be a distant threat that could be dealt with at a later time, if needed. Within the last two years, the public awareness of the issue has become almost universal, penetrating the fiber of almost all mass communications media, from the comic strips to national TV programming.Item Climate Change: Some Scientific and Political Realities(Energy Systems Laboratory, 2008-12) Crawford, J. G.Atmospheric scientists tell us that mankind is changing the climate, and is setting in motion forces that can make essentially irreversible changes in the climate of the future. Naysayers dispute whether mankind is even capable of changing the climate. Today we are hearing more from the scientists and less from the naysayers. This presentation will review highlights of the science and the political response to the scientific facts, at both the national and international levels. Domestically, the next chapter will be written by the incoming administration.Item Rooftop Membrane Temperature Reductions with Green Roof Technology in South-Central Texas(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Dvorak, B.Early green roof cooling and energy reduction research in North America took place in Canada and the northern latitudes of the United States, where green roofs reduced rooftop temperatures by 70% to 90%. Less is known about green roof technology in the southern Untied States; where energy demand for cooling buildings is high, and the urban heat island effect is more pronounced. This paper reports early findings for rooftop membrane temperature reductions from 11.6-cm-deep modular green roof trays, typical of large-scaled, low-maintenance applications. Measurements observed during May, 2010 reveal that temperatures below the modular planted green roof units were 82% to 91.6% cooler compared to the surface temperatures of the control roof membrane. These findings on low-input modular green roof trays reinforce other research findings that indicate green roof technology can dramatically reduce and modify temperatures on roof deck surfaces during peak energy demand periods in hot sunny climates.Item Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Measures in Hot and Humid Climates(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Zhao, Y.; Erwine, B.; Leonard, P.; Pease, B.; Dole, A.; Lee, A.Hot and humid climates present some of the most complex challenges for sustainable building designs. High temperatures coupled with high humidity create extreme comfort problems and exacerbate the potential for condensation, mold and mildew. These are usually remedied with conventional mechanical air conditioning systems, but the move toward sustainability urges designers to find less energy intensive solutions. An integrated design process coupled with energy modeling and lifecycle analysis can unite design teams around desired outcomes to provide an optimized design solution for projects in these climates. Such an approach involves first minimizing building loads and then reducing residual energy consumed by the HVAC systems. This paper presents an integrated design approach to evaluating the most efficient energy measures in hot and humid climates and summarizes the findings of a series of cases using this approach, including international examples of office, education, and small retail buildings in ASHRAE Climate Zones 1A and 2A.Item Low Impact, Affordable, Low Income Houses for Mexico(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Alcocer, J. L. B.; Haberl, J. S.This paper discusses an effort to develop low impact, affordable, low income houses for Mexico. Low impact houses are defined as houses with energy and water needs that are substantially reduced below levels corresponding to code compliance. This paper includes an analysis of the population and energy consumption of the different climate regions in Mexico (Hot-Dry Deserts, Great Plains, Mediterranean, Semi-Arid, Temperate, Hot-Dry Jungles and Hot-Humid Jungles) versus the USA and concludes with advice on an approach for low impact housing.Item The Oregon State University Kelley Engineering Center(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Schroeder, B.Item Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EERE) Projects in Texas Public Schools(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Kim, H.; Liu, Z.; Baltazar, J. C.; Mukhopadhyay, J.; Haberl, J. S.; Do, S.; Yazdani, B.; Culp, C.This paper presents the preliminary results from an analysis of the energy saving potential in new and existing Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs). The analysis was performed using a K-12 simulation model based on the DOE-2.1e program that uses ASHRAE Standard 90.1 code-compliant, school buildings for three climate zones in Texas. In this analysis, government and private data sources from the U.S. EPA Energy Star, the Texas Education Agency, and the EnergyPlus Benchmark school models were reviewed to determine the base-case K-12 school characteristics in Texas. Available guidelines and case-studies were reviewed to develop energy efficient measures for high performance school buildings. As a result, four base-case school models that are compliant with the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1989, 1999, 2004, and 2007 were developed for each climate zone. In addition, a total of eighteen energy efficient measures were considered. These include measures for the building envelope, lighting, HVAC system, DHW system, and renewable energy systems. The proposed energy efficient measures were then applied to the base-case school model to examine the energy saving potential for Texas ISDs.Item The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Green City Program: Assisting Cities and Municipalities to Engage Customers and Develop Effective Energy Efficiency Programs(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Taube, B.The Southeastern region of the United States is at a critical turning point in its development. With twice the population growth of the country overall, the demand for energy is projected to increase by 30% in the next 20 years, with much of the electricity load growth to be met by new baseload plants. This presentation describes the work of a competitive City model for energy efficiency programs in the Southeast.Item Exploring Cost-Effective, High Performance Residential Retrofits for Affordable Housing in the Hot Humid Climate(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) McIlvaine, J.; Sutherland, K.; Chandra, S.; Schleith, K.In 2009, a Department of Energy Building America team led by the Florida Solar Energy Center began working with partners to find cost-effective paths for improving the energy performance of existing homes in the hot humid climate. A test-in energy audit and energy use modeling of the partner’s proposed renovation package was performed for 41 affordable and middle income foreclosed homes in Florida and Alabama. HERS1 Indices ranged from 92 to 184 with modeled energy savings ranging from 3% to 50% (average of 26%). Analyses and recommendations were discussed with partners to encourage more efficient retrofits, highlight health and safety issues, and gather feedback on incremental cost of high performance measures. Ten completed renovations have modeled energy savings ranging from 9% to 48% (average 31%.) This paper presents the project’s process including our findings thus far and highlights of the first home to meet the target HERS Index of 70.Item A Comparative Analysis of Residential Energy Use for 2009 IECC Code Compliance and 2001 IECC Compliance with 2006 NAECA Appliance Standards for Selected Climate Zones in Texas(Energy Systems Laboratory (Http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Mukhopadhyay, J.; Baltazar, J. C.; Liu, Z.; Haberl, J.; Culp, C.; Yazdani, B.This paper presents results of a comparative analysis of the electricity and natural gas savings from the implementation of 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) when compared with the 2001 IECC1 specifications with 2006 NAECA for a new single-family residential construction. The analysis uses a DOE-2 simulation for five locations in Texas (Houston, Brownsville, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso and Amarillo). The analysis shows that a code – compliant house built to the specifications of the 2009 IECC uses 10% – 16% less site energy annually than a house meeting the specifications of the 2001 IECC, for an air-conditioned house with a natural gas furnace. The results also show that an air conditioned 2009 code - compliant house with a heat pump uses 10% - 14% less site energy annually.Item Development of a Texas Building Registry(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Gilman, D. R.; Haberl, J.; Kayati, M.; O'Neal, S.The Texas Building Registry (TBR or Registry) provides data collection, storage, and analysis of above-code residential housing construction in Texas. The original system was developed to support the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP). Since 2005, the Energy Systems Laboratory (The Laboratory) has provided web-based, above code energy efficiency calculators for public use. The Registry can accept single entry and batch loading of data describing Energy Star™ homes, low-income weatherization programs, or data from municipal code enforcement systems. The Registry is independent of, and respectful of, other rating systems used by partners, thus it can accept data for homes measured against Energy Star, IECC 2000/2001, 2006, 2009, and specially amended Codes. Reports can be given summarized geographically against weather zones, county or cities, and even displayed on a map (i.e., thematic mapping). Additional reports on building characteristics can be analyzed and reported such as: HVAC tonnage per sq. ft; or average SHGC. Data provided by partners is kept secure database server located at the Texas A&M University. Individual results from the Registry will not be displayed to further respect the privacy of individuals who have provided the data.Item Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Withers, C. R. Jr.; Cummings, J. B.Wind washing is a general term referring to diminished thermal control caused by air movement over or through a thermal barrier. The primary focus of this paper is towards a specific type of wind washing where wind can push attic air into the floor cavity between first and second stories of the home through ineffective (or missing) air barriers separating attic space from the floor cavity. A second type of wind washing studied in this project involved insulation batts on knee walls where space between the batts and the wall board allowed air movement against the gypsum wall board. During hot weather, the first type of wind washing pushes hot air into the floor cavity (between the first and second stories) thereby heating ceiling, floor, and interior wall surfaces (see Figures 1 and 2). Condensation may occur on cold supply duct surfaces within the floor cavity resulting in ceiling moisture damage. In cold climates, cold air from wind washing can chill surfaces within the interior floor space and result in frozen water pipes. Through the summer of 2009, a field study tested thirty-two two-story homes and found significant wind washing potential in 40% of the homes. Part I of this paper will highlight the evaluation methods used and the extent of wind washing found in this study. Repairs and energy monitoring were completed in six of these homes to evaluate retrofit methods and cost effectiveness of retrofit solutions. These results are discussed in Part II of this paper.Item Natural Ventilation Applications in Hot-humid Climate: A Preliminary Design for the College of Design at NTUST(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Lin, M. T.; Wei, H. Y.; Lin, Y. J.; Wu, H. F.; Liu, P. H.In Taiwan’s humid environment, the application of natural ventilation is an essential passive strategy for high performance buildings. However, conventional architectural design tools are rarely capable of analyzing the unpredictable air currents in an urban environment. Thus, the integration of a natural ventilation strategy in the conventional design process remains uncommon and difficult to implement. This paper discusses the incorporation of various ventilation design strategies in an early stage of architectural design using simple simulation software (Ecotect and WinAir4) to evaluate the benefits of natural ventilation in building design. The preliminary design of the new College of Design at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) in Taipei, Taiwan, is used as a vehicle to demonstrate this integrated design process.Item Technical and Economic Analysis of Solar Cooling Systems in a Hot and Humid Climate(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Moaveni, H.The aim of this paper is to promote efficient and cost effective implementation of advanced solar cooling systems and techniques for the hot and humid climates cities in the United States. After an introduction of basic principles, the development history and recent progress in solar cooling technologies are reported. Nevertheless, the economics of solar energy systems are particularly complex with much inevitable uncertainty due to several factors. In this paper, a simplified comprehensive economic optimization model is developed to determine whether a particular solar system is economically advantageous for a particular project. This model explains and illustrates with simple, but realistic examples the use of life-cycle cost analysis and benefit-cost analysis to evaluate and compare the economic efficiency of the solar cooling system. Consequently, under appropriate conditions, solar or solar-assisted air conditioning systems may be reasonable alternatives to conventional air-conditioning systems in a hot and humid climate.Item Performance Evaluation of Hot Water Efficiency Plumbing System Using Thermal Valve(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Cha, K. S.; Park, M. S.; Seo, H. Y.In Korea two popular water distribution systems—the branch type and the separate type systems—have serious drawbacks. The branch type suffers from temperature instability while the separate type suffers from excessive piping. Neither of them re-circulates water. The system proposed in this paper utilizes a water-conserving piping system with a thermostat valve. This paper compares the proposed system with that of the separate type. Our findings show that the proposed system wastes less water. After re-circulating for 78-87 seconds, water is available at set point temperature (40°C). Also, when multiple water taps are in use, the average temperature deviation is less than 0.6°C. Moreover, the proposed system has 50% less flow rate than the separate type system.Item Internal Microclimate Resulting From Ventilated Attics in Hot and Humid Regions(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Mooney, B. L.; Porter, W. A.Ventilated spaces in the built environment create unique and beneficial microclimates. While the current trends in building physics suggest sealing attics and crawlspaces, comprehensive research still supports the benefits of the ventilated microclimate. Data collected at the University of Florida Energy Park show the attic environment of asphalt shingled roofs to be typically hotter than the outdoor conditions, but when properly ventilated sustains a much lower relative humidity. The hot, humid regions of the United States can utilize this internally convective, exchanging air mass to provide stable moisture levels within attic spaces. Positioning the buildings primary boundary at the ceiling deck allows for utilization of this buffer climate to minimize moisture trapping in insulation and maximize the insulation’s thermal benefits. This investigation concludes the conditions in a ventilated attic are stable through seasonal changes and promotes cost effective, energy efficient climate control of unconditioned spaces in hot, humid regions.Item Smart Grid Embedded Cyber Security: Ensuring Security While Promoting Interoperability(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Ragsdale, G.Item A Review of Ground Coupled Heat Pump Models Used in Whole-Building Computer Simulation Programs(Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu), 2010-08) Do, S. L.; Haberl, J. S.Increasingly, building owners are turning to ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems to improve energy efficiency. Ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems with a vertical closed ground loop heat exchanger are one of the more widely used systems. Over the last thirty years, a number of simulation models have been developed to calculate the performance of the ground heat exchanger (GHX). The several computer programs can evaluate the GCHP systems as a part of the whole-building energy simulation. This paper briefly presents a general introduction to GSHP systems and the GCHP system, and reviews the currently developed GCHP models and compares computer programs for a GCHP design. In addition, GHX models which play an important role on the GCHP performance are reviewed. Finally, several widely recognized computer simulation programs for building energy analysis are compared regarding their GCHP simulation capability.