Development of an Energy-Savings Calculation Methodology for Residential Miscellaneous Electric Loads: Preprint

Conference · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2006

OSTI ID:891591

Hendron, R; Eastment, M

In order to meet whole-house energy savings targets beyond 50% in residential buildings, it will be essential that new technologies and systems approaches be developed to address miscellaneous electric loads (MELs). These MELs are comprised of the small and diverse collection of energy-consuming devices found in homes, including what are commonly known as plug loads (televisions, stereos, microwaves), along with all hard-wired loads that do not fit into other major end-use categories (doorbells, security systems, garage door openers). MELs present special challenges because their purchase and operation are largely under the control of the occupants. If no steps are taken to address MELs, they can constitute 40-50% of the remaining source energy use in homes that achieve 60-70% whole-house energy savings, and this percentage is likely to increase in the future as home electronics become even more sophisticated and their use becomes more widespread. Building America (BA), a U.S. Department of Energy research program that targets 50% energy savings by 2015 and 90% savings by 2025, has begun to identify and develop advanced solutions that can reduce MELs.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 891591
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-550-39551
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
BUILDING AMERICA
Buildings
END-USE CATEGORY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY-CONSUMING APPLIANCES
MEL
MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRIC LOADS
OCCUPANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
TARGETS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
WHOLE-HOUSE ENERGY SAVINGS