TY - JOUR
T1 - Development and validation of a simple estimating tool to predict heating and cooling energy demand for attics of residential buildings
AU - Asadi, Somayeh
AU - Hassan, Marwa
AU - Beheshti, Ali
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the Industry Ties Research Program with the Board of Regents, State of Louisiana (ITRS) and RoyOMartin Company for their funding and support of this research.
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - The application of attic radiant barriers as a residential building energy conservation tool has received considerable attention in recent years. Quantifying the benefits of radiant barrier is complicated because the energy savings provided by this system depend on various factors including local climate, geometry, and other building parameters. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a simple estimating tool that may be used by homeowners and designers to assess the effectiveness and economic benefits of radiant barrier under different climatic conditions in the US. The developed tool is based on transient three-dimensional finite element models that were validated based on the results of an experimental field study. The results of the finite element models were used to develop a set of regression equations to predict the thermal performances of radiant barriers under a wide range of operating conditions. Although the theoretical basis behind this tool is robust and accurate, the developed tool is simple, flexible, and user-friendly to encourage its use among practitioners and homeowners with minimal background about this system and heat transfer mechanisms. It is anticipated that the developed tool will facilitate the integration of energy efficiency in residential design and construction.
AB - The application of attic radiant barriers as a residential building energy conservation tool has received considerable attention in recent years. Quantifying the benefits of radiant barrier is complicated because the energy savings provided by this system depend on various factors including local climate, geometry, and other building parameters. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop a simple estimating tool that may be used by homeowners and designers to assess the effectiveness and economic benefits of radiant barrier under different climatic conditions in the US. The developed tool is based on transient three-dimensional finite element models that were validated based on the results of an experimental field study. The results of the finite element models were used to develop a set of regression equations to predict the thermal performances of radiant barriers under a wide range of operating conditions. Although the theoretical basis behind this tool is robust and accurate, the developed tool is simple, flexible, and user-friendly to encourage its use among practitioners and homeowners with minimal background about this system and heat transfer mechanisms. It is anticipated that the developed tool will facilitate the integration of energy efficiency in residential design and construction.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.07.037
DO - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.07.037
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84865463371
SN - 0378-7788
VL - 54
SP - 12
EP - 21
JO - Energy and Buildings
JF - Energy and Buildings
ER -