Cimarron Homes Energy Efficiency Pilot

The Cimarron Homes Energy Efficiency Pilot is an ambitious study designed to test the real-time energy efficiency performance of homes. Specifically, the energy efficiency ratio of HVAC systems will be continuously measured under real-world conditions, and the extent to which different variables contribute to the overall energy efficiency of each home will be determined.

Pilot Objectives:

• Measure and verify energy efficiency performance of structures and HVAC systems
• Determine how to cost optimize construction of a home for energy efficiency
• Calculate energy efficiency performance of HVAC systems as a function of age
• Evaluate the impact on energy efficiency of the Energy Star and Green Build certifications
• Quantify achievable peak demand reduction per home and per neighborhood
• Determine ROI to homeowners for specific home improvements on a per-home basis

Location:

Durham and Mebane, North Carolina (Climate Zone 4)
Electric Utility: Duke Energy

Participants:

Over 100 new and existing homes, all constructed since 2000 by the same home builder, with homes built after 2005 complying with Energy Star standards or better. Most of the homes in the study will be all-electric including heat pumps and water heaters.

Measurement:

All homes will be equipped with Truveon's TruEnergy system, enabling real-time monitoring of the actual energy efficiency ratio of the HVAC systems and the energy efficiency performance of the home envelope.

Variables:

Test groups will be allocated to isolate specific aspects of home construction and operation. Variables to be tested include wall insulation, ceiling insulation, HVAC and duct selection, whole home dehumidification and ventilation, and year of construction. Control homes of different sizes will be monitored to establish a baseline for the test homes against standard building practices.

Duration:

June 2012 – March 2014, covering two cooling and two heating seasons. Initial results of the Pilot will be published in October 2012.