This paper reviews results of approximately fifteen months of monitoring of four houses located in the desert climate of Borrego Springs, California. Four houses were constructed using identical floor plans but differing wall materials, and different cooling systems that were designed to reduce energy use in this extreme hot climate. Cooling systems evaluated include a high SEER two-speed air conditioner, an evaporative condenser, two prototype two-stage evaporative coolers, and two floor cooling systems. Detailed monitoring was used to develop performance maps for the air conditioning systems which are compared to manufacturers’ data. Energy savings for the high performance systems was evaluated relative to a standard 13 SEER air conditioner, and the economic potential of these systems is reviewed. The paper also evaluates the performance of two unique floor cooling systems.

Units: Dual