[Bldg-sim] Balance point temperature for houses

[Vikram Sami]

I have been working on developing an analysis tool that extends the
building passive envelope season based on a dynamic balance point
analysis (see attached)



Vikram Sami, LEED AP
Direct Phone 404-253-1466 | Direct Fax 404-253-1366

LORD, AECK & SARGENT ARCHITECTURE
1201 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30361
Responsive Design * Technological Expertise * Exceptional Service
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-----Original Message-----
From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Chris
Balbach
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 11:27 AM
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Bldg-sim] Balance point temperature for houses

Dr. Abaza :

The TREAT (Targeted Residential Energy Analysis Tool) whole building
energy simulation software package can determine a building's balance
point (both heating and cooling) given the building description. One can
construct a 'simple' model of a typical house in about 15 minutes, and
TMY2 weather files for all 50 states are included for driving the model.
It would be pretty simple to make some parametric runs varying both
climate and envelope /infiltration to produce a range of balance point
temps. We have found both insulation levels and air infiltration
(tightness of the envelope) often have the greatest effect on the
balance point of a given structure, along with the temperature setpoints
used for heating and cooling. Significant internal gains, of course, can
also drive the balance points.

A 30 day fully functional version (free download) of the TREAT software
is available from http://www.treatsoftware.com

Best,

_Chris

Chris Balbach, PE, CEM
Vice President of Research and Development
124 Brindley Street, Suite 4, Ithaca, NY 14850
ph: (607)-327-1647
http://www.psdconsulting.com
http://www.treatsoftware.com

Michael Blasnik wrote:
> In my experience from analyzing utility usage data with a floating 
> balance point, the typical effective heating balance point in US homes

> will usually be in the range of 54F - 62F (for true heating climates).

> Newer homes are usually closer to the low end of the scale while older

> homes are on the higher end. Electrically heated homes tend to be on 
> the lower end but it's not clear how much of that difference is the 
> effects of vintage/thermal integrity vs. lower thermostat set points 
> or zoning.
>
> There may be some published results in ACEEE summer study proceedings,

> but I can't recall any specific reference.
>
> Michael Blasnik
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Abaza Hussein" <ahussein at spsu.edu>
> To: <equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>;
> <bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:52 PM
> Subject: [Bldg-sim] Balance point temperature for houses
>
>
>> Could you please help. Is there any recent data or survey about the 
>> balance point temperature of homes in the US. Is the 65F still 
>> applicable?
>> I appreciate any input.
>> Dr. H. Abaza
>> ECU
>
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