Technology Solutions Case Study: Evaluation of the Performance of Houses With and Without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate, New Orleans, Louisiana
The purpose of this project by Building Science Corporation was to evaluate the humidity control performance of new single family high performance homes, and 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 10 single-family new construction homes in New Orleans, LA. Data logging equipment was installed at each home in 2012, and 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:
- Building Science Corporation
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
- OSTI ID:
- 1220372
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/GO-102014-4481; 6970
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
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)
Evaluation of the Performance of Houses With and Without Supplemental Dehumidification in a Hot-Humid Climate
Related Subjects
Building America
New Orleans
datalogging
energy use measurements
hot-humid
humidity control
interior conditions
monitoring
new construction
relative humidity measurements
residential
residential buildings
single-family houses
stand-alone dehumidifier
supplemental dehumidification
temperature measurements
whole-house dehumidifier