Performance and Selection Criteria for Mechanical Energy Saving Retrofit Options for Single-Family Residences

摘要

Under the Weatherization Assistance Program the U. S. Department of Energy (DoE) provides funds for energy-conserving building improvements in homes of low-income persons. In proposing to modify the program to also provide funds for energy-conserving mechanical options, DoE requested that the National Bureau of Standards investigate energy-conserving mechanical options that may be suitable for inclusion in the Weatherization Assistance Program. This report estimates energy savings, and provides performance and selection criteria, standards, and installed costs for mechanical equipment options for single-family homes; all from prior studies reported in the literature. Performance and selection criteria are presented as advantages, disadvantages and limitations for each option. Four broad categories of energy-saving mechanical options were investigated: space heating, water heating retrofit options, heat pump water heaters, and recovery of central air conditioner waste heat by desuperheaters. Gas- and oil-fueled forced-air furnaces and hydronic (hot water) space-heating equipment were treated in this report.