Paper Conference

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2006: 2nd conference of IBPSA-USA

     

An Analysis of Building Envelope Upgrades for Residential Energy Efficiency in Hot and Humid Climates

Mini Malhotra, Jeff Haberl
Department of Architecture, Energy Systems Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the analyses of various envelope upgrades for residential energyefficiency in hot and humid climates. The building components considered for the upgrades include: building shape, construction type, roof and exterior walls, and windows. A DOE-2 simulation model of a 2000/2001 IECC code-compliant house in Houston, Texas, was used for the analysis. The results demonstrated the effect of incremental changes in these properties on the building's energy use, and showed that combining potential envelope upgrades can accomplish a 55% cooling energy use reduction, a 100% heating energy use reduction, and a 16% total energy use reduction for code-compliant houses in hot and humid climates.
Pages: 200 - 209
Paper:
simbuild2006_SB06_200_209