Low-Rise Residential Alternative Calculation Method Approval Manual

摘要

This manual explains the requirements for approval of residential Alternative211u001eCalculation Methods (ACMs). Residential ACMs are used to demonstrate compliance 211u001ewith the performance approach to the efficiency standards for Low-Rise 211u001eResidential Buildings as defined in the building energy efficiency standards of 211u001ethe State Building Code. The approval procedure is one of self-testing and self-211u001ecertification by the vendor of an ACM. The vendor conducts the specified tests, 211u001eevaluates the results and certifies in writing that the ACM passes the tests. The 211u001eCalifornia Energy Commission (Commission) will perform spot checks and may 211u001erequire additional tests to verify that the proposed ACM is suitable for 211u001ecompliance purposes. The vendor is required to develop a compliance supplement 211u001e(program user manual) explaining how to use the program for showing compliance 211u001ewith the standards. The compliance supplement will also be checked by the 211u001eCommission for accuracy and ease of use. When energy analysis techniques are 211u001ecompared, there may be two basic sources of discrepancies: differences in user 211u001einterpretation when entering the building specifications, and differences in the 211u001eACM's algorithms for estimating energy use. The approval tests in this manual are 211u001edesigned to minimize differences in interpretation by providing explicit detailed 211u001edescriptions of the test buildings that must be analyzed. This Manual is written 211u001eas if all ACMs are computer programs. While this is generally true, there is 211u001enothing to prohibit other kinds of energy analysis methods from seeking ACM 211u001eapproval. The basic requirements for accuracy and reliability still apply.