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Title: Evaluating Moisture Control of Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps in Mechanically Ventilated, Low-Load Homes in Climate Zone 2A

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1421385· OSTI ID:1421385
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States). Florida Solar Energy Center

The well-sealed, highly insulated building enclosures constructed by today's home building industry coupled with efficient lighting and appliances are achieving significantly reduced heating and cooling loads. These low-load homes can present a challenge when selecting appropriate space-conditioning equipment. Conventional, fixed-capacity heating and cooling equipment is often oversized for small homes, causing increased first costs and operating costs. Even if fixed-capacity equipment can be properly specified for peak loads, it remains oversized for use during much of the year. During these part-load cooling hours, oversized equipment meets the target dry-bulb temperatures very quickly, often without sufficient opportunity for moisture control. The problem becomes more acute for high-performance houses in humid climates when meeting ASHRAE Standard 62.2 recommendations for wholehouse mechanical ventilation.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States). Florida Solar Energy Center
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
Contributing Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
DOE Contract Number:
EE0007056
OSTI ID:
1421385
Report Number(s):
DOE/EE-1702
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English