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Autumn 2013

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   for Improved Residential    Construction
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Eric Martin
Eric Martin was nominated to the
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
(IREC) Board of Directors.
greenbuild
Attend GreenBuild in Philadelphia
and visit FSEC at booth #1726.
Salishan Duplex
Washington State University
provided technical assistance to
Tacoma Housing Authority.
Condensation
Wintertime condensation was observed
during periods of low air exchange.
Experiments examined the performance
of 2-ton and 3-ton fixed- and variable-
capacity systems and the impacts
of system oversizing.
Fur-up Chases
Fur-up chases, like all chases, require attention to different details than a
"standard" build.
Forced air distribution systems
Forced air distribution systems (duct systems) typically are installed out of sight for aesthetic reasons, most often in unconditioned areas such as an attic or crawlspace.
Weatherization training
FSEC is offering two new weatherization courses from the WAPTAC Standardized curricula and based on two NREL / U.S. DOE Job Task Analyses. Register today!
Current Sponsors -
Funding Buildings Research Projects of $50k or more
-Atlantic Housing Partners
-Florida Energy Office
-Florida Natural Gas Association
-Florida Power & Light Co.
-NETL
-NREL
-PNNL
-Southern Company
-Syracuse University
-USDOE Building America
-USDOE Energy Codes
-USDOE Software Tools
-USDOE State Energy Program
-USDOE Weatherization Program
Training
Course Spotlight: RESNET Combustion Safety Class 
This is a three-day course (two days of instruction, testing on the third day, which includes practical simulation). The class will cover the RESNET protocols, how to perform the testing, hands-on practice, a walk-through of the simulation tool, and a field trip to a house with combustion appliances.
Register
FSEC Staff Nominated to the IREC Board of Directors
FSEC’s Eric Martin, program director for the Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction (BA-PIRC), was appointed to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Board of Directors for a two-year term. IREC is a non-profit organization accelerating the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency since 1982.  IREC works to expand consumer access to clean energy; generates information and objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads programs to build a quality, clean energy workforce.
About IREC
FSEC Exibits at GreenBuild 2013 on November 20-22nd
Make sure to stop by FSEC's booth #1726 at GreenBuild's exhibit hall this year held in Philadelphia, PA. As an exhibitor, FSEC will showcase the latest EnergyGauge software.
Register for GreenBuild
Manatee County Habitat Wins Award
FSEC partner Manatee County Habitat for Humanity (HFH) recently completed a home certified under the DOE Challenge Home program. The affiliate received a Challenge Home Builder Award at the DOE Housing Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with the Solar Decathlon in Irvine, CA. 
FSEC Researchers Seek Partners in Remodeling Industry
FSEC researchers have distilled a set of practical, off-the-shelf best practices for renovations in typical Florida homes that cost-effectively produce about 30% improvement in whole house efficiency (HERS Index) when fully implemented. The best practices are based on a four-year study involving 10 affordable housing entities that completed 70 comprehensive renovations, in addition to a 2012 pilot program. FSEC researchers invite the remodeling, renovation, and affordable housing sectors to take the Retrofit Challenge by adopting a set of best practices as master specifications in 2014. Master specifications create a standard treatment across multiple projects and reduce time needed to write scopes of work. Measures include moderately higher performance specifications at equipment replacement (HVAC, appliances, water heating, etc), efficiency enhancements (e.g. ceiling insulation), and building science measures that address combustion safety, durability, and moisture management.
Contact Janet McIlvaine | Review the Standards
Training
Evaluation of Savings in Energy-Efficient Public Housing in the Pacific Northwest
Washington State University, a BA-PIRC research partner, presents the results of an energy performance and cost-effectiveness analysis. The Salishan phase 7 and demonstration homes, each with differing sets of high performance features, were compared to earlier homes built to 2006 Washington State energy code specifications.
Publication
Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Heating Season Energy and Moisture Levels
Experiments were conducted in two identical laboratory homes to evaluate how infiltration and ventilation affect space conditioning energy use and comfort. The lab homes are designed to represent existing Florida housing stock.
Publication
Energy and Economic Optimization to Achieve Near Zero Energy Homes in Europe: Implications of Inclusion of Lighting and Appliances
This paper analyzes the optimum mix of conservation measures and solar PV to reach net zero energy in existing houses in 31 different climates across Europe.  The results show sensitivity to the inclusion of lighting and appliances in the mix of the efficiency measures to achieve effective electricity reduction for Zero Energy Homes in Europe.
Publication
Impacts of “Right Sizing” of Fixed Capacity and Variable Capacity Heat Pumps with Attic and Indoor Ductwork
This research examines the performance of 2-ton and 3-ton fixed- and variable-capacity systems and the impacts of system oversizing.
Case Study
Raised Ceiling Interior Duct System
One of BA-PIRC’s longtime Habitat for Humanity partners, S.E. Volusia CO (SEVHFH), recently completed a home to the new Challenge Home standards. Unwilling to incur the added costs of a foam roof deck or wall heights above 8 feet to accommodate a fur-down chase, SEVHFH opted to build a fur-up or raised ceiling chase.
Case Study
Ducts Inside Conditioned Space - Fur Down Approach
This case study examines one Building America’s Builder Partner’s implementation of an inexpensive, quick and effective method of building a fur-down or dropped ceiling chase.
Case Study
Training
2014 Continuing Education Dates Now Online!
FSEC offers a wide range of courses covering renewable energy and building energy technology topics. Most include both classroom instruction and hands-on field experience. Some courses offer CEU credits and are approved for Florida professional license renewals.
FSEC Courses
New 2014 Weatherization Courses
Weatherization Energy Auditor Single Family
This two-week lecture-lab provides the student with an in-depth understanding of the auditing process and treating the house as a system. This course is based on the WAPTAC Standardized curricula and the NREL / U.S. DOE Job Task Analysis.
Register
Weatherization Quality Control Inspector
In this 5-day lecture-lab course, students will be introduced to and practice the skills needed to become an effective QCI. This course is based on the WAPTAC Standardized curricula and the NREL / U.S. DOE Job Task Analysis.
Register
FSEC

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