Measured energy savings and economics of retrofitting existing single-family homes: An update of the BECA-B database

Estimating Energy and Cost Savings and Emissions Reductions for the State Energy Program Based on Enumeration Indicators Data

“…These savings estimates were for actions that could be taken by the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), at costs ranging from $1100 to over $2700 per house, depending on the region. From Cohen et al (1991), the average extent of residential retrofit expenses per home is $750.73 in 2000 prices. We used this nationwide average retrofit cost to reduce proportionally the projected energy savings per house in the WAP weatherizations reported in Schweitzer and Eisenberg.…”

House Characteristics and the Effectiveness of Energy Conservation Measures

“…388 APA JOURNAL.SUMMER 1995 More efficient air conditioners and heat pumps (SEERS of about 10 to ll), replacing older, less efficient models of the same "tonnage" (cooling capacity). (For a review of the effect of more efficient air conditioners, see Meier et al (1983)) and Cohen et al (1991)) which describes a study in Austin, Texas.) More efficient evaporative cooler motors, replacing old motors of lower efficiency Pre-coolers, which evaporatively cool air before it is drawn across the coils of an air conditioner or heat Pump Shade trees planted to shade sunstruck sides of the houses; to obtain immediate energy savings, large trees, requiring at least a 61 centimeter (24 inch) box, were selected.…”

“…Ceiling (attic) insulation sufficient to bring the existing insulation up to R35, installed in houses with low levels of insulation. (For a review of the effect of insulation, see Meier et al (1983) and Cohen et al (1991).) Double-pane windows-typically, interior "storm windows" installed in new tracks inside the existing single-pane windows.…”

“…Building styles have not been constrained by local natural processes, but instead have evolved independently of them, in part because of cheap energy. Now, concerned about wasted energy, many communities are engaged in residential energy conservation programs for existing houses, fixing up houses that are poorly designed or maintained for their climate (Cohen, Goldman, and Harris 1991;Schweitzer, Hirst, and Hill 1991;Brown et al 1993). The programs are conducted by agencies that serve low-income groups and by utilities, municipalities, and energy service companies.…”

The potential for electricity efficiency improvements in the US Residential Sector

“…Unfortunately, there was insufficient data to model space conditioning energy savings from shell measures in these buildings. Some measured data on energy savings from retrofits of fuel-heated multifamily buildings were available (Cohen et al 1991, Goldman et al 1988), but data on electrically heated buildings are largely confined to the Northwestern U.S. (in a climate quite different than that of the U.S. average).…”