Describes the development of an automated short-term test method – the measured performance rating (MPR) method – for evaluating building envelope retrofits and heating system improvements. The completely automated version can provide quick feedback. Results can be available the morning after a preceding night’s test, which is an obvious advantage over more long-term approaches. The test procedures were based on a protocol developed by Duffy and Saunders for estimating the heating season efficiency of detached residences and similar small buildings from thermal parameter inputs derived from several one-time tests on a test building. The procedure reported here primarily involves four tests – electric coheating, heating system efficiency, tracer gas dilution, and blower door leakage. A fifth test, the cool-down, is used when the inside temperature drifts more than 2 deg F during the coheat test cycle.
KEYWORDS: dwellings, performance, testing, heating season, computer programs, tracers, heating, detached buildings, dwellings.
Citation: Symposium, ASHRAE Trans. 1994, Vol.100, Part 1,
Product Details
- Published:
- 1994
- File Size:
- 1 file , 1.6 MB
- Product Code(s):
- D-18004
