Fuel utilization in residences. Final report

Abstract

The primary objective of this project was to develop a mathematical model and digital computer program for accurately calculating the energy required by residential housing units on an hourly, daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. The model and program were used to establish an accurate procedure for determining the monthly and seasonal energy requirements of all types of residential structures. The response-factor technique was used to calculate the dynamic load responses of a residential structure. The model and program take into account all the internal and external dynamic loads imposed on the structure; they were verified by extensive calculations and field measurements applied to nine residential dwelling units in the Columbus, Ohio, area. Four of these sites were of identical two-story frame construction. One was unoccupied throughout the project and thus provided a control house, or minimum-energy-usage home. The five remaining sites consisted of a ranch-style house, a split-level house, and three townhouse apartments. All contained conventional space heating and cooling equipment, either natural gas or electric forced-air furnaces. A dynamic model for simulating hourly attic space air temperatures was developed and incorporated in the thermal-load calculation procedures. The model accounts for hourly weather variables--for example, outdoor temperature, wind speed, etc.more » A detailed study was conducted to develop and field-validate a method of calculating ground temperatures adjacent to below-grade walls and floors. A significant effort was directed toward development of a theoretical model for predicting air infiltration in residences.« less