Comparative Testing of the Combined Radiant Barrier and Duct Models in the ESL's Code-Compliant Simulation Model

Abstract

This report presents a study of the application of the radiant barrier / duct models to the DOE-2.1e simulation program based on the previous methods (eQuest version 3.55 and EnergyGauge version 2.42) and the comparison of the results of the ESL’s model and the EnergyGauge program by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying duct insulation level, supply duct area, return duct area, supply duct leakage, return duct leakage, and ceiling insulation levels. The results of sensitivity analyses show acceptable agreement versus the EnergyGauge program for duct insulation level, supply duct area, return duct area, supply duct leakage, and ceiling insulation level. Significant differences in the return duct leakage calculations were observed. These comparisons show the ESL model is more sensitive to return duct leakage than the EnergyGauge model Comparison of the results of the duct model for two cases (with radiant barrier and without radiant barrier) show acceptable agreements for the parameters of duct insulation, supply duct surface area, return duct surface area, supply duct leakage and ceiling insulation. The results of savings (with and without radiant barriers) indicate that the ESL model shows slightly more savings for all parameters. In terms of the sensitivity of the results, the ESL model also shows more sensitivity for all parameters except supply duct leakage.