Central Valley Research Home Program

Central Valley Research Home Program

This project involves an examination of existing residential homes of 1970s and 1990s; 2 of each vintage in the Stockton area - Central Valley of California to determine how well simulation software used in the HERS rating program predicts heating and cooling energy use (HERs ratings) in comparison with measured performance data collected after a year of operation. A variety of retrofits will then be incorporated at these homes which include alternative HVAC systems and system configurations, newer fenestration systems and cool roof. HERs rating system procedures and software will be used a second time to predict the heating and cooling energy savings that these retrofits are expected to achieve. The HERs rating estimates will then be compared with measured performance data annually over a three year period as specific retrofits are completed. The comparison of HERs ratings with measured performance data will serve as the basis for upgrading HERs procedures and software to improve the program's accuracy in predicting baseline energy use for existing homes and the savings expected from retrofits intended to reduce heating and cooling energy use. Life-cycle costs and rankings of these different retrofit approaches will also be calculated. Algorithms proposed for improving HERs compliance software will also apply to alternative compliance methods calculations as part of prescriptive, performance and reach standards considered for the 2016 version of California's building energy code.