Economics and Energy Conservation in the Design of New Single-Family Housing

摘要

This report investigates the extent to which certain energy conservatin modifications to the envelope design of a new, single-family house are economically justified for a wide range of climates and projected energy costs. The report provides background information on those factors that give rise to space heating and cooling loads in buildings and examines in greater detail than in previous reports the thermal interdependencies within and among envelope components that can greatly affect heating and cooling loads. Economic criteria for determining a minimum life-cycle cost building envelope design are formulated and a priority-ranking method is developed to assist in the calculation of these designs.