Thermal performance and economic benefits of residential passive solar systems

Technical Report · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5763367

Neal, R W; Wood, R A; McCabe, T F

In earlier phases of the project a computer methodology was developed for electric utilities to use in analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, for themselves and their customers, of passive solar residential construction in their service areas. The specific objectives of Phase III were: to use the computer methodology to evaluate load management options not considered in Phases I and II of the project: ground-coupled heat pumps; a variety of passive solar building elements (infrared-reflecting window film, triple-pane windows, selective surfaces for mass walls, and highly reflective exterior surfaces); and multi-family passive solar units; and to compare building performance simulation results derived from the EMPS-2 computer program - the first of the four computer programs composing this methodology - with experimental data obtained in an existing full-scale passive solar demonstration project. Ground-coupled heat pumps were shown to be most cost-effective in northerly climates where heating loads dominate. They may also be economically viable in hot, cooling-load dominated climates if well drilling costs are reasonable. Analysis of infrared-reflecting window films, triple-pane windows, and selective surfaces for mass walls indicated that all are economically justifiable if considered on a life-cycle cost basis. Highly reflective exterior surfaces were found to be uneconomical. Evaluation of multifamily condominium units showed negligible differences in energy performance between the existing passive solar design and a simulated energy-conserving design using heavier insulation, smaller amounts of south-facing glass, electric resistance heat, and vapor air conditioning. EMPS-2 simulation results proved accurate and useful in all cases investigated.

• Research Organization: JBF Scientific Corp., Winchester, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5763367
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EM-4013; ON: TI85920583
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
BUILDINGS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SYSTEMS
LIFE-CYCLE COST
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SIMULATION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS