Using a whole-house fan to decrease air-conditioning energy use - estimate of energy savings and economic viability for residential applications

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5908617

Olszewski, M; McLain, H A

During periods of the day (primarily during the evening or early morning hours), a whole-house fan can be used in place of a central air-conditioning system to provide space cooling for residential structures. The fan generally requires only one-half or less the power required to operate the air-conditioning system. Thus, energy savings result. This analysis examined the energy savings potential and economic feasibility of the whole-house fan when used in conjunction with a typical air-conditioning system. A prototypical house design was used, and an hour-by-hour simulation was performed for 22 cities representing various climates. It was assumed that the fan would be operated when the ambient temperature was between 21 and 27/sup 0/C (70 and 80/sup 0/F) and that it would be turned off between midnight and 6 a.m. The results of the analysis show that the whole-house fan is economically attractive (i.e., a simple payback of <5 years) in only two cities (both of which are desert-type climates) and then only when owner installed. Because of the limited applicability of the concept, it is recommended that the whole-house fan can not be included in the Residential Conservation Service model audit if it is to be used in conjunction with a central air-conditioning system. However, the whole-house fan may be a competitor to central air-conditioning in Northern climates. An analysis of this option is recommended.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5908617
• Report Number(s): ORNL/CON-115; ON: DE83017386
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning &amp; Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
&amp; Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AIR CONDITIONING
AIR FLOW
BLOWERS
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
DEMAND
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY DEMAND
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HOUSES
OPERATION
PAYBACK PERIOD
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SPECIFICATIONS