Dehumidification/cooling walls, Charleston, SC
The Lee Porter Butler hollow masonry walls with adaptive design by Ekose's associate, Robert Ader, as constructed at Nr. 1 Tranquil Drive in Charleston, as tested during June, 1983, for their power to dehumidify, appear to lower the absolute humidity level in the house when outside temperatures hit near 100/sup 0/, but then the interior of the house exceeded the upper limits of comfort, which seem to fall at 80/sup 0/ DB and 74/sup 0/ WB or a relative humidity at 80/sup 0/ of 76%. Maximum interior temperature was 82/sup 0/, perhaps dreamy by the standards of 1883, but beyond what most people have become accustomed to in 1983. It is possible that design adaptations in the building and/or defoliation on the east and west sides of the building might improve this performance - whether sufficiently enough for comfort is dubious while the lack of cost effectiveness is certain. If, as through the use of standardized masonry units, hollow masonry walls could be made both cost effective and compatible with the ever increasing earthquake zone 3 code requirements for ties, they might come close to eliminating the need for mechanical cooling and dehumidification while maintaining reasonable comfort. Certainly they would lighten the need for mechanical tonnage. One 8700 Btu window unit cooled and dehumidified the entire house during the first half of July to 78 to 80/sup 0/ DB and 72/sup 0/ WB (operating cost estimated at 25 to $30 per month). A second unit was added upstairs at 8050 Btu which lowered the WB to a fairly constant 68/sup 0/ while maintaining 78/sup 0/ temperature throughout the entire 2000 sq. ft. interior. Operation costs were $50 per month, despite temperatures at record highs of 100+ degrees during both July and August, 1983.
- Research Organization:
- Exoo (George David), Charleston, SC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG44-80R410325
- OSTI ID:
- 6367356
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/R4/10325-T1; ON: DE85000310
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Technology Solutions Case Study: Improving Comfort in Hot-Humid Climates with a Whole-House Dehumidifier
Development of an Integrated Residential Heating, Ventilation, Cooling, and Dehumidification System for Residences
Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
DOUBLE ENVELOPE BUILDINGS
DEHUMIDIFICATION
PASSIVE SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
BLOWERS
SOUTH CAROLINA
BUILDINGS
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION IV
NORTH AMERICA
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
USA
320101* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)
140901 - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling