Evaluating optimal building designs for Habitat for Humanity using BEopt (Building Energy Optimization) software

Habitat for Humanity (HFH) is an international non-profit organization that works to provide suitable housing for low-income families. Habitat partner families can benefit from lower utility bills and reduced impact of fluctuating energy costs. Lower predicted energy bills can also reduce the minimum income requirements for HFH homeowners and open the ownership opportunity to more people.; The BEopt (Building Energy Optimization) software runs DOE2 and TRNSYS in a series of building simulations to find cost-optimal building designs that achieve various levels of energy savings.; This study used BEopt to evaluate various energy efficiency measures and their effect on a standard Habitat building design in four different cities. The BEopt results were then used to develop a set of recommendations for Habitat affiliates to increase energy savings beyond the Energy Star ratings or their current standard practice to achieve the minimum monthly energy-related costs for the homeowner. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...