Building America Case Study: Evaluation of the Performance of Houses With and Without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate, New Orleans, Louisiana (Fact Sheet)
This report, Evaluation of the Performance of Houses with and without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate, describes a research study that that was conducted by the Building Science Corporation (BSC) Building America Research Team. BSC seeks to research and report on the field monitoring of the performance of in-situ supplemental dehumidification systems in low energy, high performance, homes in a Hot-Humid climate. The purpose of this research project was to observe and compare the humidity control performance of new, single family, low energy, and high performance, homes. Specifically, the study sought to compare the interior conditions and mechanical systems operation between two distinct groups of houses, homes with a supplemental dehumidifier installed in addition to HVAC system, and homes without any supplemental dehumidification. The subjects of the study were ten single-family new construction homes in New Orleans, LA. Data logging equipment was installed at each home in 2012. Interior conditions and various end-use loads were monitored for one year. In terms of averages, the homes with dehumidifiers are limiting elevated levels of humidity in the living space. However, there was significant variation in humidity control between individual houses. An analysis of the equipment operation did not show a clear correlation between energy use and humidity levels. In general, no single explanatory variable appears to provide a consistent understanding of the humidity control in each house. Indoor humidity is likely due to all of the factors we have examined, and the specifics of how they are used by each occupant.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Building Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1163801
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/GO-102014-4481; KNDJ-0-40337-00
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Evaluation of the Performance of Houses With and Without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate
Technology Solutions Case Study: Evaluation of the Performance of Houses With and Without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate, New Orleans, Louisiana
Related Subjects
BSC
BUILDING AMERICA
DATALOGGING
ENERGY USE MEASUREMENTS
HOT-HUMID
HUMIDITY CONTROL
INTERIOR CONDITIONS
MONITORING
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW ORLEANS
RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEASUREMENTS
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES
STAND ALONE DEHUMIDIFIER
SUPPLEMENTAL DEHUMIDIFICATION
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS
WHOLE HOUSE DEHUMIDIFIER