Keywords

Abstract

An optimization method based on the evaluation of a broad range of different combinations of specific energy efficiency and renewable-energy options is used to determine the least-cost pathway to the development of new homes with zero peak cooling demand. The optimization approach conducts a sequential search of a large number of possible option combinations and uses the most cost-effective alternatives to generate a least-cost curve to achieve home-performance levels ranging from a Title 24-compliant home to a home that uses zero net source-energy on an annual basis. By evaluating peak cooling load reductions on the least-cost curve, it is then possible to determine the most cost-effective combination of energy efficiency and renewable-energy options that both maximize annual energy savings and minimize peak-cooling demand.

Paper

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Panels of the 2006 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Panel 1. Residential Buildings: Technologies, Design, Performance Analysis, and Building Industry Trends

Panel 2. Residential Buildings: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

Panel 3. Commercial Buildings: Technologies, Design, Performance Analysis, and Building Industry Trends

Panel 4. Commercial Buildings: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

Panel 5. Utility Regulation and Competition: Incentives, Strategies, and Policies

Panel 6. Market Transformation: Designing for Lasting Change

Panel 7. Human and Social Dimensions of Energy Use: Trends and Their Implications

Panel 8. Changing the Climate for Energy Efficiency: Local, National, and International Policy Dimensions

Panel 9. Appliances, Lighting, Information Technologies, Consumer Electronics, and Miscellaneous End Uses

Panel 10. Roundtables and Interactive Sessions: Learning by Doing

Panel 11. Efficient Communities

Panel 12. Energy Conversations