"Ben Schoenbauer, Pat Huelman and others in Minnesota have tested the retrofitted performance of a number of these systems, including a variety of models. This report would be worth checking out. Good…"
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Brennan Less
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Brennan Less's Discussions
Trends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight
4 Replies
Can anyone comment on the common types of heating and cooling systems installed in their region in high performance homes? More and more, I see designers and builders turning away from forced air…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by William H Nickerson Jul 1, 2012.
Brennan Less's Page
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Brennan Less replied to Craig Bird's discussion Sources for duct insulation savings"Here's an LBNL research report by Iain Walker, who tested 24 retrofitted duct systems in the Central Valley of CA. Retrofits increased delivery efficiency by 64-76%, and reduced HVAC system energy by 18%, on average. This is going…"
Brennan Less replied to Steve Waclo's discussion Ceiling/attic temperature differentials in the group EnergySoft Energy Pro"Most residential compliance software will not allow you to make adjustments for stratification (in fact, I know of none...). Much more troublesome software does allow such customization by the user at significantly more effort and probably not…"
Brennan Less joined Sean Feurtado's group
EnergySoft Energy Pro
Hello this group is dedicated to discussing modeling approaches using EnergySoft Energy Pro. You can post building modeling issues, calculation methods, performance optimization, and systems improvements. This program is widely used in California. See More
Brennan Less replied to Jack Baikoff's discussion Measuring fresh air intake ducted to a return and no way of measuring from outside."I would not recommend using a pitot tube, as the accuracy of your flow measurement will depend upon the average velocity pressure across the flow field of the duct, which may or may not be symmetrical. Either way, a pitot tube traverse will…"
William H Nickerson replied to Brennan Less's discussion Trends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight"You know I thought one day I would get a chance to share this story. A while back I worked for a buddy of mine on a big job for him putting in wall paper on a really nice 9 K sq. ft. home. The owner was very nice and obviously had retired well. He…"
Mauro Small, P.E., LEED AP replied to Brennan Less's discussion Trends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight"In California geothermal heat pump systems and air handlers with evaporative cooling. In some instances, you can do with evaporative cooling alone without requiring mechanical cooling. If you are in northern California,…"
Rebecca Olson replied to Brennan Less's discussion Trends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight"Brennan,
Combi-systems for forced air is what we have been exploring in MN. It is a compelling alternative to a separate furnace and water heater especially when the loads are low because you can add the heating load with the water heating…"
Bob Blanchette replied to Brennan Less's discussion Trends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight"Mini-splits are excellent for homes with open floor plans. If a home has a lot of smaller rooms mini-splits don't do so well. Getting contractors to believe you can cool a 2,000 sq ft house with a 2ton central A/C unit can be a challenge."
Brennan Less's discussion was featuredTrends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight
Can anyone comment on the common types of heating and cooling systems installed in their region in high performance homes? More and more, I see designers and builders turning away from forced air and towards radiant hydronic or point-source systems (like mini-splits). Reasons include mismatch between load and size of forced air furnaces, zoning control, lower pumping energy, distribution system takes up less space, better integration with solar thermal, etc. Granted my scope is mostly…See More
Brennan Less posted a discussionTrends in space conditioning systems in high performance homes, looking for your insight
Can anyone comment on the common types of heating and cooling systems installed in their region in high performance homes? More and more, I see designers and builders turning away from forced air and towards radiant hydronic or point-source systems (like mini-splits). Reasons include mismatch between load and size of forced air furnaces, zoning control, lower pumping energy, distribution system takes up less space, better integration with solar thermal, etc. Granted my scope is mostly…See More
Brennan Less replied to Eric Timon's discussion BPI to Adopt ASHRAE Standard 62.2010?"Pat, you will almost never need a 100 cfm continuous fan to meet 62.2, unless the home is very large (>3,500 ft2). Whole house mechanical ventilation rates are on the order of 0.17 ACH, which is usually in the 35-60 cfm range. Much…"
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- LBNL
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- Building science research. Deep energy savings in existing homes. Performance monitoring. Ventilation and indoor air quality.
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- @brennanless
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 6:55pm on September 11, 2011,
Diane Chojnowski said… Hi Brennan,
Welcome to Home Energy Pros! Feel free to join the conversation in the Forum and Groups. And share your energy efficiency photos, videos and upcoming events. If you're blogging about home performance, this is the place for you!
Don't forget to upload your profile photo. And add your location on our Member Map!
Thanks!
Diane, HEP Moderator
Home Energy Pros
Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.
Latest Activity
Craig Savage commented on Craig Savage's video
What is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Hello Tom
Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but a serious answer would be that GE is selling…"
Tom Delconte commented on Craig Savage's videoWhat is a Heat Pump Water Heater
"Craig: do you have a diagram of one that will run longer than one year? They don't really seem…"
Cory Chovanec replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"All good points brought up. My advice is not to leave the lights. When you said halogen I think…"
Jon Haehnel replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??"The first 2 answers by Tom and Sean jive with my thinking and experience. Thank you Don for…"
Tom Smith replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories"The most bang for your buck will come from airsealing the attic plane and sealing the…"
John Rising replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans"Hi Bachi,
We have done many projects where we have installed boxes around recessed lights to…"
Isaac Savage's event was featured
Duct Testing Training & Certification ONLINE - 2009/2012 IECC Code Compliance at Online
February 11, 2013 to February 11, 2014
Craig Savage's video was featuredWhat is a Heat Pump Water Heater
A simple animation describing how a heat pump water heater works
Nick Helmholdt replied to Joshua Knittel's discussion Google Thermal View? in the group INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY USERS"Any bets on how long it will take this company to land in court?
A local energy efficiency group in…"
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