Award Number: DE-EE0008184CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1Building Technologies OfficeLocation(s): MDOffice(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
August 14, 2017
Estimated Read Time min
Advanced HVAC Equipment Design Strategies for Optimal Efficiency & Humidity Control
Award Number: DE-EE0008184
CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1
Building Technologies Office
Location(s): MD
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Home Innovation Research Labs, Inc. (HIRL) to develop and demonstrate an integrated humidity and ventilation control solution that improves indoor air quality, comfort, and energy performance for low-load homes in hot-humid and mixed-humid climates. Office activities and analytical work would occur at HIRL’s facility in Marlboro, MD.
The proposed project activities include design and development of HVAC equipment with enhanced dehumidification functions for its equipment and controls. Two model demonstration homes would be equipped and instrumented with the prototype HVAC design at the Daikin Texas Technology Park in Houston, TX. The system would be monitored, evaluated and updated/adjusted as necessary. A general set of design recommendations would be developed and four occupied field demonstration homes (locations to be determined but each would be new homes being constructed separate from this DOE project) would be enrolled into the study for evaluation of the updated HVAC design. Additionally, a draft rating protocol would be developed. The only physical modification to any home involved in the project would be for the installation and servicing of conventional residential HVAC equipment. No other physical modifications or ground disturbing activities would be required and no change in the use of the home would result from project activities. Residential mechanical permits would be obtained prior to initiating installation of the systems. Equipment would be installed and serviced by licensed and trained professional technicians in accordance with all federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations and in accordance with manufacturer instructions. None of the field demonstration homes selected for field testing would be either historic or eligible for listing as historic on the National Register of Historic Places, therefore there would be no impacts to historic properties as a result of project activities. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed activities of the project.