skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Air-to-Water Heat Pumps With Radiant Delivery in Low-Load Homes

Abstract

Space conditioning represents nearly 50% of average residential household energy consumption, highlighting the need to identify alternative cost-effective, energy-efficient cooling and heating strategies. As homes are better built, there is an increasing need for strategies that are particularly well suited for high performance, low load homes. ARBI researchers worked with two test homes in hot-dry climates to evaluate the in-situ performance of air-to-water heat pump systems, an energy efficient space conditioning solution designed to cost-effectively provide comfort in homes with efficient, safe, and durable operation. Two monitoring projects of test houses in hot-dry climates were initiated in 2010 to test this system. Both systems were fully instrumented and have been monitored over one year to capture complete performance data over the cooling and heating seasons. Results are used to quantify energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and system performance using different operating modes and strategies. A calibrated TRNSYS model was developed and used to evaluate performance in various climate regions. This strategy is most effective in tight, insulated homes with high levels of thermal mass (i.e. exposed slab floors).

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Alliance for Residential Building Innovation (ARBI), Davis, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation (ARBI), Davis, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1220914
Report Number(s):
DOE/GO-102013-4019
6621
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
air-to-water heat pump; hydronic distribution; space cooling and heating; air conditioning; radiant floor; space conditioning; low load; high performance home; HVAC; residential; residential building; ARBI; Building America

Citation Formats

Backman, C., German, A., Dakin, B., and Springer, D. Air-to-Water Heat Pumps With Radiant Delivery in Low-Load Homes. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.2172/1220914.
Backman, C., German, A., Dakin, B., & Springer, D. Air-to-Water Heat Pumps With Radiant Delivery in Low-Load Homes. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1220914
Backman, C., German, A., Dakin, B., and Springer, D. 2013. "Air-to-Water Heat Pumps With Radiant Delivery in Low-Load Homes". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1220914. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1220914.
@article{osti_1220914,
title = {Air-to-Water Heat Pumps With Radiant Delivery in Low-Load Homes},
author = {Backman, C. and German, A. and Dakin, B. and Springer, D.},
abstractNote = {Space conditioning represents nearly 50% of average residential household energy consumption, highlighting the need to identify alternative cost-effective, energy-efficient cooling and heating strategies. As homes are better built, there is an increasing need for strategies that are particularly well suited for high performance, low load homes. ARBI researchers worked with two test homes in hot-dry climates to evaluate the in-situ performance of air-to-water heat pump systems, an energy efficient space conditioning solution designed to cost-effectively provide comfort in homes with efficient, safe, and durable operation. Two monitoring projects of test houses in hot-dry climates were initiated in 2010 to test this system. Both systems were fully instrumented and have been monitored over one year to capture complete performance data over the cooling and heating seasons. Results are used to quantify energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and system performance using different operating modes and strategies. A calibrated TRNSYS model was developed and used to evaluate performance in various climate regions. This strategy is most effective in tight, insulated homes with high levels of thermal mass (i.e. exposed slab floors).},
doi = {10.2172/1220914},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1220914}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2013},
month = {Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2013}
}