Modeled vs. measured duct distribution efficiency in six forced-air gas-heated homes
Distribution efficiency was measured using a short-term coheating technique before and after aggressive air sealing retrofits in six Pacific Northwest homes heated with gas furnaces. These houses were selected to have a large amount of air lost from the supply side of the duct system to outdoors. Additional measurements included duct and house leakage, distribution system pressures, and temperatures inside and outside the home as well as in the buffer spaces where the ducts were located. Physical characteristics of the ducts and buffer spaces, including surface area and insulation levels, were also measured. These additional measurements provide the inputs to a duct efficiency model developed by Ecotope, which accounts separately for supply- and return-side losses and for conduction and leakage losses. The model also accounts for duct losses recovered to the house via regain and the interaction of duct leakage with natural infiltration. This paper presents the measured results of the coheating tests and compares them to the predictions provided by the model. Estimates of the reduction in energy use caused by the retrofits are also calculated from both the coheating measurements and the model.
- Research Organization:
- Ecotope, Inc., Seattle, WA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20001979
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980815-; TRN: IM0001%%416
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1998 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA (US), 08/23/1998--08/28/1998; Other Information: 10 volume set available for $200.00; PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: 1998 ACEEE summer study on energy efficiency in buildings: Proceedings, [3100] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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