Abstract
A computer program was developed by which the behavior of residential solar heating and cooling systems could be analyzed. Unlike several other programs by which buildings and the performance of solar heating and cooling equipment can be analyzed, this program is capable of estimating the cost of backup electrical energy from a utility's actual cost of supply, in addition to its rate structures. In its present form the program permits the specification of a wide variety of solar or conventional heating and cooling devices which use electrical energy. Both the thermal loads of the residence and the utility's system-wide load are dependent upon a weather tape which is used in hourly computations extending over one year. Monthly costs of electrical energy are based upon the hourly electrical demand of the residence and the utility's cost-of-supply model. When combined with equipment costs and specified economic parameters, these monthly energy costs are used to predict total life-cycle costs for each system considered, and to show payback periods when compared with conventional equipment. Detailed descriptions of the program elements and of its input and output data streams are provided.
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