A recently developed 3-dimensional earth contact simulation program that operates as a subroutine of the EnergyPlus whole building energy simulation program was used to evaluate the energy performance and cost-effecti...A recently developed 3-dimensional earth contact simulation program that operates as a subroutine of the EnergyPlus whole building energy simulation program was used to evaluate the energy performance and cost-effectiveness of retrofit slab-on-grade(SOG)foundation insulation.An optimized retrofit insulation design utiliz-ing hydro-vacuum excavation was developed that generated 8.4%larger metered(or site)energy savings at a$428 lower cost than the IECC 2012 requirement in a Minneapolis,MN climate for a 400 ft2 test building.The energy performance and cost effectiveness of single and multi-family buildings was assessed for climate Zones 4–7.With reference to the Building America B10 benchmark,the highest site energy savings of 5%was realized for a single family home in Duluth,MN,and the lowest savings of 1.4%for a 4-unit townhouse in Richmond,VA.SOG foundation insulation retrofit simple paybacks ranged from 18 to 47 years.Thus it is likely that larger energy savings of 10%or more with concomitantly reduced simple paybacks can only be realized in well-insulated buildings.展开更多
文摘A recently developed 3-dimensional earth contact simulation program that operates as a subroutine of the EnergyPlus whole building energy simulation program was used to evaluate the energy performance and cost-effectiveness of retrofit slab-on-grade(SOG)foundation insulation.An optimized retrofit insulation design utiliz-ing hydro-vacuum excavation was developed that generated 8.4%larger metered(or site)energy savings at a$428 lower cost than the IECC 2012 requirement in a Minneapolis,MN climate for a 400 ft2 test building.The energy performance and cost effectiveness of single and multi-family buildings was assessed for climate Zones 4–7.With reference to the Building America B10 benchmark,the highest site energy savings of 5%was realized for a single family home in Duluth,MN,and the lowest savings of 1.4%for a 4-unit townhouse in Richmond,VA.SOG foundation insulation retrofit simple paybacks ranged from 18 to 47 years.Thus it is likely that larger energy savings of 10%or more with concomitantly reduced simple paybacks can only be realized in well-insulated buildings.