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Title: Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes

Abstract

This study used EnergyPlus to investigate humidity issues on a typical mid-1990s reference home, a 2006 International Energy Conservation Code home, and a high-performance home in a hot-humid climate; the study confirmed that supplemental dehumidification should be provided to maintain space relative humidity below 60% in a hot-humid climate.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
OSTI Identifier:
1219134
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5500-49899
5031
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
EnergyPlus; Energy Plus; dehumidification; hot-humid climate; NREL

Citation Formats

Fang, Xia, Winkler, Jon, and Christensen, Dane. Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes. United States: N. p., 2011. Web. doi:10.2172/1219134.
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Fang, Xia, Winkler, Jon, & Christensen, Dane. Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes. United States. doi:10.2172/1219134.
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Fang, Xia, Winkler, Jon, and Christensen, Dane. Tue . "Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes". United States. doi:10.2172/1219134. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1219134.
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@article{osti_1219134,
title = {Using EnergyPlus to Perform Dehumidification Analysis on Building America Homes},
author = {Fang, Xia and Winkler, Jon and Christensen, Dane},
abstractNote = {This study used EnergyPlus to investigate humidity issues on a typical mid-1990s reference home, a 2006 International Energy Conservation Code home, and a high-performance home in a hot-humid climate; the study confirmed that supplemental dehumidification should be provided to maintain space relative humidity below 60% in a hot-humid climate.},
doi = {10.2172/1219134},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/1219134
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    A parametric study was conducted using EnergyPlus version 6.0 to investigate humidity issues on a typical mid-1990s reference home, a 2006 International Energy Conservation Code home, and a high-performance home in a hot-humid climate. The impacts of various dehumidification equipment and controls are analyzed on the high performance home. The study examined the combined effects of infiltration and mechanical ventilation with balanced and unbalanced mechanical ventilation systems. Indoor relative humidity excursions were examined; specifically, the number of excursions, average excursion length, and maximum excursion length. Space relative humidity, thermal comfort, and whole-house source energy consumption were analyzed for indoor relativemore » humidity set points of 50%, 55%, and 60%. The study showed and explained why similar trends of high humidity were observed in all three homes regardless of energy efficiency, and why humidity problems are not necessarily unique in high-performance homes. Thermal comfort analysis indicated that occupants are unlikely to notice indoor humidity problems. The study confirmed that supplemental dehumidification should be provided to maintain space relative humidity below 60% in a hot-humid climate.« less

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