- Author
- Barnett, J. P.
- Title
- Energy Analysis of a Prototype Single-Family Detached Residence: The Effects of Climate, House Size, Orientation, Internal Heat Release, and Natural Cooling.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBSIR 80-2184, January 1981, 45 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- building design | building energy performance standards | computer simulation | degree days | single-family detached residence | energy analysis | climate | floor area | orientation | internal heat gains | natural cooling
- Abstract
- A computer study was done to determine how the annual heating and cooling requirements of a prototypical ranch style house are affected by changes in four energy use parameters: climate (13 locations), floor area (nominal 800 ft2, 1200 ft2 and 1800 ft2), orientation (north, south, and east/west), and internal heat generation (two different levels in the 1200 ft2 house). In addition, the effects of natural cooling on the annual cooling requirement were investigated. The results are quantified such that the effects attributable to each variation are easily identified. Also, the heating and cooling requirements of the various sized houses are correlated to degree days. Some of the more important findings regarding the prototypical house (as simulated in this study) are: (a) annual cooling requirements/unit area decreased with increasing floor area, while (b) annual heating requirements/unit area remained relatively constant regardless of floor area; (c) rotation of a house (with windows on only two facades) significantly affected the annual energy requirements (approximate range 20-50 percent); (d) house internal heat generation significantly affected the annual energy requirements (approximate range 10-50 percent); and (e) annual cooling requirements were significantly reduced (by as much as 48 percent) by the use of natural cooling.