Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates: September 1, 2001 -- December 30, 2003
Twenty homes were tested and monitored in the hot-humid climate of Houston, Texas, U.S.A., to evaluate the humidity control performance and operating cost of six different integrated dehumidification and ventilation systems that could be applied by production homebuilders. Temperature and relative humidity were monitored at four living-space locations and in the conditioned attic where the space-conditioning equipment and air-distribution ducts were located. Equipment operational time was monitored for heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation. Results showed that energy efficiency measures, combined with controlled mechanical ventilation, change the sensible and latent cooling load fractions such that dehumidification separate from the cooling system is required to maintain indoor relative humidity below 60% throughout the year. The system providing the best overall value, including humidity control, first cost, and operating cost, involved a standard dehumidifier located in a hall closet with a louvered door and central-fan-integrated supply ventilation with fan cycling.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-99-GO10337
- OSTI ID:
- 15014830
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR-550-36643; ADC-1-34069-00; TRN: US200508%%274
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Feb 2005; Related Information: Work performed by Building Science Corporation, Westford, Massachusetts
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ATTICS
AVAILABILITY
BLOWERS
CLIMATES
COOLING LOAD
COOLING SYSTEMS
DEHUMIDIFIERS
DUCTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
HEATING
HUMIDITY
HUMIDITY CONTROL
OPERATING COST
VENTILATION
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
BUILDING AMERICA
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES
RESIDENTIAL DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH
HOT-HUMID CLIMATES
HOUSE TESTING
TEXAS
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
BUILDINGS
HOT-HUMID CLIMATE
MOISTURE CONTROL