Actions for Practical Diagnostics for Evaluating Residential Commissioning Metrics [electronic resource].

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Practical Diagnostics for Evaluating Residential Commissioning Metrics [electronic resource].

Published
Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 2002.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description
130 pages : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, United States. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary
In this report, we identify and describe 24 practical diagnostics that are ready now to evaluate residential commissioning metrics, and that we expect to include in the commissioning guide. Our discussion in the main body of this report is limited to existing diagnostics in areas of particular concern with significant interactions: envelope and HVAC systems. These areas include insulation quality, windows, airtightness, envelope moisture, fan and duct system airflows, duct leakage, cooling equipment charge, and combustion appliance backdrafting with spillage. Appendix C describes the 83 other diagnostics that we have examined in the course of this project, but that are not ready or are inappropriate for residential commissioning. Combined with Appendix B, Table 1 in the main body of the report summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of all 107 diagnostics. We first describe what residential commissioning is, its characteristic elements, and how one might structure its process. Our intent in this discussion is to formulate and clarify these issues, but is largely preliminary because such a practice does not yet exist. Subsequent sections of the report describe metrics one can use in residential commissioning, along with the consolidated set of 24 practical diagnostics that the building industry can use now to evaluate them. Where possible, we also discuss the accuracy and usability of diagnostics, based on recent laboratory work and field studies by LBNL staff and others in more than 100 houses. These studies concentrate on evaluating diagnostics in the following four areas: the DeltaQ duct leakage test, air-handler airflow tests, supply and return grille airflow tests, and refrigerant charge tests. Appendix A describes those efforts in detail. In addition, where possible, we identify the costs to purchase diagnostic equipment and the amount of time required to conduct the diagnostics. Table 1 summarizes these data. Individual equipment costs for the 24 practical diagnostics range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. The higher costs are associated with infrared thermography and state-of-the-art automated diagnostic systems. Most tests can be performed in one hour or less, using equipment priced toward the lower end of the cost spectrum.
Report Numbers
E 1.99:lbnl--45959
lbnl--45959
Subject(s)
Other Subject(s)
Note
Published through SciTech Connect.
06/11/2002.
"lbnl--45959"
"B& R EC0903000"
Sherman, Max; Walker, Iain; Wray, Craig; Siegel, Jeff.
Type of Report and Period Covered Note
Final; 06/11/2002 - 06/11/2002
Funding Information
AC03-76SF00098
474402
View MARC record | catkey: 14074083