Dual Fuel Heat Pump Controls
The project impact has been to raise awareness of the potential for more optimized control systems for residential dual fuel heating systems that can achieve improved performance in terms of emissions reductions, energy savings, and grid management. We have already seen Mitsubishi HVAC (a member of the project Advisory Group) bring to market their Intelli-Heat system which is designed specifically for residential dual fuel conversions from furnace-only heating. This system provides for controls which offer functionality that is similar conceptually to the project-developed rule set. Additionally, similar add-on heat pump systems designed for retrofits are now also available from Samsung and Bosch. This demonstrates the value of this project in building momentum for this innovation.
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We have also noted that dual fuel systems are permitted in the ENERGY STAR Next Gen certification program that focuses on high performance electric technologies. Current DOE/NREL modeling analyses of dual fuel systems are also carefully evaluating the control methodology because this can potentially have a powerful impact on energy performance, costs, and GHG emissions.
This project is being undertaken with funding support from the Department of Energy and with technical support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
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Code Treatment of A2L Refrigerants
Worldwide efforts to combat climate change have included a push to attempt to reduce the impact that refrigerants have on global warming. In an effort to shift away from widely used refrigerants that have a major global warming impact, the refrigeration industry has found that most alternative refrigerants are flammable. Some refrigeration end uses, such as small appliances with limited refrigerant charge have already transitioned to use flammable refrigerants. However, most flammable refrigerants are too flammable to be used in systems with larger capacities. One group of refrigerants that could act as a replacement is a newly classified A2L refrigerant group, which is described as “mildly flammable.” While several countries have already transitioned to using these mildly flammable refrigerants, several major obstacles remain in place for the transition to happen in the U.S.
How to Make Affordable Green Buildings?
The benefits of green building may be difficult to quantify, but the benefits of reduced energy costs are easy. Everyone wants to save money on energy, especially the low- and moderate-income families who pay a disproportionate percentage of their income.
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Newport Ventures, on behalf of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), assessed the market for newly constructed and affordable green residential buildings by looking at the merits of six green building programs. These included the US Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Homes, Enterprise Green Communities, and Built Green.
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Among the findings:
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Costs and benefits vary.
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Some measures involve minimal costs, others require substantial investment.
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Outcomes always reduce energy demand.
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Newport’s analysis helped NYSERDA understand where research matters, what measures save families the most, and how programs are best implemented.
LED Lighting: A bright idea!
LED lighting technology, which includes organic LEDs (OLEDs), are the present and the future of energy efficient residential lighting. To showcase the benefits of this technology, Newport teamed up with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to outfit five homes throughout New York State with 100% LED lighting and monitor them for energy and cost savings, as well understand homeowner satisfaction.
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LEDs and OLEDs, referred to as solid-state lighting technology, help save energy and the environment. Advances in technology increased light quality, output, controllability, and efficiency. Expanded product lines give consumers and designers plenty of options for any home. Most important, the cost of LEDs are way down.
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Check out our findings from our LED Lighting Demonstration and learn more.
