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U.S. Department of Energy
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Monitored low-energy houses in North America and Europe: a compilation and economic analysis

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5698306
In the Building Energy-Use Compilation and Analysis (BECA) project, Part A (New homes), 215 submetered, energy-efficient residential buildings (including 7 small multi-family buildings comprising 68 single-family units) were analyzed. The energy use of these buildings was compared, normalized to an indoor temperature of 20/sup 0/C. The average thermal integrity of these buildings is 53 kJ/m/sup 2/DDC. Only 29 buildings have submetering adequate to permit normalizing space heating loads for both indoor temperature and internal gains. The average standard thermal integrity of these 29 buildings is 46 kJ/m/sup 2/DDC. These compare favorably to US 1979 building practice of 100 kJ/m/sup 2/DDC and US Stock at 180 kJ/m/sup 2/DDC. Data on the added first cost of conservation measures for 92 buildings were obtained. Of these buildings, the only homes that have costs of conserved energy below current energy costs are those with superinsulation, either alone for combined with low-aperture, passive-solar design.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
5698306
Report Number(s):
LBL-14788-Rev.; CONF-820849-8-Rev.; ON: DE83016108
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English