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Small Changes Yield Large Results at NIST's Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility
A Hunter Fanney1, William Healy1, Vance Payne1
1Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
|March 28, 2018
Summary
The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF) achieved a higher energy surplus in its second year by optimizing operational changes. These improvements enhanced the home's energy efficiency beyond initial expectations.
Area of Science:
- Building Science
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Residential Energy Efficiency
Background:
- The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF) was constructed to exceed 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards by 60%.
- Advanced building envelope techniques, including superior insulation and a continuous air/moisture barrier, were employed to minimize thermal transfer.
- The facility integrates multiple renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies for comprehensive performance monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the energy performance of the NZERTF over two years of operation.
- To assess the impact of operational adjustments on the facility's energy balance.
- To quantify the influence of weather variations and implemented changes on energy consumption and production.
Main Methods:
- Detailed monitoring of energy consumption and production from integrated systems.
- Comparative analysis of performance data between the first and second years of operation.
- Implementation of specific control logic changes, including thermostat settings, dehumidification strategies, and ventilation rate adjustments.
Main Results:
- The NZERTF generated an energy surplus of 1023 kWh in its first year.
- Following operational modifications, the energy surplus increased to 2241 kWh in the second year.
- The study identified specific changes that significantly improved the net energy performance.
Conclusions:
- Operational optimizations, including refined thermostat control, alternative dehumidification methods, and adjusted ventilation rates, demonstrably enhanced net energy production.
- The NZERTF successfully achieved and surpassed its net-zero energy goals, showing significant potential for energy-efficient residential design.
- The findings provide valuable insights for improving the performance of net-zero energy homes through strategic operational adjustments.