The Energy Chronicle – Page 31 – Energy News from FSEC®, Florida's Premier Energy Research Center, at the University of Central Florida

In the Field with Neil: Calculating Dewpoint Temperature

Sherri Shields Continuing Education, In the Field with Neil October 13, 2014 0 Comment

By Neil Moyer
October 13, 2014

Cold Drink with Lime Slices — Condensation on my glass is OK, but not so much in my wall assembly.

Summer is nice and hot, and wet. We build enclosures to keep us at a comfortable 55 degree dewpoint temperature (typically 75F and 50%RH). Florida has an outside dewpoint temperature that is in the low 70s during the summer (and after a rain – shoots up to where the temperature and dewpoint temperature are nearly identical). It is all about the dewpoint – when do things start sweating. Buildings don’t sweat like people do, but they most certainly can have condensation problems. Consider that nice glass of ice tea sitting on the patio table – yep it is condensation on the exterior of that glass. (Dewpoint temperature is that special temperature when water in the vapor form turns into water in the liquid form. It is a relative humidity of 100%.) It is OK on my glass, but not so much in my wall assembly. That can lead to “green buildings”; the one that no one likes except maybe lawyers and building forensic guys. So understanding dewpoint temperature is important when we design and modify our buildings.

Tei Explains It: Quality Assurance Checklist

Sherri Shields Continuing Education, Tei Explains It October 13, 2014 0 Comment

By Tei Kucharski
October 13, 2014

Green check mark in white box with gray outline — Checklists are an essential tool when documenting for quality assurance.

Quality Assurance (QA) is not for the weak stomached any longer.

With all of the RESNET changes, and the changes that are on the horizon, QA has become one of the items that are priority at RESNET and with the builders that home energy raters are servicing. Documenting all of the homes with checklists and field review of both HERS Index Scored Homes and ENERGY STAR Homes is imperative.

When doing your final inspection, in addition to your blower door and duct testing, you should be checking the following and documenting with pictures:

Notice to Consumers, Contractors, and Building Officials

Sherri Shields Energy News October 13, 2014 3 Comments

October 13, 2014

The following notice does not apply to solar electric (photovoltaic – PV) systems that provide electrical power to air-conditioning systems.

Warning sign with cloud background — Consumer Warning!

Products currently being marketed in Florida as “Solar Air Conditioners” or “Solar Assisted Air Conditioners” using solar heating collectors have not been certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). These products feature a solar heating collector within a conventional air conditioning system. FSEC has not tested or validated the claim that the solar heating collectors enhance air-conditioning performance.

Consumers are advised to consult an income tax professional regarding any federal income tax credit claims. Qualified residential solar systems are defined in §25D(d) of Title 26 of the U.S. Code.

Tax Code Reference:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title26/pdf/USCODE-2011-title26-subtitleA-chap1-subchapA-partIV-subpartA-sec25D.pdf

FSEC Affordable Housing Partners Recognized for DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes

Sherri Shields Awards, Energy News, Press Release October 8, 2014DOE, Habitat for Humanity, HERS Index, homebuilders, Zero Energy Homes 0 Comment

By Danielle Daniel
October 8, 2014

The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Leading Builders awards are presented to builders who are changing the way homes are designed and constructed.

Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of South Sarasota County—affordable housing partners of the University of Central Florida’s FSEC—were the honored recipients of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home Leading Affordable Builders awards in September. A total of 28 industry leaders (including six affordable builders) were recognized at the 2014 Housing Innovation Award ceremony at EEBA’s Excellence in Building Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. DOE Housing Innovation Awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of contractors and builders to design and construct high performance, zero energy ready homes.

Energy efficiency, comfort, and durability are key components of DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes. To qualify for this certification, homes must meet stringent requirements in seven categories. To reduce energy consumption and resulting energy costs, these high performance homes must achieve a very low score on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. The closer the score is to zero, the less energy is needed to run the home.

FSEC Research Fuels Patents, Commercialization, and Wins R&D 100 Award

Sherri Shields Awards, Energy News, Press Release September 25, 2014hydrogen, patents, safety 0 Comment

By Sherri Shields
September 25, 2014

A hydrogen safety technology that was developed as a result of a partnership between the University of Central Florida’s FSEC® and NASA, and then commercialized by a university startup company, has been internationally recognized by the R&D 100 Awards program as one of the most technologically significant products to enter the marketplace last year.

When NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center needed an easy-to-use, safe, effective and non-powered solution to visually detect dangerous hydrogen leaks on and near the shuttle launch pad, they reached out to FSEC’s Dr. Ali Raissi and his team of researchers, Drs. Nazim Muradov, Gary Bokerman, Nahid Mohajeri, and R. Paul Brooker. Together, NASA KSC and FSEC—a research institute of the University of Central Florida—designed a one-of-a-kind, tape-like solution that selectively changes color in the presence of hydrogen gas. Since hydrogen gas is odorless and colorless, visual detection means that the leak source can now be quickly pinpointed for repair.

Photo of Nazim Muradov, Nahid Mohajeri, Gary Bokerman, Ali Raissi. — FSEC’s Advanced Energy Division researchers, left to right, Nazim Muradov, Nahid Mohajeri, Gary Bokerman, Ali Raissi. Not pictured: R. Paul Brooker.