This paper presents two projects in cold climates and examines the relationship between very energy efficient single family residential thermal enclosures, comfort conditions, and simplified space conditioning systems. A project in Massachusetts allowed for the comparison of room-to-room temperatures between a single point-source, gas fired heater and a traditional, ducted, forced air, gas fired furnace in very similar houses, all built to the same construction standard. The other project, in Illinois, allowed for evaluation of room temperatures in a house with individually controlled electric resistance heaters placed in each room in conjunction with a fully ducted energy recovery ventilator. Six-minute average temperatures were recorded in the Massachusetts project, and two-minute average temperatures were recorded in the Illinois project. Temperature readings were taken in bedrooms and main living spaces in each house. The Massachusetts houses had a single thermostat located in the main living space, and the Illinois project used individual thermostats in each room. The data collected suggests that dramatically simplified heating systems can provide equivalent or better temperature uniformity and occupant comfort than a traditional forced air system in a low load house.

Presented at Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings X – December 2007

Units: Dual