This paper is the fourth in a series on the ASHRAE SP43 project. Field measurement results are presented of the cooling-system performance in the two SP43 unoccupied test houses, together with results of initial validation of the SP43 Simulation Model in the cooling mode. Development and validation of the SP43 Simulation Model in the heating mode has been underway for three years and is reported in other ASHRAE papers. The present paper is the first in the series to focus on the cooling mode and relates to Chapter I of the ASHRAE Applications Handbook on air-conditioning of residences.

In this paper, experimental data are compared with SP43 Simulation Model predictions for five test cases of approximately four days’ duration at each house. The inputs to the model include weather, infiltration, and soil temperature data, as well as data for the internal heat and moisture sources. The model predictions include energy use, air and structure temperatures, and humidities.

Energy use comparisons for each of the test cases are presented in tabular form. Cumulative energy use for all but one of the test cases was predicted within ±12%. A more detailed comparison of predicted and measured temperatures for a selected test is presented for each of the houses; these comparisons include living space, basement, attic, and supply-register temperatures as well as living space humidity and thermostat cycling rate.

Units: Dual