Effects of ducted forced-air heating systems on residential air leakage and heating energy use

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · ASHRAE Transactions (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (USA)

OSTI ID:5770006

Lambert, L A; Robison, D H ^[1]

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1. Lambert Engineering, Inc., Bend, OR (US)

Whole-house leakage and heating energy use of electric forced-air and room-heater-equipped homes in the Northwest are compared. More than 800 homes were tested to study energy savings from a proposed code. Air tested to study energy savings from a proposed code. Air leakage was measured using fan pressurization and tracer gas. Energy use was submetered; inside-to-ambient temperature differential was monitored. Two home groups were tested: energy-efficient MCS homes and a control group of current practice homes. Ducted and unducted heating systems were compared within homogeneous subsets of homes. Air leakages were compared using 4 Pascal air infiltration, effective leakage area, specific leakage area, and 50 Pascal ach. Heating energy was compared using specific K factor (Btu/h {center dot} {degrees}F {center dot} ft{sup 2}). Ducted forced-air homes were leakier and used more heat than unducted homes. Ducted control homes were 26% leakier than unducted controls and used 40% more heating energy. Ducted MCS homes were 22% leakier and used 13% more heating energy than unducted MCS homes.

• OSTI ID: 5770006
• Report Number(s): CONF-890609--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Transactions (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (USA) Journal Volume: 95, Part 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
APPLIANCES
BUILDINGS
DUCTS
ENERGY LOSSES
HEAT LOSSES
HEATERS
HOUSES
LEAKS
LOSSES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SPACE HEATERS
VENTILATION SYSTEMS