Fourteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

This research presents practicality of using heat pumps for heating and cooling in a humid subtropical climate. Home energy consumption accounts for approximately 58% of the total energy consumption in the United States. Most heating systems use natural gas for heating especially in cold winter climates. Traditionally, large homes’ temperature balance point is 55-65 F°. In Atlanta, The heating design temperature is 23F° and the cooling design temperature in is 89F°. This means that the heating load is usually larger than the cooling load which requires a much larger heating system than cooling system. Thus, using a heat pump for heating is not feasible. In a case study, this research presents a holistic design modification for a house that brings the balance point where the heating and cooling loads are balanced so the heat pump design capacity for heating and cooling are balanced. The simulation results showed that highly efficient heat pumps can provide an economical heating and cooling system for large homes in humid subtropical climate. The research concludes that suggested system eliminates the need for gas-fired heating system in urban areas, and at the same time significantly reduces the CO2 emissions by 38%.