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Mitigating Energy Inefficiency: A Cost-Effective Approach to Cool Attic Spaces in Lower-Income Households in the Southeastern United States

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Conference

2024 ASEE-GSW

Location

Canyon, Texas

Publication Date

March 10, 2024

Start Date

March 10, 2024

End Date

March 12, 2024

Page Count

16

DOI

10.18260/1-2--45390

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/45390

Download Count

29

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Paper Authors

biography

Md Irfan Khan The University of Texas at Tyler

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An experienced mechanical engineer with a proven track record in problem-solving and action-oriented behavior. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to innovate, with experience in mechanical design, prototyping, and simulation.

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biography

Nelson Fumo The University of Texas at Tyler Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-2443-8782

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Nelson Fumo is an Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Tyler. He has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. His specialization is in Thermal Science with focus on energy in buildings in the areas of HVAC, energy management, and whole building energy modeling. He has been in academia for more than 30 years and has published more than 60 Journal and Conference papers.

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Victoria Anna Bassham The University of Texas at Tyler

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Micheal Asama The University of Texas at Tyler

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Abstract

Households with lower incomes, built around the 1980s in the southeast of America, typically exhibit a 36% higher electricity consumption than the national average. To address this issue, this study explores the potential of leveraging the difference between dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures during the summer season to cool the attic air. In this study, an analytical investigation is presented on implementing a low-cost indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) to reduce attic air temperature. The results show that the use of an IEC can lower the attic air temperature from about 140°F to 90°F. This reduction in the attic air temperature will reduce the total heat transfer from the attic to the air-conditioned spaces as well as the heat gains of ducts in the attic. Our analysis suggested that an IEC with a flow rate of 150 CFM should be sufficient to cool the attic air. The total cost for implementing the project is anticipated to be around $600, and by considering the interest rate of 6% and the 10-year lifespan of the project, the economic analysis suggests that the present value of future cash flows will be greater than the initial investment.

Khan, M. I., & Fumo, N., & Bassham, V. A., & Asama, M. (2024, March), Mitigating Energy Inefficiency: A Cost-Effective Approach to Cool Attic Spaces in Lower-Income Households in the Southeastern United States Paper presented at 2024 ASEE-GSW, Canyon, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--45390

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