Building America House 

Simulation Protocols

Robert Hendron and Cheryn Engebrecht

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Revised October 2010

Prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

For the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Program
ii

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ERRATA SHEET

NREL REPORT/PROJECT NUMBER: TP-550-49426

DOE NUMBER: DOE/GO-102010-3141

TITLE: Building America House Simulation Protocols

AUTHOR(S): Bob Hendron and Cheryn Engebrecht

ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE: September 2010

DATE OF CORRECTIONS: October 2010

A Note on the Revisions:

This report, as originally published, contained editorial errors that have been corrected in 

this revision. No changes, except those noted here, changed the authors’ intent.

p. 1, paragraph 5 has been changed to the following:

Standard user profiles for use in conjunction with these reference houses have been 

developed based on review of the available literature. Additional analysis and end-use 

monitoring may be required to evaluate energy savings for specific occupants whose 

behaviors could vary from the average profiles defined in this document.

p. 49, first paragraph under Space Conditioning, the following text was added:

Thermostat set points based on the optimum seasonal temperature for human comfort as 

defined in ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 (ASHRAE 2004b). Set point for cooling: 76°F 

with no setup period Set point for heating: 71°F with no setback period.

“Take-back, set-up and set-back are not included in the analysis of thermostat set points 

due to the need for more analytical data in this area.“ 
iii

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the following current and former NREL staff members for their significant 

contributions to the development of this document:

Ren Anderson

Dennis Barley

Jay Burch

Craig Christensen

Mark Eastment

Xia Fang

Rob Guglielmetti

Sara Farrar-Nagy

Kristin Field

Marcia Fratello

Michael Gestwick

Scott Horowitz

Ron Judkoff

Neal Kruis

Ben Polly

Stacey Rothgeb

Jennifer Scheib

Paul Torcellini

Jon Winkler

Stefanie Woodward

The authors would also like to thank Ed Hancock, Greg Barker, and Paul Reeves for their 

valuable technical contributions. In addition, the simulation experts for each of the Building 

America teams provided important new perspectives and critical assistance with the development 

of these protocols. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to David Lee, Terry Logee, Ed 

Pollock, and George James of the U.S. Department of Energy for the program leadership and 

financial resources needed to complete this work over many years.
iv

Definitions

A/C air-conditioning

AFUE Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

BA Building America

CEC California Energy Commission

CFA conditioned floor area

cfm cubic feet per minute

COU coefficient of utilization

DHW domestic hot water

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

DOE-2 building energy analysis program that can predict the energy use and cost for 

all types of buildings

DSE distribution system efficiency

DUF dryer usage factor

EER energy efficiency ratio

EF energy factor

ELA effective leakage area

FFA finished floor area

HP heat pump

HSPF heating seasonal performance factor

IECC International Energy Conservation Code

IESNA Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

LBNL Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

M maintenance factor

MAT monthly average temperature

MEF modified energy factor

MEL miscellaneous electric load

NCTH New Construction Test Home

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory

OA outdoor air

RECS Energy Information Administration Residential Energy Consumption Survey

RESNET Residential Energy Services Network

SEER seasonal energy efficiency ratio

SHGC solar heat gain coefficient

SLA specific leakage area

TMY3 Typical Meteorological Year, Version 3

TREAT Building energy software that performs hourly simulations for single-family, 

multi-family, and mobile homes

TRNSYS The Transient Energy System Simulation Tool is software designed to 

simulate the transient performance of thermal energy systems

U-value The thermal transmittance of a material, incorporating the thermal 

conductance of the structure along with heat transfer resulting from 

convection and radiation
v

Contents

Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................iii

Definitions..................................................................................................................................... iv

Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 1

Analysis Tools .......................................................................................................................... 2

New Construction.......................................................................................................................... 3

B10 Benchmark Specifications................................................................................................. 3

Building Envelope .............................................................................................................. 4

Space Conditioning/Air Distribution Equipment................................................................ 7

Domestic Hot Water ......................................................................................................... 10

Lighting............................................................................................................................. 16

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads ................................................................. 26

Site Generation.................................................................................................................. 30

Modeling the NCTH ............................................................................................................... 30

Existing Homes............................................................................................................................ 34

Analysis Tools Specific to Existing Buildings....................................................................... 34

Pre-Retrofit Specifications...................................................................................................... 35

Building Envelope ............................................................................................................ 35

Space Conditioning/Air Distribution Equipment.............................................................. 37

Domestic Hot Water ......................................................................................................... 42

Air Infiltration and Ventilation ......................................................................................... 44

Lighting............................................................................................................................. 44

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads ................................................................. 44

Site Generation.................................................................................................................. 47

Modeling the Post-Retrofit Case............................................................................................. 47

Operating Conditions................................................................................................................. 49

Vacation Periods..................................................................................................................... 49

Space Conditioning................................................................................................................. 49

Domestic Hot Water ............................................................................................................... 50

Lighting................................................................................................................................... 57

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads ....................................................................... 57

Occupancy............................................................................................................................... 63

Internal Mass........................................................................................................................... 65

Reporting Energy Use and Energy Savings............................................................................ 65

New Construction ................................................................................................................... 65

Existing Homes....................................................................................................................... 70

References.................................................................................................................................... 74
vi

Figures

Figure 1. Normalized hourly lighting profile for a given month using Option 1 ......................... 17

Figure 2. Interior and garage lighting profile (International Falls, Minnesota)............................ 20

Figure 3. Normalized hourly profile for outdoor areas in multi-family housing.......................... 25

Figure 4. Percentage of total wattage turned on per hour of day for common areas in multi-family 

housing.................................................................................................................................... 25

Figure 5. Clothes washer hot water use profile............................................................................. 51

Figure 6. Multi-family common laundry hot water use profile: weekday.................................... 51

Figure 7. Multif-amily common laundry hot water use profile: weekend.................................... 52

Figure 8. Dishwasher hot water use profile .................................................................................. 52

Figure 9. Shower hot water use profile......................................................................................... 53

Figure 10. Bath hot water use profile............................................................................................ 53

Figure 11. Sink hot water use profile............................................................................................ 54

Figure 12. Central restroom sink hot water use profile ................................................................ 54

Figure 13. Combined DHW use profile........................................................................................ 55

Figure 14. Mains temperature profile for Chicago ....................................................................... 57

Figure 15. Total combined residential equipment profile............................................................. 58

Figure 16. Refrigerator normalized energy use profile................................................................. 58

Figure 17. Clothes washer normalized machine energy use profile ............................................. 59

Figure 18. Clothes dryer normalized energy use profile............................................................... 59

Figure 19. Common laundry clothes washer normalized energy use profile ............................... 60

Figure 20. Common laundry clothes dryer normalized energy use profile .................................. 60

Figure 21. Dishwasher normalized energy use profile ................................................................. 61

Figure 22. Range/oven normalized energy use profile ................................................................. 61

Figure 23. MELs normalized energy use profile .......................................................................... 62

Figure 24. Seasonal multipliers for appliances and MELs........................................................... 63

Figure 25. Average hourly load profile from occupants for all day types and family types........ 64

Figure 26. Detailed hourly load profiles resulting from occupants being in different parts of the 

house on weekdays (WD) and weekends (WE)...................................................................... 64

Figure 27. Detailed hourly load profiles resulting from occupants being in different common 

spaces on specific days of the week........................................................................................ 65

Tables

Table 1. Insulation R-Values...........................................................................................................6

Table 2. Benchmark Framing Factors..............................................................................................6

Table 3. Fenestration Assembly Characteristics..............................................................................7

Table 4. Benchmark Space Conditioning Equipment Efficiencies..................................................8

Table 5. Duct Locations and Specifications for the Benchmark .....................................................9

Table 6. Characteristics of Benchmark DHW System...................................................................10

Table 7. Benchmark DHW Storage and Burner Capacity .............................................................10

Table 8. Example Characteristics of a Benchmark DHW System.................................................11

Table 9. DHW Consumption by End Use......................................................................................12

Table 10. Example Characteristics of Benchmark DWH Events and Constraints........................13

Table 11. Benchmark DHW Distribution System Characteristics.................................................14

Table 12. Multi-Family Common Space and Residential Unit SLA Values for Benchmark........15
vii

Table 13. Multi-Family Common Space Ventilation Rates...........................................................16

Table 14. Monthly Multipliers for Hard-Wired Lighting ..............................................................17

Table 15. Fixed Values for Benchmark Calculation for Option 2.................................................19

Table 16. Single- and Multi-Family Room Lighting Levels.........................................................21

Table 17. Multi-Family Common Space Illumination...................................................................21

Table 18. Coefficient of Utilization by Fixture Type ....................................................................22

Table 19. Default Efficacy by Lamp Type ....................................................................................24

Table 20. Average Lighting Operating Hours for Room Types....................................................24

Table 21. Annual Appliance Loads and MELs for the Benchmark...............................................27

Table 22. Example of Benchmark Annual Consumption for MELs and Gas Loads.....................27

Table 23. Useful Cooking Energy Output for Gas and Electric Ranges .......................................32

Table 24. Default R-Values for Framed Wall Cavity Insulation...................................................35

Table 25. Default R-Values for Cavity Insulation in Cathedral Ceilings and Closed-Rafter 

Roofs........................................................................................................................................35

Table 26. Default R-Values for Floors Above Conditioned Spaces..............................................36

Table 27. Default R-Values for Common Insulation Types..........................................................36

Table 28. Default Solar Absorptances for Common Roofing Surfaces.........................................37

Table 29. Default Wood Framing Factors.....................................................................................37

Table 30. Default Furnace and Boiler System Efficiencies...........................................................39

Table 31. Default Heating System Blower and Auxiliary Electricity Consumption.....................39

Table 32. Default Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Efficiencies.................................................40

Table 33. Default DHW EFs, Based on Known Equipment Characteristics.................................42

Table 34. Default DHW Consumption by End Use.......................................................................43

Table 35. Default Dishwasher Characteristics...............................................................................44

Table 36. Default Standard Size (~2.5 ft3

) Clothes Washer Characteristics .................................44

Table 37. Default Gas Clothes Dryer Characteristics....................................................................45

Table 38. Default Electric Clothes Dryer Characteristics..............................................................45

Table 39. Default Gas Oven/Cooktop Characteristics...................................................................45

Table 40. Default Electric Oven/Cooktop Characteristics.............................................................46

Table 41. Useful Cooking Energy Output for Gas and Electric Ranges .......................................46

Table 42. Default Internal Loads From Appliances and Small Electric End Uses in the..............46

Table 43. Hot Water Use Multipliers for Specific Day Types ......................................................55

Table 44. Peak Sensible and Latent Heat Gain From Occupants..................................................64

Table 45. Summary of Site Energy Consumption by End Use Using BA Research Benchmark .66

Table 46. Example Summary of Source Energy Consumption by End Use Using BA Research 

Benchmark ...............................................................................................................................67

Table 47. End Use Categories........................................................................................................67

Table 48. Source EFs for Energy Delivered to Buildings .............................................................68

Table 49. Example Measure Savings Report for New Construction.............................................69

Table 50. Example Summary of Site Energy Consumption by End Use for an............................71

Table 51. Example Summary of Source Energy Consumption by End Use for an.......................71

Table 52. Example Measure Savings Report for an Existing Homes Project ...............................73
1

Introduction

Building America (BA) is an industry-driven research program sponsored by the U.S. 

Department of Energy (DOE) that applies systems engineering approaches to accelerate the 

development and adoption of advanced building energy technologies in new and existing 

residential buildings. This program supports multiple building research teams in the production 

of advanced residential buildings on a community scale. These teams use a systems engineering 

process to perform cost and performance assessments relative to each builder or retrofit 

contractor’s standard practice; the overall goal is to significantly reduce energy use with only a 

nominal increase in initial construction costs. The energy efficiency concepts incorporated into 

these houses are evaluated by conducting successive design, test, redesign, and retest iterations, 

including cost and performance trade-offs; the result will be innovations that can be used cost 

effectively in production-scale housing. 

Additional goals of the BA program are to:

• Encourage a systems engineering approach in the design and construction of new homes 

and retrofits.

• Accelerate the development and adoption of high-performance residential energy 

systems.

• Improve indoor air quality, comfort, and durability.

• Integrate clean, on-site power systems.

To measure progress toward these goals, cost and performance trade-offs are evaluated through a 

series of controlled field and laboratory experiments supported by energy analysis techniques 

that use test data to validate energy simulation models. This report summarizes the guidelines for 

developing and reporting these analytical results in a consistent and meaningful manner for all 

home energy uses. As BA teams develop innovative new technologies and systems approaches 

that move the program toward its research goals, this report will be evaluated and updated 

periodically to ensure that energy savings from these features are accurately credited. 

The House Simulation Protocol document was developed to track and manage progress toward 

multi-year, average whole-building energy reduction research goals for new construction and 

existing homes, using a consistent reference point. These protocols provide a mechanism for 

tracking progress toward long-term research goals and ensuring that individual research projects 

are relevant to builder and retrofit contractor needs.

Standard user profiles for use in conjunction with these reference houses have been developed 

based on review of the available literature. Additional analysis and end-use monitoring may be 

required to evaluate energy savings for specific occupants whose behaviors could vary from the 

average profiles defined in this document. 

Purpose

As BA has grown to include a large and diverse cross-section of the home building and retrofit 

industries, it has become more important to develop accurate, consistent analysis techniques. 

These are designed to help program partners perform design trade-offs and calculate energy 

savings for Post-retrofit and New Construction Test Houses (NCTHs) built as part of the 
2

program. Many useful approaches and tools are available to BA teams and partners for 

calculating energy savings. This document illustrates analysis methods that are proven to be 

effective and reliable in analyzing the energy use of advanced energy systems and of entire 

houses. 

This document is divided into three sections. Section I provides information about design 

assumptions and analysis methods for new construction, including the Building America B10 

Benchmark house and a NCTH house. Many other valid techniques and definitions have been 

developed by other organizations, and they can be very useful to builders for specialized 

applications. For example, the HERS rating procedure (RESNET 2006) must be followed to 

obtain an ENERGY STAR® rating for building energy efficiency. Section II provides similar 

information for the analysis of existing homes, both Pre-Retrofit and Post-Retrofit. Using as 

many aspects of the real houses as possible, this section also provides default values for 

components of the house with unknown performance characteristics. Section III provides 

information about standard operating conditions for the analysis of new and existing homes. 

Analysis Tools

A key decision in any building energy analysis is which tool or program is used to estimate 

energy consumption. An hourly simulation is often necessary to fully evaluate the timedependent energy impacts of advanced systems used in BA houses. Thermal mass, solar heat 

gain, and wind-induced air infiltration are examples of time-dependent effects that can be 

accurately modeled only by using a model that calculates heat transfer and temperature in short 

time intervals. An hourly simulation program is also necessary to accurately estimate peak 

energy loads. Because it has been specifically developed and tailored to meet BA’s needs, BEopt 

(using either DOE-2 or EnergyPlus as the simulation engine) is the hourly simulation tool 

recommended for systems analysis studies performed under the DOE Building America 

program.

Teams are also encouraged to use other simulation tools when appropriate for specialized 

building simulation analysis, provided the tool has met the requirements of the Building Energy 

Simulation Test and Diagnostic Method in accordance with the software certification sections of 

RESNET (2006). Regardless of the tool selected, teams should present complete analysis results 

in accordance with the reporting guidelines described later in this report. 
3

New Construction 

To track progress toward aggressive multi-year, whole-house energy savings goals of 30%–50% 

for new homes, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed the BA B10 

Benchmark. The B10 Benchmark, referred to simply as the Benchmark in this report, is 

consistent with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), with additional 

definitions that allow the analyst to evaluate all residential end uses consistent with typical 

homes built in 2010. The Benchmark represents typical construction at a fixed point in time so it 

can be used as the basis for Building America’s multi-year energy savings goals without the 

complication of chasing a “moving target.” A series of user profiles, intended to represent the 

behavior of a typical set of occupants, was created for use in conjunction with the Benchmark. 

The Benchmark is intended for use with detached and attached single-family housing, as well as 

multi-family housing. 

The following house designs shall be included as part of the analysis of a new home design:

B10 Benchmark. A reference case representing a house built to the 2009 IECC, as well as the 

federal appliance standards in effect as of January 1, 2010, and lighting characteristics and 

miscellaneous electric loads (MELs) most common in 2010. The Benchmark is used as the point 

of reference for tracking progress toward multi-year energy savings goals established by 

Building America. 

New Construction Test House (NCTH). A research house or prototype house built as part of a 

community-scale project that includes advanced systems and design features built as part of the 

Building America program. 

B10 Benchmark Specifications

The following sections summarize the definition of the Benchmark. NREL and other BA 

partners have also developed a series of tools, including spreadsheets with detailed hourly energy 

usage and load profiles, to help analysts apply the Benchmark quickly and in a consistent 

manner. These tools are available on the BA Web site 

(www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/ perf_analysis.html). In addition, BEopt, a 

software package developed by NREL, automatically generates the Benchmark when the 

specifications for a NCTH are entered.

Any element of the Benchmark definition that is not specifically addressed in the following 

sections is assumed to be the same as the NCTH. Because the definition is intended to be 

software-neutral, certain elements of the Benchmark cannot be modeled directly using every 

common simulation tool. If the energy use associated with such elements is significant, it should 

be modeled or hand-calculated separately from the building model and reasonable adjustments 

should be made to the whole-house simulation results. If no significant energy effect is 

associated with these elements, the NCTH and Benchmark should be modeled using similar 

approximations in an energy-neutral manner. 

The Benchmark may be applied to either a single-family or multi-family home. A single-family 

home is contained within walls that go from the basement or the ground floor (if there is no 

basement) to the roof. A single-family attached home is defined as a single-family home with 

one or more stories that shares one or more walls with another unit. The single-family attached 

home definition includes, but is not limited to, duplexes, row houses, and townhomes. 
4

A multi-family home (or multi-family building) has at least five housing units. Each multi-family 

housing unit must share at least a floor or a ceiling with another unit. Also, there may be no more 

than three stories for a given multifamily building; otherwise, it is considered a commercial 

building, which is outside the scope of this document. These definitions are consistent with those 

provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) 

(DOE 2005) database (except the requirement on the number of units). 

Building Envelope

References to thermal envelope variables (such as R-values) stem from the IECC (ICC 2009) 

unless otherwise noted. 

The Benchmark envelope specifications are:

• The same shape and size as the NCTH, except the Benchmark shall have 2-ft eaves for 

pitched roofs and no eaves for flat roofs. Roof slope shall be the same as the NCTH

• The same area of surfaces bounding conditioned space as the NCTH with the exception 

of unfinished attics, which shall be insulated at the attic floor and have a ventilation area 

of 1 ft2 per 300 ft2 ceiling area, and the crawlspace, which shall be unvented and insulated 

at the walls, regardless of the NCTH design. Finished attics shall be considered part of 

the living space, and shall have the same thermal boundary as the NCTH

• The same foundation type (slab, crawl space, or basement) as the NCTH

• The same basement wall construction type as the NCTH (e.g., masonry, wood frame, 

other)

• No sunrooms

• No horizontal fenestration, defined as skylights, or light pipes oriented less than 45 

degrees from a horizontal plane

• For each floor of the house, window area (AF), including framing, determined by 

Equation 1 for single-family homes, and by Equation 2 for multifamily homes (regardless 

of whether the hallways are interior or exterior). The coefficient for Equation 1 stems 

from the IECC 2009 reference building and a number of references mentioned in 

“Eliminating Window-Area Restrictions in the IECC” (Taylor et al. 2001).

AF, Liv = 0.15 × AExWa, Liv (1)

AF, Bsm = 0.15 x AExWa,Bsm

AF, Liv = 0.30 × AExWa, Liv (2)

AF, Bsm = 0.30 x AExWa,Bsm

where

AF, Liv = total window area for above-grade floors (ft2

)

AF, Bsm = total window area for basement walls (ft2

)

AExWa,Liv = total exterior wall area of above-grade living space on a specific 

floor (ft2

)
5

AExWa,Bsm = total basement exterior wall area 

and where

Exterior wall is any wall that separates conditioned space from outside conditions. In 

cases where walls of multifamily units are adjacent to exterior hallways, this wall area 

will not be included due to the privacy issue.

Basement exterior wall is any above-grade basement wall that is exposed to outside 

conditions

• Thirty-three percent of the window area on each facade can be opened for natural 

ventilation.

• Either of two approaches may be used to achieve solar neutrality for the Benchmark: 

o Option 1: The calculated window area (see Equations 1 and 2) is distributed with 

the same proportion on each wall and on each floor as the NCTH. The energy use 

is calculated with the Benchmark house in each of four orientations rotated in 90-

degree increments relative to the NCTH orientation (+0 degrees, +90 degrees, 

+180 degrees, +270 degrees), and the average of these four cases is used to 

represent the energy use of the Benchmark. 

o Option 2: The window area is distributed equally on each of the four walls 

(including attached walls), and the orientation of the Benchmark is the same as 

the NCTH. 

• Thermal conductance of all thermal boundary elements equal to the requirements, 

expressed as R-values, of Section 402 of the 2009 IECC (ICC 2009), as summarized 

below. The climate zones in Table 1 refer to those specified in Table 301.1 of the 2009 

IECC. Unless otherwise specified, these R-values only include insulation and not the 

effective R-value of the entire wall/ceiling assembly.

• The R-value for insulation in the opaque fraction of exterior (detached and attached) 

walls can be found in Table 1. The values for the rest of the wall assembly are 1⁄2-in. 

drywall (R-0.45), stud/cavity represented by the framing factors in Table 2, 1⁄2-in. 

plywood (R-0.62) and stucco (R-0.2). 

• The above-grade exterior walls shall be light-frame 2 × 4 or 2 × 6 wood construction. The 

framing factors in Table 2 are representative of typical construction practices, and shall 

be used as inputs for the Benchmark model. Interior partition walls shall be light-frame (2 

× 4) wood construction. For multifamily buildings, the framing between floors will be 2 

× 10 wood construction.

• The R-value of an insulated ceiling shall be as specified in Table 1. However, if the 

building design does not allow sufficient space for the insulation (such as cathedral 

ceilings), R-30 insulation will be specified. The total area where the R-value is reduced 

for cathedral ceilings shall not exceed 500 ft2 or 20% (whichever is less) of the total 

insulated ceiling area. If the NCTH includes an attic, the Benchmark shall have a vented 

attic with insulation flat on the attic floor (even if the NCTH has a cathedralized attic). 

• R-value of an insulated floor above unconditioned space is specified in Table 1. 
6 

• R-values of walls in an insulated basement or unvented crawl space are specified in Table 

1. In both cases, continuous insulation shall be used for the Benchmark. 

R-values and depth of slab edge insulation for slab-on-grade construction are specified in Table 

1. This R-value is for rigid foam insulation and does not include the slab itself or ground effects. 

Table 1. Insulation R-Values

(excerpted from IECC 2009 unless otherwise noted)

Climate 

Zone 

Ceiling 

R-Value

Frame Wall 

R-Value 

(Detached)

Frame Wall 

R-Value 

(Attached)

*

Floor 

R-Value

Basement 

Wall 

R-Value

Crawl 

Space 

Wall 

R-Value

Slab RValue 

and 

Depth

1 30 13 13 13 0 0 0 

2 30 13 13 13 0 0 0 

3 30 13 13 19 0** 5 0 

4 except 

Marine 38 13 13 19 10 10 10, 2 ft

5 and 

Marine 4 38 13+5*** 19 30 10 10 10, 2 ft

6 49 13+5 19 30 15 10 10, 4 ft

7 and 8 49 21 19 38 15 10 10, 4 ft

* R-values for attached homes are not extracted from IECC 2009; however, values are consistent with insulation 

available on the market and with the pattern presented in IECC 2009 for walls in detached housing. ** Basement wall insulation is required in dry regions of Region 3 (as defined in Section 301 in IECC 2009), but is not 

included in the Benchmark for ease of implementation and because basements in this region are uncommon.

*** “13+5” means R-13 cavity insulation combined with R-5 continuous insulating sheathing on the exterior of the 

wall.

Table 2. Benchmark Framing Factors

Enclosure Element Frame Spacing

(in. on center)

Framing Fraction

(% area)

Walls (above grade) 16 23%

Floors/basement ceiling 16 13%

Ceilings below unconditioned space 24 11%

The assembly U-value and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for vertical fenestration, including 

windows and sliding glass doors, shall be determined using Table 3. Values in Table 3 were 

determined using IECC 2009 in combination with values that reflect common window options 

on the market when IECC 2009 does not have a requirement. If the simulation tool uses a 

window library, a window that approximately matches the UF and SHGC shall be selected, and 

the frame R-value shall be increased or decreased until the overall window UF matches the value 

in Table 3. 
7

Table 3. Fenestration Assembly Characteristics

Climate Zone Vertical Fenestration U-Value (UF)

(Btu/h·ft2·°F)

Vertical Fenestration 

SHGC

1 0.40 0.30

2 0.40 0.30

3 0.40 0.30

4 except Marine 0.35 0.35

5 and Marine 4 0.35 0.35

6 0.35 0.35

7 and 8 0.35 0.35

The Benchmark shall include external shading based on the geometry of the home, including 

roof projections, self-shading, attached garages and enclosed porches, unless the simulation tool 

does not allow for geometry inputs. However, the Benchmark will not include external shading 

at any time from awnings, adjacent buildings, or vegetation, regardless of the simulation tool 

used.

The area and location of opaque exterior doors shall be the same as the NCTH, with door Uvalue equal to 0.20 Btu/h∙ft2

∙°F (air-to-air).

Solar absorptivity is equal to 0.60 for opaque areas of exterior walls, and 0.75 for roofs.

Total emittance of opaque areas of exterior walls and roofs is equal to 0.90.

Masonry basement floor slabs and slab-on-grade foundations shall have 80% of floor area 

covered by R-2 carpet and pad and 20% of floor area directly exposed to room air. 

Space Conditioning/Air Distribution Equipment

Space conditioning equipment type and efficiency for the Benchmark shall meet the following 

requirements:

For detached or attached single-family homes, or multi-family homes with individual space 

conditioning systems, the equipment type and efficiency for the Benchmark shall be based on the 

type of heating and air-conditioning equipment found in the NCTH, as shown in Table 4. 

For centralized systems in multi-family homes, the Benchmark shall have individual systems 

with the characteristics shown in Table 5. The space heating distribution system shall be the 

same (e.g., baseboard heating, radiant floor), but the cooling distribution in the Benchmark shall 

always be forced air.

If the simulation tool requires the use of energy efficiency ratio (EER) instead of seasonal energy 

efficiency ratio (SEER) for a heat pump or air conditioner, the EER for the Benchmark shall be 

calculated using Equation 3. If the actual EER for the NCTH is not readily available, Equation 3 

may also be used to make an approximate conversion from SEER to EER (Wassmer 2003):

EER = –0.02 × SEER2 + 1.12 × SEER (3)

Heating and cooling equipment (including the air handler) shall be sized using the procedures 

published by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. (See 

www.acca.org/store/category.php?cid=1.)
8

Table 4. Benchmark Space Conditioning Equipment Efficiencies

NCTH Equipment Function Benchmark Space Conditioning 

Device

Gas or oil fired furnace Heating 78% AFUE* gas furnace

Mobile home furnace Heating 75% AFUE gas furnace

Gas or oil fired boiler (except gas steam) Heating 80% AFUE gas boiler

Gas steam boiler Heating 75% AFUE gas steam boiler

Gas space heater Heating 74% AFUE gas space heater

Other non-electric boiler Heating 80% AFUE gas boiler

Gas combination system Heating 78% AFUE gas furnace

Other non-electric heating Heating 78% AFUE gas furnace

Ground source heat pump Heating/Cooling 7.7 HSPF**/13 SEER air source heat 

pump

Air source heat pump (split) Heating/Cooling 7.7 HSPF/13 SEER air source heat 

pump

Air source heat pump (package) Heating/Cooling 7.7 HSPF/13 SEER air source heat 

pump

Other electric*** or no system Heating 7.7 HSPF/13 SEER air source heat 

pump

Split system central air conditioner (or 

mini-split air conditioner) Cooling 13 SEER air conditioner

Single package air conditioner Cooling 13 SEER air conditioner

Room air conditioner Cooling 9.0 EER room air conditioner

Other type or no air conditioner Cooling 13 SEER air conditioner 

* Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

** Heating seasonal performance factor

*** For NCTHs with electric resistance heating, the Benchmark shall have a 7.7 HSPF/13 SEER air source heat pump 

for both heating and cooling, regardless of the cooling system in the NCTH.

The Benchmark shall not have a whole-house fan.

Regardless of whether the NCTH actively controls relative humidity, the Benchmark shall 

include a stand-alone dehumidifier with an energy factor (EF) of 1.2 l/kWh. Sensible heat 

generated by the dehumidifier shall be added to the internal heat gains.

The Benchmark air handler shall have power consumption equal to 0.364 W/cfm.

The Benchmark shall include an air distribution system with the properties listed in Table 5. The 

location of the ductwork in the Benchmark is based on the type of foundation used for the 

NCTH. If the simulation tool does not permit the input of duct specifications to the level of detail 

used in Table 5, two values (one for heating, one for cooling) of seasonal distribution system 

efficiency (DSE) shall be estimated and applied to the heating and cooling system efficiencies to 

represent typical losses from ducts. The DSE values shall be determined using Table 5 and the 

procedures in the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers 

(ASHRAE) Standard 152 (ASHRAE 2004). NREL modified a spreadsheet developed by 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and integrated it into the BA Analysis 

Spreadsheet to assist with this calculation.
9

Table 5. Duct Locations and Specifications for the Benchmark

NCTH 

Foundation 

Type

Benchmark Duct Specification

One-Story Two-Story or Higher

Supply duct surface area (ft2) All 0.27 × FFA* 0.20 × FFA

Return duct surface area (ft2) All 0.05 × Nreturns × FFA 

(Maximum of 0.25 × FFA)

0.04 × Nreturns × FFA

(Maximum of 0.19 × 

FFA)

Rupply/return duct insulation 

(inside thermal envelope)** All None

Supply duct insulation within 

attic All R-8

Supply/return duct insulation 

(all other locations) All R-6

Duct material All Sheet metal

Duct leakage excluding air 

handler (inside and outside) All 10% of air handler flow (9% supply, 1% return)

Air handler leakage (inside 

and outside) All 5% of air handler flow (1% supply, 4% return)

Percent of duct/air handler 

leakage imbalance (supply 

minus return) made up by 

outside air (OA)

Slab-on-grade 

or raised floor 100% OA+++ 37% OA+++

Basement or 

crawl space 0% OA+ 0% OA+

Multi-family 100% OA+ 100% OA+

Supply duct location

Slab-on-grade 

or raised floor 100% atticd 65% attic++, 35% conditioned space

Crawlspace 100% crawlspace 

65% crawlspace, 

35% above-grade 

conditioned space

Basement 100% Basement 

65% basement, 

35% above-grade 

conditioned space

Multi-family 100% Conditioned 

space 100% Conditioned space

Return duct and air handler 

location

Slab-on-grade 

or raised floor 100% atticd 100% Attic++

Crawlspace 100% crawlspace 100% crawlspace

Basement 100% basement 100% basement

Multi-family 100% conditioned 

space 100% conditioned space

* Finished floor area (ft2)

**Thermal envelope includes everything within the insulation boundary. If the space between a basement and the living area is 

insulated, or there is no insulation at either the walls or ceiling of the basement, the basement is considered outside of the thermal 

envelope and ducts within that space have R-6 insulation.

+

It is assumed that supply leakage to the outside is 5% of total air handler flow when ducts are entirely within the thermal envelope 

in a 1-story house, and 3% of total air handler flow in a 2-story house. ++ If the NCTH does not have an attic, then this percentage of duct leakage is assumed to be in an attached garage. If the NCTH 

does not have an attached garage, then the leakage is assumed to be in conditioned space.

+++ If the NCTH does not have an attic or attached garage, the leakage is assumed to be in conditioned space and the leakage 

imbalance shall be made up of 0% outside air.
10

Domestic Hot Water

The specifications in Table 6 and Table 7 shall be used for the domestic hot water (DHW) 

system in the Benchmark. For a multifamily building with a central hot water system, the 

Benchmark shall have individual systems using the same fuel type. Storage and burner capacity 

are determined using the guidelines recommended in the HVAC Applications Handbook

(ASHRAE 2007a); these are based on the minimum capacity permitted by the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration (HUD 1982). EF is 

consistent with the Federal standard for the corresponding fuel type and storage capacity (DOE 

2001a). An example set of DHW specifications based on a typical three-bedroom, two-bathroom 

NCTH is shown in Table 8. The BA Analysis Spreadsheet developed by NREL automates many 

of the equations discussed in the following paragraphs, and calculates the correct DHW inputs 

for the TRNSYS computer program, including standby heat loss coefficient. The spreadsheet has 

a comprehensive set of inputs and outputs that can be used to help calculate DHW properties for 

the NCTH (Burch and Erickson 2004). 

Table 6. Characteristics of Benchmark DHW System

Water Heater Fuel Type in NCTH

Electric Gas

Storage capacity (V) (gallons) See Table 7. See Table 7.

EF* 0.97 – (0.00132 × V) 0.67 – (0.0019 × V)

RE** 1.00 0.78

Burner capacity See Table 7. See Table 7.

Fuel type Same as NCTH***

Tank location Same as NCTH

* Energy factor

** Recovery efficiency

*** If the NCTH does not have a DHW system, or the hot water system uses solar energy or a fuel other than gas or 

electricity, the Benchmark shall use the same fuel for water heating as that used for Benchmark space heating. 

Table 7. Benchmark DHW Storage and Burner Capacity

(ASHRAE 2007b)

# Bedrooms 1 2 3 4 5 6

# Bathrooms All ≤ 1.5 ≥ 2 ≤ 1.5 2–2.5 ≥ 3 ≤ 2.5 ≥ 3 All All

Gas

Storage (gal) 20 30 30 30 40 40 40 50 50 50

Burner (kBtu/h) 27 36 36 36 36 38 38 38 47 50

Electric

Storage (gal) 20 30 40 40 50 50 50 66 66 80

Burner (kW) 2.5 3.5 4.5 4.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
11

Table 8. Example Characteristics of a Benchmark DHW System

(based on an NCTH with three bedrooms and two bathrooms)

Water Heater Fuel Type in NCTH

Electric Gas

Storage capacity (V) (Gallons) 50 40

EF 0.904 0.594

RE 1.00 0.78

Burner Capacity 5.5 kW 36,000 Btu/h

Fuel Type Same as NCTH

Tank Location Same as NCTH

Five major end uses are identified for DHW: showers, baths, sinks, dishwasher, and clothes 

washer. If the builder does not provide a clothes washer, the Benchmark clothes washer shall be 

included in both the Benchmark and NCTH models, except in the case of multi-family housing 

with a common laundry room. The average daily water consumption by end use is shown in 

Table 9. For showers, baths, and sinks, the specified volume is the combined hot and cold water. 

This allows hot water use to fluctuate depending on the cold water (mains) temperature. Hot 

water usage values for the clothes washer and dishwasher were estimated based on several 

scientific references studied by NREL. For showers, baths, and sinks, the water usage is based on 

the average of three DHW studies (Burch and Salasovich 2002; CEC 2002; Christensen et al. 

2000). The relationship between the number of bedrooms and hot water usage was derived from 

the 1997 RECS (DOE 1999). This relationship also applies to machine energy for certain 

appliances, which will be discussed later in this report. Latent and sensible heat gains were 

estimated based on guidance from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 

Moisture Control in Buildings (ASTM 1994) manual. The water usage equation for a common 

laundry room stems from the National Research Center’s study of laundry use in multi-family 

housing (NRC 2002). The equation for the office/public sink is based on engineering judgment. 
12

Table 9. DHW Consumption by End Use

End Use

End Use 

Water 

Temperature

Water Use Sensible Heat 

Gain Latent Heat Gain

Clothes washer water heater 

setpoint

2.35 + 0.78 × Nbr gal/day 

(hot only) 0* 0*

Common laundry water heater 

setpoint

2.47 gal/day/housing 

unit

(hot only)

0* 0*

Dishwasher water heater 

setpoint

2.26 + 0.75 × Nbr gal/day 

(hot only) 0* 0*

Shower 110°F 14.0 + 4.67 × Nbr gal/day 

(hot and cold)

741 + 247 × Nbr

Btu/day 

703 + 235 × Nbr

Btu/day (0.70 + 0.23 

× Nbr pints/day)

Bath 110°F 3.5 + 1.17 × Nbr gal/day 

(hot and cold)

185 + 62 × Nbr

Btu/day 0**

Sinks 110°F

12.5 + 4.16 × Nbr gal/day 

(hot and cold)

310 + 103 × Nbr

Btu/day

140 + 47 × Nbr

Btu/day (0.14 + 0.05 

× Nbr pints/day)

Office/public sink 110°F 0.028 × Nunits gal/day 

(hot and cold) 0.69 × Nunits

Btu/day

0.314 × Nunits

Btu/day (3.14 × 10-4

× Nunits pints/day)

* Sensible and latent heat gains from appliances are included in the section titled, “Appliances and Miscellaneous 

Electric Loads.”

** Negligible compared to showers and sinks.
13

Table 10. Example Characteristics of Benchmark DWH Events and Constraints

(based on an NCTH with three bedrooms)

Characteristics Sink Shower Bath CW DW

Average duration (min) 0.62 7.8 5.65 0.96 1.38

Standard deviation duration (min) 0.67 3.52 2.09 0.51 0.37

Probability distribution for duration Exponential Log-Normal Normal Discrete LogNormal

Average flow rate (gpm)* 1.14 2.25 4.40 2.20 1.39

Standard deviation flow rate (gpm)* 0.61 0.68 1.17 0.62 0.20

Probability distribution for flow rate Normal Normal Normal Normal Normal

Average event volume (gal)* 0.76 16.73 23.45 2.18 1.93

Average daily volume (gal/day)* 25 28 7 4.7 4.5

Average daily events (events/day) 32.9 1.7 0.3 2.2 2.4

Annual events (events/year) 12007 611 109 788 858

Maximum time between events in 

cluster (min) 15 60 60 60

Average time between events in 

cluster (min) 1.93 30.5 9.8

Average events per cluster 1.90 1.24 1.00 1.96 4.89

Number of clusters per year 6319 493 109 402 176

Maximum time between events in 

load (min) 30

Maximum time between loads in 

cluster (min) 240

Number of loads per cluster 1.40

Average number of events per load 1.40

Average time between events in 

load (min) 5.0

Average time between loads in 

cluster (min) 74.3

Probability distribution for cluster 

size Discrete Discrete Discrete Discrete Discrete

Fraction of events at primary fixture 

(kitchen sink, master bath 

shower/tub)

0.70 0.75 0.75 1.00 1.00

Fraction of events at secondary 

fixture (master bath sink, second 

shower/tub)

0.10 0.25 0.25

Fraction of events at 3rd fixture 0.10

Fraction of events at 4th fixture 0.10

Derived from AWWA 1200 house total water study (AWWA 1999)

Derived from a 20 house hot water study conducted by Aquacraft (Aquacraft 2008)

Derived from other values in this document

Engineering judgment

* Hot + cold water combined for mixed temperature end uses (sinks, showers, baths)
14

Hot water distribution system design can have a significant impact on wait times for hot water, 

interior heat gains from pipes, and total water heating energy. NREL and Davis Energy Group 

analyzed a wide range of distribution system types, and developed a set of equations to assist 

with the calculation of whole-house energy savings for improved distribution systems. The basic 

characteristics of the Benchmark distribution system are summarized in Table 11. Treatment of 

other distribution system types is discussed in the “Modeling the NCTH” section of this report. 

Table 11. Benchmark DHW Distribution System Characteristics

Branching Configuration Trunk and Branch

Material Copper

Pipe insulation None

Pipe lengths and diameters Based on 2010 ft2 NCTH house layout developed 

by Davis Energy Group for CEC (DEG 2006)

Number of bathrooms Nbr/2+1⁄2

Recirculation loop None

Location Inside conditioned space

The daily internal heat gain caused by the Benchmark distribution system shall be calculated 

using Equation 4. The heat gain shall be applied using the combined hourly DHW profile in 

Figure 9. 

IHG (Btu/day) = {IHGbench,avg + 735 × (Nbr - 3)} ×

{1 +1/ IHGbench,avg × [362 + {63 × (Nbr - 3)}] 

× sin(2π × (Month/12 + 0.3))} (4)

where 

IHGbench,avg = average daily heat gain for Benchmark DHW system 

= 4257 Btu/day

Nbr = Number of bedrooms

Month = Number of the month (January = 1, etc.)

Air Infiltration and Ventilation

The hourly natural air change rate for a single-family home (detached or attached) Benchmark 

shall be calculated based on the specific leakage area (SLA) determined using Equation 5:

SLA = ELA/CFA = 0.00036 (5)

where 

ELA = effective leakage area (ft2), defined as the amount of open 

area that would result in the same total air exchange as the 

actual leakage area of the house at a pressure of 4 Pa

CFA = conditioned floor area (ft2)
15

When specifying natural infiltration for a single-family detached or attached Benchmark with 

either a directly or an indirectly conditioned basement, the SLA shall be adjusted to account for 

the in-ground portions of the walls of the conditioned basement. Equation 6 shall be used to 

make this adjustment. 

SLAoverall = [(CFAbsmt × SLAbsmt) + 

(CFAa-g × SLAa-g)]/[CFAtotal] (6)

where

SLA = ELA (ft2)/CFA (ft2)

SLAa-g = SLAstd (where subscript ‘a-g’ indicates above-grade floors)

SLAbsmt = SLAstd × (above-grade basement wall area)/(total 

basement wall area)

SLAstd = 0.00036

For single-family houses, this can be calculated by zone, applying SLAbsmt to the basement and 

SLAstd to the above-grade floors of the Benchmark and treating the energy balances separately 

for each zone. It can also be done by applying SLAoverall to the combined spaces if the 

Benchmark is modeled as a single zone.

For a multi-family building, the SLA values for the Benchmark are specified in Table 12 (NREL 

2009). These values include leakage area to the outside only. They do not consider the 

infiltration rates between apartments because other apartments are assumed to be space 

conditioned as well. However, the SLA values do consider how the unit’s location (ground or top 

floor) affects the infiltration. 

Table 12. Multi-Family Common Space and Residential Unit SLA Values for Benchmark

Room Type SLA

Central laundry 0.00019

Office 0.00036

Indoor corridors 0.00007

Workout room 0.00019

Central restroom 0.00019

Multi-purpose room 0.00027

Residential unit 0.00006 + 0.0009(T)

where

T = Area of perimeter surfaces exposed to unconditioned space (including a 

ceiling or floor if unit is on top or bottom floor respectively)/total area of 

perimeter surfaces for the residential unit (including ceiling and floor area)

Additional air exchange whole-house mechanical ventilation shall be calculated assuming a 

single point exhaust ventilation system with the same ventilation rate used for the NCTH, up to a 

maximum value consistent with the rate recommended by ASHRAE Standard 62.2 (ASHRAE 
16

2007b). Whole-house mechanical ventilation air shall be added to the natural infiltration rate in 

quadrature, assuming no heat recovery. Ventilation fan energy use for the Benchmark shall be 

calculated using a fan efficiency of 0.5 W/cfm. 

In addition to whole-house ventilation, the Benchmark shall include a kitchen range hood, spot 

ventilation fan in each bathroom, and exhaust from the clothes dryer. The flow rates of the 

kitchen and bathroom fans shall be the same as those in the NCTH, and their efficiency shall be 

0.50 W/cfm. The flow rate for the clothes dryer fan shall be 100 cfm. The kitchen range hood is 

assumed to operate 60 min/ day (between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.), and each bathroom fan 

(including those in central restrooms) is assumed to operate 60 minutes per day (between 7:00 

a.m. and 8:00 a.m.). The clothes dryer fan will operate for 60 minutes per day between 11:00 

a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Interactive effects between these spot exhaust ventilation fans and natural 

infiltration shall be included in the analysis.

For multi-family common spaces, the air ventilation rates required for the Benchmark are 

combinations of values suggested by ASHRAE 62.1 and NREL’s Commercial Building 

Benchmark for 2009. Values to be used are shown in Table 13. 

Table 13. Multi-Family Common Space Ventilation Rates

Room Type Ventilation Rate (cfm/ft2)

Central laundry 0.12

Office 0.08

Indoor corridors 0.05

Workout room 0.06

Electrical equipment room 0.06

Multi-purpose room 0.06

Central restroom 50 cfm per urinal/water closet

Lighting

For the Benchmark lighting budget, 66% of all lamps are incandescent, 21% are compact 

fluorescent, and the remaining 13% are T-8 linear fluorescent (KEMA 2009). In all calculations, 

a 10% takeback is included in the form of an increase in operating hours when incandescent 

lamps are replaced with energy-efficient lamps (Greening et al. 2000).

The Benchmark and NCTH lighting calculations have two options: (1) a simpler method that is 

based on a smart lamp replacement approach; and (2) a more complicated method that uses a 

more sophisticated room-by-room analysis approach that factors in the amount of hard-wired 

lighting compared to the total lighting needed based on Illuminating Engineering Society of 

North America (IESNA) (Rea et al. 2000) illumination recommendations, and adjusts plug-in 

lighting accordingly. If the project is a multi-family housing complex, Option 2 must be used. 
17

Option 1:

The total annual hard-wired and plug-in lighting use for the Benchmark is determined using 

Equations 7–10. These equations were derived from detailed calculations using Option 2 for a 

cross-section of residential floor plans using typical fixtures and lamps. 

Interior hard-wired lighting = 0.8*(FFA × 0.542 + 334) kWh/yr, (7)

Interior plug-in lighting = 0.2*(FFA × 0.542 + 334) kWh/yr, (8)

Garage lighting = Garage Area × 0.08 + 8 kWh/yr, (9)

Exterior lighting = FFA × 0.145 kWh/yr (10)

A percentage of this lighting energy use is associated with each month (Table 14). The total 

kWh/yr found in Equations 7–10 are multiplied by each of these numbers to find the kilowatthours used for a given month.

Table 14. Monthly Multipliers for Hard-Wired Lighting

Month Multiplier Month Multiplier

January 0.116 July 0.058

February 0.092 August 0.065

March 0.086 September 0.076

April 0.068 October 0.094

May 0.061 November 0.108

June 0.055 December 0.120

After dividing by the number of days in a month, one may obtain the kilowatt-hours per day. In 

Option 1, these numbers may then be applied to a normalized hourly profile (Figure 1 for 

interior, outdoor, and garage lighting) for a given day of that month and for an average city in the 

United States (St. Louis). The specific values for each month can be found online in the BA 

Analysis Spreadsheet. 

Figure 1. Normalized hourly lighting profile for a given month using Option 1

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Daily Energy

Hour of Day

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec
18

If a comprehensive lighting plan has not been developed for the NCTH house, and only 

fluorescent, light-emitting diode (LED), and incandescent lamps are installed, a simplified 

approach may be used to estimate energy savings compared to the Benchmark using Equations 

11–13. These equations use default assumptions for lamp and fixture characteristics, and we 

assume that the more efficient lamps are first applied to the room types with the highest average 

daily use. A take-back effect of 10% in the form of increased operating hours for energy-efficient 

lighting is also applied.

NCTH interior hard wired lighting (kWh/yr) = LHW × {[(FInc,HW+0.34) + (FCFL,HW-0.21) × 

0.27 + FLED,HW × 0.30 + (FLF,HW -0.13) × 0.17] × SAF × 0.9 + 0.1} (11)

where

LHW = hard-wired interior lighting for the Benchmark from Equation 7 

(kWh/yr)

FInc,HW = fraction of hard-wired interior lamps in the NCTH that are 

incandescent

FCFL,HW = fraction of hard-wired interior lamps in the NCTH that are compact 

fluorescent

FLED,HW = fraction of hard-wired interior lamps in the NCTH that are LED

FLF,HW = fraction of hard-wired interior lamps in the NCTH that are linear 

fluorescent

SAF = Smart replacement algorithm factor: 

1.1 × FInc

4 - 1.9 × FInc3 + 1.5 × FInc2 - 0.7 × FInc + 1

NCTH garage lighting (kWh/yr) = LGAR × {[(FInc,GAR+0.34) + 

(FCFL,GAR-0.21) × 0.27 + FLED,GAR × 0.30 + (FLF,GAR -0.13) × 0.17] × 0.9 + 0.1} (12)

where

LGAR = garage lighting for the Benchmark from Equation 9 (kWh/yr)

FInc,GAR = fraction of lamps in the garage that are incandescent

FCFL,GAR = fraction of lamps in the garage that are compact fluorescent

FLED,GAR = fraction of lamps in the garage that are LED

FLF,GAR = fraction of lamps in the garage that are linear fluorescent

NCTH outdoor lighting (kWh/yr) = LOUT × {[(FInc,OUT+0.34) + 

(FCFL,OUT-0.21) × 0.27 + FLED,OUT × 0.30 + (FLF,OUT -0.13) × 0.17] × 0.9 + 0.1} (13)

where

LOUT = outdoor lighting for the Benchmark from Equation 10 (kWh/yr)

FInc,OUT = fraction of outdoor lamps that are incandescent

FCFL,OUT = fraction of outdoor lamps that are compact fluorescent
19

FLED,OUT = fraction of outdoor lamps that are LED

FLF,OUT = fraction of outdoor lamps that are linear fluorescent

Option 2:

The Benchmark and NCTH lighting energy use for Option 2 are both calculated using the BA 

Analysis Spreadsheet. The Benchmark uses fixed values for recommended room lighting levels

(Table 16), operating hours per day per room (Table 20), average efficacies for a given room 

type, fraction of hard-wired lighting per room type, and primary fixture type (Table 15). All 

other parameters are user inputs that are used by both the Benchmark and the NCTH. 

Table 15. Fixed Values for Benchmark Calculation for Option 2

Room Type Average Efficacy

(lm/W) Fraction Hard-Wired Primary Fixture Type

Bathroom 29.3 1.00 Vanity

Bedroom 26.9 0.61 Closed ceiling

Closet (large) 33.9 1.00 Bare bulb

Dining room 21.3 1.00 Chandelier 

Family room 27.6 0.50 Indirect ceiling

Garage 73.7 1.00 Bare bulb

Hall/stairs 24.5 1.00 Closed ceiling

Kitchen 47.0 1.00 Closed ceiling

Living room 27.6 0.29 Indirect ceiling

Home office 33.5 0.61 Closed ceiling

Utility /laundry 45.6 1.00 Bare bulb

Unfinished basement 56.2 1.00 Bare bulb

Outdoor 25.6 1.00 Outdoor

Other 46.3 1.00 Globe

Multi-Family Common Spaces

Common laundry 24.3 1.00 Utility/strip

Office 24.3 0.61 Utility/strip

Indoor corridor 24.3 1.00 Closed ceiling

Workout room 24.3 1.00 Utility/strip

Equipment room 24.3 1.00 Utility/strip

Central restroom 24.3 1.00 Recessed downlight

Multipurpose room 24.3 0.50 Recessed downlight

Outdoor walkway 24.3 1.00 Globe

Outdoor stairs 24.3 1.00 Globe

Parking garage 24.3 1.00 Closed ceiling (utility)

Open parking 24.3 1.00 Outdoor wall mount

Common mail 24.3 1.00 Globe

Elevator 24.3 1.00 Recessed downlight
20

Option 2 uses a location-dependent normalized hourly interior hard-wired lighting profile 

derived from a 100-house study in the United Kingdom (Stokes et al 2004). The study was used 

to derive the effects of the city location (sunrise and sunset) as well as the month of the year (e.g. 

December versus June). For illustration purposes only, an example of one detailed set of profiles 

for International Falls, Minnesota, is shown in Figure 2. Other profiles can be calculated using 

the spreadsheet available on the BA Web site. Profiles generated using the spreadsheet are 

normalized, and must be combined with annual lighting energy values, which are calculated 

separately.

Figure 2. Interior and garage lighting profile (International Falls, Minnesota)

In Option 2, the plug-in lighting for the NCTH (or housing unit) is determined by the difference 

between the required footcandles (fc) (Table 16 and Table 17) for a given room type and the total 

installed hard-wired footcandles for that room. Efficacy values for the Benchmark (See Table 15) 

are used as defaults for the plug-in lighting in the NCTH, but may be changed with sufficient 

justification. 

To use Option 2, details such as lamp type (e.g., incandescent versus compact florescent) and 

fixture type (e.g., track versus pendant light) must be known variables. Default values for all 

relevant variables are also available in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. The analyst may override 

any default values if better information is available and the revisions are documented. For the 

NCTH, rooms that contain more lighting than is recommended by Table 16 and Table 17 will be 

penalized. 

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

Hourly Average Power (kW)

Hour of Day

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec
21

The illuminance for each room type is based on an engineering interpretation of the horizontal 

illuminance levels by Rea et al. (2000). Values for each indoor space type, for all housing types, 

are shown in Table 16. Some entries include a series of several room types with similar 

illuminance requirements. For simplicity, in the tables that follow and in the BA Analysis 

Spreadsheet, the first room type in each series will be used as shorthand for all similar room 

types. Multi-family common space illumination values are found in Table 17. Note: All 

footcandle levels are measured at a three-foot work plane for most indoor spaces and on the 

ground for hallways. 

For outdoor lighting, there is no footcandle requirement. Instead, the total lumens used for the 

NCTH are also used for the Benchmark. Savings are then based on the efficacy of the lamps used 

in the NCTH compared to the Benchmark. 

Table 16. Single- and Multi-Family Room Lighting Levels

Room Type

Lighting 

Requirements

(fc)

Room Type

Lighting 

Requirements

(fc)

Bathroom 17.5 Hall, stairway, foyer 3.0

Bedroom 12.5 Kitchen, breakfast nook 19.0

Closet 5.0 Living room, great room 6.0

Dining room 6.5 Home office, den, study 11.8

Family room, recreation room 8.8 Utility room 17.5

Garage 5.0 Other, library 12.5

Unfinished basement 5.0

Table 17. Multi-Family Common Space Illumination

Area Type Lighting Requirements

(footcandles)

Common laundry 30

Common office 30

Indoor corridor 15

Workout room 15

Equipment room 30

Central restroom 15

Multipurpose room 15

Source: IESNA Lighting Handbook, Security Lighting for People, Property & Spaces

The illumination at the horizontal plane can be determined by Equation 14. This calculation is 

required for all indoor spaces, and is automated in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. 

Horizontal Illuminance (fc) = (lumens/lamp) × NLa × COU × LLF/(FFA of room) (14)

where

NLa = number of lamps in the room 

COU = coefficient of utilization (Table 18) 
22

LLF = light loss factor (0.8 for all fixture types)

FFA = finished floor area of the room

Default COUs for common fixture types are listed in Table 18 for rooms with a room cavity ratio 

of 0.5, ceiling reflectance of 80%, and wall reflectance of 50%. The BA Analysis Spreadsheet 

can be used to estimate COU for other room shapes.

Table 18. Coefficient of Utilization by Fixture Type

Fixture Type Picture of Fixture Type Default Coefficient of 

Utilization

Accent/wall washing 0.30

Bare bulb 0.46

Chandelier 0.40

Lensed ceiling (closed ceiling) 0.23

Downlight pendant 0.58

Inverted pendant or indirect 

ceiling 0.44

Kitchen surface fixture 0.46
23

Fixture Type Picture of Fixture Type Default Coefficient of 

Utilization

LED

(Source: iStockphoto.com)

0.75

Rangehood/task 0.29

Recessed downlights 

(assumes a white reflector) 0.36

Track 0.43

Utility (strip) 0.43

Vanity 0.42*

*Estimated using engineering interpretation of the IES Handbook (Rea et. al. 1993)

**Pictures and COU values in 

Table 18. Coefficient of Utilization by Fixture Type provided by Lithonia (www.lithonia.com) unless otherwise noted. Used by 

permission.

Once the fixture type and room characteristics are defined, the efficacy (lumens/Watt) is used to 

determine if the footcandle requirement is met in a particular room. These values will differ 

depending on the type of lamp that is used in a given fixture. We used multiple references to 

develop default values for common lamp types for the Benchmark and NCTH lamps (Table 19). 

These defaults may be modified for the NCTH with sufficient justification.
24

Table 19. Default Efficacy by Lamp Type

Lamp Type Default Efficacy

Incandescent 15

Linear fluorescent (T5) 104

Linear fluorescent (T8) 88

Linear fluorescent (T12) 82

Compact fluorescent (CFL) 55

Miscellaneousfluorescent 85

High pressure sodium 90

Metal halide 75

Light-emitting diode (LED) 50

For Either Option:

The lighting plans for the NCTH and Benchmark shall use the hours of operation listed in Table 

20, unless the NCTH includes specific design measures, such as occupancy sensors, dimming 

switches, or a building automation system, that alter the operating time of the lighting system. 

Table 20. Average Lighting Operating Hours for Room Types

Room Type

Operation 

(Hours/Day/Room) Room Type

Operation 

(Hours/Day/Room)

SingleFamilyMultiFamilySingleFamilyMultiFamily

Bathroom 1.79 1.80 Kitchen 2.99 2.60

Bedroom 1.18 1.25 Living room 2.72 3.00

Closet 1.05 0.67 Office 1.51 1.20

Dining room 2.52 3.08 Outdoor 2.91 N/A

Family room 1.82 1.25 Utility room 1.72 1.21

Garage 1.98 N/A Other 0.80 N/A

Hall 1.53 1.27 Unfinished Basement 0.98 N/A

Source: Navigant Consulting 2002, after applying a 10% takeback for average efficacy improvements.

For common areas in multi-family buildings, the lighting operating hours are 24 h/day, every day 

of the year for the central laundry room, indoor corridors, and elevators. Outdoor lighting should 

be scheduled to operate from dusk to dawn. Specific hours will depend on location and time of 

year, but an example for St. Louis is shown in Figure 3. The other common room lighting hours 

are shown in Figure 4. The lighting profile for a multi-purpose room is the same as for an office. 
25 

Figure 3. Normalized hourly profile for outdoor areas in multi-family housing

Figure 4. Percentage of total wattage turned on per hour of day for common areas in multi-family 

housing 

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Daily Energy

Hour of Day

Jan Feb Mar Apr

May Jun Jul Aug

Sep Oct Nov Dec

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Available Wattage

Time of Day

Workout Facility Office Public Restroom
26

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads

As with lighting, several characteristics must be defined for appliances and miscellaneous 

electric loads (MELs): the amount, schedule, location, fraction that becomes a sensible load, and 

fraction that becomes a latent load. Though the internal load may be treated as an aggregate, the 

energy consumption for each end use must be considered separately. A breakdown of annual 

energy consumption and associated internal loads for major appliances and other equipment is 

shown in Table 21 (Jiang et al. 2008 and Sachs 2005 for multi-family). We assumed for 

modeling purposes that all major appliances are present in both the Benchmark and the NCTH, 

even in cases where the builder does not provide all appliances (except the clothes washer in 

cases where the NCTH is a housing unit in a multi-family building with a common laundry 

room). Not all energy consumed by appliances is converted into internal load; much of the waste 

heat is exhausted to the outside or released down the drain in the form of hot water. For 

appliances covered by federal appliance standards, the loads were derived by NREL from 

EnergyGuide labels for typical models available on the market that met the minimum standards 

in effect as of January 1, 2010. The California Energy Commission Appliance Database (CEC 

2010) was used for appliances that are not covered by federal standards. Sensible and latent heat 

loads are estimates based on engineering judgment.

The loads from most appliances and MELs are assumed to be a function of the number of 

bedrooms and the FFA. The exceptions are the refrigerator and certain miscellaneous gas and 

electric loads, which are assumed to be constant regardless of the number of bedrooms. The 

general relationship between appliance loads, number of bedrooms, and house size was derived 

empirically from the 2001 RECS. 

NREL developed a methodology for calculating energy savings associated with the most 

common MELs in a typical house (Hendron and Eastment 2006). Approximately 100 MELs in 

this category are listed in Table 22. If the analyst chooses to use anything other than the 

Benchmark MEL values for the NCTH, he or she must use the BA Analysis Spreadsheet for new 

construction to calculate energy savings, latent and sensible loads, and the split between standby 

and operating energy. This spreadsheet allows the analyst to change the quantity of each MEL in 

the NCTH, and the operating and standby power levels only. Operating hours cannot be changed, 

but a lower “effective” power draw may be used if occupancy sensors or other controls are used 

to turn off power to MELs that are not in use. In addition, only those MELs that are installed or 

provided by the builder may be included in the energy savings analysis. The remaining MELs in 

the NCTH revert to the default values used for the Benchmark. References for the typical MEL 

characteristics used in the calculations are documented in the “Detailed MEL Analysis” tab of 

the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. 
27

Table 21. Annual Appliance Loads and MELs for the Benchmark1

Appliance Electricity

(kWh/yr)

Natural Gas

(therms/yr)

Sensible Load 

Fraction

Latent Load

Fraction

Refrigerator 434 1.00 0.00

Clothes washer (3.2 ft3 drum) 38.8 + 12.9 × Nbr 0.80 0.00

Clothes dryer (electric) 538.2 + 179.4 × Nbr 0.15 0.05

Clothes dryer (gas) 43 + 14.3 × Nbr 19.5 + 6.5 × Nbr

1.00 (Electric)

0.10 (Gas)

0.00 (Electric)

0.05 (Gas)

Dishwasher (8 place settings) 87.6 + 29.2 × Nbr 0.60 0.15

Range (electric)*** 250 + 83 × Nbr 0.40 0.30

Range (gas)**** 40 + 13.3 × Nbr 14.3 + 4.8 × Nbr 0.30 0.20

Miscellaneous loads 

(gas/electric house)

1595 + 248 × Nbr+ 

0.426 × FFA 

3.7 + 0.6 × Nbr+ 

0.001 × FFA 0.734 0.20

Miscellaneous loads (allelectric house)1703 + 266 × Nbr+ 

0.454 × FFA 0.734 0.20

Multi-Family Common Space MELs

Office 3.2*FFA 1.00 0.00

Workout room 9.8*FFA 1.00 0.00

Corridor/restroom/mech. 0

Elevator 1,900 1.00 0.00

Multi-Purpose Room MELs

Television 673** 1.00 0.00

Refrigerator 434 1.00 0.00

Dishwasher 52* 0.60 0.15

Range (electric) 62.4* 0.40 0.30

Range (gas) 4.6* 0.30 0.20

Microwave 78* 1.00 0.00

*Assuming 1 h/wk use (data from appliance usage list from PSNH: The Northeast Utility System)

**Assuming on during office hours (Data from appliance usage list from PSNH: The Northeast Utility System)

*** Assuming 74% EF cooktop, 11% EF oven

**** Assuming 40% EF cooktop, 5.8% EF oven with electronic ignition

Table 22. Example of Benchmark Annual Consumption for MELs and Gas Loads

(based on an NCTH with three bedrooms and 1,920 ft2

)

MEL Average Units/

Household

Energy/Unit

(kWh/yr)

Energy/Household

(kWh/yr)

Hard-Wired

Fan (ceiling) 1.840 84.1 154.7

Air handler standby losses 0.800 67.2 53.8

Hvac controls 1.000 20.3 20.3

Home security system 0.235 61.3 14.4

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) 3.850 6.2 23.9

 1 End-use loads in this table include only energy used within the machine. Associated DHW use is treated separately 

(see “Domestic Hot Water”). The BA Analysis Spreadsheet can assist with the calculation of this split for an energyefficient clothes washer or dishwasher based on the Energy Guide label.
28

MEL Average Units/

Household

Energy/Unit

(kWh/yr)

Energy/Household

(kWh/yr)

Sump pump 0.099 40.0 3.9

Heat lamp 0.010 13.0 0.1

Garage door opener 0.266 35.0 9.3

Carbon monoxide detector 0.260 17.5 4.6

Smoke detectors 0.840 3.5 2.9

Garbage disposal 0.404 10.0 4.0

Doorbell 0.670 44.0 29.5

Home Entertainment

First color TV 0.890 309.7 275.7

Second color TV 0.610 169.9 103.7

Third color TV 0.340 125.4 42.6

Fourth color TV 0.150 120.3 18.0

Fifth or more color TV 0.060 76.4 4.6

Digital TV 0.330 391.9 129.3

VCR 1.255 47.2 59.2

DVD player or recorder/player 1.192 30.0 35.7

DVD/VCR combo 0.333 49.8 16.6

Video gaming system 0.312 20.4 6.4

Clock radio 1.345 14.9 20.1

Boombox/portable stereo 0.348 16.8 5.8

Compact stereo 0.661 81.3 53.8

Component/rack stereo 0.434 121.4 52.7

Power speakers 0.296 24.4 7.2

Subwoofer 0.099 68.3 6.7

Radio 0.493 9.1 4.5

Equalizer 0.049 14.7 0.7

Satellite dish box 0.230 125.9 29.0

Cable box 0.574 134.1 77.0

Personal video recorders 0.013 236.5 3.1

Home theater (HTIB) 0.217 88.7 19.3

Kitchen

Microwave 0.879 131.2 115.4

Freezer 0.342 935.0 319.8

Extra refrigerator 0.221 1100.0 243.6

Coffee maker 0.610 61.2 37.3

Toaster oven 0.336 32.3 10.8

Toaster 0.904 45.9 41.5

Waffle iron 0.325 25.0 8.1

Blender 0.788 7.0 5.5

Can opener 0.650 3.0 2.0

Electric grill 0.010 180.0 1.8

Hand mixer 0.877 2.0 1.8

Electric griddle 0.256 6.0 1.5

Popcorn popper 0.305 5.0 1.5

Espresso machine 0.069 19.0 1.3

Instant hot water dispenser 0.006 160.0 1.0

Hot plate 0.236 30.0 7.1

Food slicer 0.414 1.0 0.4

Electric knife 0.374 1.0 0.4

Broiler 0.010 80.0 0.8

Deep fryer 0.148 20.0 3.0

Bottled water 0.010 300.0 3.0
29

MEL Average Units/

Household

Energy/Unit

(kWh/yr)

Energy/Household

(kWh/yr)

Trash compactor 0.010 50.0 0.5

Slow cooker/crock pot 0.581 16.0 9.3

Home Office

Laptop PC (Plugged In) 0.287 72.1 20.7

Desktop PC w/Speakers 0.906 234.0 212.1

PC monitor 0.906 85.1 77.1

Printer (laser) 0.049 92.5 4.5

Printer (inkjet) 0.660 15.5 10.2

Dot matrix printer 0.030 115.0 3.5

DSL/cable modem 0.359 52.6 18.9

Scanner 0.050 49.0 2.4

Copy machine 0.086 25.0 2.1

Fax machine 0.115 326.3 37.6

Multifunction device 0.217 58.8

Bathroom

Hair dryer 0.861 41.1 35.4

Curling iron 0.532 1.0 0.5

Electric shaver 0.243 1.0 0.2

Electric toothbrush charger 0.078 11.5 0.9

Beard trimmer 0.067 1.0 0.1

Garage and Workshop

Auto block heater 0.007 250.0 1.8

Lawn mower (electric) 0.059 42.9 2.5

Heat tape 0.030 100.0 3.0

Kiln 0.020 50.0 1.0

Pipe and gutter heaters 0.010 53.0 0.5

Shop tools 0.130 26.4 3.4

Cordless power tool chargers 0.443 16.0 7.1

Other

Humidifier 0.128 100.0 12.8

Waterbed 0.023 1095.9 24.7

Small freshwater aquarium (5–20 gal) 0.024 105.0 2.5

Medium freshwater aquarium (20–40 gal) 0.024 180.0 4.3

Large freshwater aquarium (40-60 gal) 0.024 340.0 8.1

Small marine aquarium (5–20 gal) 0.002 245.0 0.6

Medium marine aquarium (20–40 gal) 0.002 615.0 1.5

Large marine aquarium (40–60 gal) 0.002 740.0 1.8

Vacuum cleaner (upright) 0.983 42.2 41.5

Clock 0.956 26.0 24.8

Cordless phone charger 1.557 27.3 42.6

Cell phone charger 1.739 3.5 6.0

Electric blanket 0.286 120.0 34.3

Answering machine 0.568 33.5 19.0

Battery charger – camcorder 0.557 2.3 1.3

Battery charger – digital camera 0.032 7.2 0.2

Battery charger – PDA 0.183 6.1 1.1

Battery charger – toy 0.002 12.8 0.0

Battery charger – two-way radio 0.200 3.9 0.8

Battery charger – MP3 player 0.200 5.6 1.1

Battery charger – stand-alone 0.075 1.0 0.1

Fan (portable) 0.946 11.3 10.7

Air cleaner 0.217 65.7 14.2
30

MEL Average Units/

Household

Energy/Unit

(kWh/yr)

Energy/Household

(kWh/yr)

Vacuum cleaner (cordless) 0.183 41.0 7.5

Heating pads 0.670 3.0 2.0

Surge protector/power strip 0.360 3.9 1.4

Timer (lighting) 0.280 20.1 5.6

Timer (irrigation) 0.050 45.2 2.3

Iron 0.922 52.7 48.6

Baby monitor 0.100 22.8 2.3

Large Uncommon MELs and MGLs

Pool heater (electric) 0.004 2300.0 8.3

Pool pump (electric) 0.075 1102.0 82.3

Hot tub/spa (electric heating and pump) 0.048 2040.7 97.4

Hot tub/spa pump (electric for gas spa) 0.038 460.0 17.5

Well pump (electric) 0.127 400.0 50.8

Gas fireplace 0.032 1760.0 57.0

Gas grill 0.029 879.0 25.5

Gas lighting 0.012 1671.0 19.6

Pool heater (gas) 0.014 6506.0 87.8

Hot tub/spa heater (gas) 0.011 2374.0 25.6

Other 1.000 9.4 9.4

Total MEL Load 3373

Site Generation

There is rarely any site electricity generation in a 2010 vintage house. This is a reflection of the 

low market penetration of site electricity systems. Therefore, all electricity for the Benchmark is 

purchased from the local utility. 

Modeling the NCTH

The NCTH is modeled either as-designed or as-built, depending on the status of the project. All 

parameters for the NCTH model shall be based on final design specifications or measured data, 

with the following exceptions and clarifications:

Any house characteristics that are unknown and are not part of the package of energy efficiency 

improvements shall be the same as the Benchmark.

The ELA for the NCTH shall be calculated based on blower door testing conducted in 

accordance with ASTM (2003). Guarded blower door tests shall be conducted in attached and 

multi-family housing to disaggregate leakage to the outside from leakage to adjacent units (see 

SWA 1995 for guidance on this technique). If the whole-house simulation tool cannot calculate 

hourly infiltration based on effective leakage area, an annual average natural infiltration rate may 

be used based on the guidelines in ASHRAE Standard 119 (ASHRAE 1988), Section 5, and 

ASHRAE Standard 136 (ASHRAE 1993), Section 4.

If the NCTH does not have a cooling system, but there is a non-zero cooling load, the NCTH 

shall be modeled assuming a standard 13 SEER air conditioner connected to the heating ducts. If 

the NCTH does not have a duct system for heating, the air conditioner shall be modeled as a 

ductless 9 EER room air conditioner.
31

Mechanical ventilation shall be combined with natural infiltration in accordance with Section 4.4 

of ASHRAE Standard 136 to determine an approximate combined infiltration rate. 

A flow rate of 100 cfm shall be used for the NCTH clothes dryer if the actual flow rate is 

unknown. If the dryer flow rate for the NCTH is known, the actual NCTH flow rate shall be 

used. Interaction with whole-house infiltration shall be included in the model.

The openable window area shall be 33% unless specific provisions have been taken to increase 

this percentage, for example by installing hinged casement windows.

If the actual EER for the NCTH is not readily available, Equation 15 may be used to make an 

approximate conversion from SEER to EER (Wassmer 2003):

EER = –0.02 × SEER2 + 1.12 × SEER (15)

If the NCTH has a hot water distribution system different from the Benchmark (see Table 11), 

the equations in Table 18 of the December 2008 Benchmark Definition (Hendron 2008) shall be 

used to determine the change in daily hot water volume, the internal heat gain, the change in 

recovery load on the water heater, and any special pump energy. These calculations are 

automated in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. For any distribution system type not listed, other 

than centralized DHW in multi-family housing, the Benchmark distribution system shall be 

applied to both houses, unless the analyst has performed a detailed energy analysis of the 

distribution system using HWSIM or a similar tool. For centralized DHW systems, a detailed

analysis is required to estimate distribution losses and pump energy. For all distribution systems, 

the heat gain, recovery load, and pump energy shall be applied using the combined hourly DHW 

profile in Figure 9. The change in hot water use shall be applied in accordance with the 

corresponding end-use DHW profile. The BA Analysis Spreadsheet automates these calculations 

based on the distribution system characteristics entered for the NCTH.

If the builder does not provide a clothes washer in the NCTH house, housing unit, or a common 

laundry room, the NCTH shall be modeled with the Benchmark clothes washer and dryer in an 

appropriate location. 

The optional DHW event characteristics for the Benchmark (see Table 10) may be modified if 

the NCTH includes low-flow fixtures, an alternative distribution system, or energy efficient 

appliances. The DHW Event Generation Tool must be used to create the event schedules for the 

NCTH if the Standard DHW Event Schedules are not used.

Energy-saving appliances or other equipment may reduce hot water consumption for certain end 

uses, decrease the internal sensible and latent loads, or affect the hourly operating profiles. 

Energy savings calculations for the NCTH must take these effects into account using operating 

conditions based on rules developed for DOE residential appliance standards (DOE 2003a), and 

the actual performance characteristics of the appliances. The number of cycles per year specified 

in the appliance standard for clothes washers is adjusted according to the number of bedrooms 

and the clothes washer capacity, using Equation 16:

Clothes washer cycles per year = (392) × (1⁄2+Nbr/6) × 12.5 lb/Wtest (16)

where

Wtest = maximum clothes washer test load weight found in 10 CFR Part 

430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, as a function of the washer capacity 

in ft3

.
32

Nbr = number of bedrooms.

A dryer usage factor (DUF) is applied to the clothes washer cycles to determine the number of 

annual dryer cycles, using Equation 17:

Clothes dryer cycles per year = DUF × clothes washer cycles per year (17)

where

DUF = 0.84.

The dishwasher annual operating cycles are similarly calculated, using Equation 18: 

Dishwasher cycles per year = (215) × (1⁄2 + Nbr/6) (18)

The BA Analysis Spreadsheet automates the calculations for appliances. The spreadsheet 

includes equations to help analysts calculate energy savings for efficient clothes washers, clothes 

dryers, and dishwashers. It calculates the split between hot water and machine energy based on 

the EnergyGuide label, estimates dryer energy savings for clothes washers that reduce remaining 

moisture content, adjusts energy use for hot water and cold water temperatures for the NCTH 

that are different from the test values (140°F and 60°F/50°F), and adjusts for the type of controls 

present (thermostatic control valves, boost heating, cold water only). Both annual average and 

monthly average hot water uses are calculated in the spreadsheet. 

Energy savings for a new range may be credited only if an EF has been determined in 

accordance with the DOE test procedures for cooking appliances (DOE 1997). Annual energy 

consumption is then estimated as the annual useful cooking energy output as defined in the same 

test procedure (see Table 23) divided by the EF, plus 40 + 13.3 × Nbr kWh/yr for gas ranges with 

electric glo-bar ignition. This calculation is also automated in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. If 

the EF is unknown for a new range, the NCTH energy use for cooking is assumed to be the same 

as for the Benchmark. 

Table 23. Useful Cooking Energy Output for Gas and Electric Ranges

State Useful Cooking Energy Output 

Electric cooktop 86.5 + 28.9 × Nbr kWh/yr

Electric oven 14.6 + 4.9 × Nbr kWh/yr

Gas cooktop 2.64 + 0.88 × Nbr therms/yr

Gas oven 0.44 + 0.15 × Nbr therms/yr

Modifications to the Benchmark lighting profile and operating hours caused by occupancy 

sensors or other controls may be considered for the NCTH, but negative and positive effects on 

space conditioning load must also be calculated, assuming 100% of interior lighting energy 

contributes to the internal sensible load.

The lighting calculations necessary for the NCTH are documented in the Benchmark section of 

this report.

Internal heat gains associated with all end uses shall be adjusted in proportion to the difference in 

energy use for the NCTH relative to the Benchmark, and the hourly profile for internal heat gains 

shall be the same as the corresponding Benchmark hourly profile for energy use.
33

For the NCTH, all site electricity generation is credited regardless of energy source. Residentialscale photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, fuel cells, and micro-cogeneration systems are all 

potential sources of electricity generated on the site. An offset must be applied to this electricity 

credit equal to the amount of purchased energy used in the on-site generation process. 
34

Existing Homes

This section provides a proposed set of guidelines for estimating the energy savings achieved by 

a package of retrofits or an extensive rehabilitation of an existing home. BA developed a set of 

standard operating conditions that will be used for a building simulation model to objectively 

compare energy use before and after a series of retrofits is completed. Actual occupant behavior 

is extremely important for determining the cost effectiveness of a retrofit package, especially if 

the homeowner is paying the bills. But for tracking progress toward programmatic goals, and for 

comparing the performance of one house to another, a hypothetical set of occupants with typical 

behavioral patterns must be used. 

Certain field test and audit methods are also described. These tests help establish accurate 

building system performance characteristics that are needed for a meaningful simulation of 

whole-house energy use. Several sets of default efficiency values have also been developed for 

certain older appliances that cannot be easily tested and for which published specifications are 

not readily available.

Analysis Tools Specific to Existing Buildings

Most simulation tools that are useful for new residential construction are also applicable to 

residential retrofit analysis. Certain tools such as TREAT offer additional features such as sideby-side comparisons, automated efficiency package recommendations, and utility bill 

analysis/reconciliation. Further information about TREAT and a number of other useful tools for 

retrofit analysis of both residential and commercial buildings can be found in the DOE Energy 

Software Tools Directory (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory). 

NREL does not recommend that utility bills be heavily relied on as a tool for model validation in 

the context of research houses, except as an approximate check of model accuracy. There are two 

important reasons for this position:

It is extremely difficult to accurately determine occupant behavior during the time period 

reflected in the utility bills.

The large number of uncertain input parameters allows multiple ways to reconcile the model 

with the small number of utility bills, and there is no reliable methodology for performing this 

calibration because the problem is mathematically undetermined.

Instead, detailed inspections, short-term testing, and long-term monitoring should be used to the 

greatest extent possible to minimize the uncertainty in model inputs. Default values may be used 

when certain building features are inaccessible (wall insulation) or efficiency characteristics 

cannot be readily determined through inspection or short-term testing (furnace AFUE). The 

effects of maintenance and repairs should always be considered when using default values for 

equipment efficiency or the amount of insulation.

Throughout the remainder of this section, the term Pre-Retrofit Case refers to the state of an 

existing house immediately before it undergoes a series of upgrades, repairs, additions, or 

renovations. These measures may be limited to a focused set of energy efficiency improvements 

to the house or may be part of a larger remodeling or gut rehabilitation effort. The term PostRetrofit Case refers to the same existing house after the package of improvements is complete. 
35

Pre-Retrofit Specifications

Any element of the Pre-Retrofit Case that is not specifically addressed in the following sections, 

or is not changed as part of the package of energy efficiency measures, is assumed to be the same 

as the Post-Retrofit Case.

Building Envelope

To the extent possible, all building envelope components (including walls, windows, foundation, 

roof, and floors) for the Pre-Retrofit Case shall be based on physical inspections, audits, design 

specifications, or measured data. Co-heating (Judkoff et al. 2000), or infrared imaging during 

cold weather can provide useful information about the insulation quality of the house without 

damaging the building envelope. A short-term monitoring test (STEM) can provide the overall 

building loss coefficient and thermal mass (Judkoff et al. 2000), but in most retrofit scenarios a 

STEM test is overly expensive and would not provide data that could be easily factored into a 

detailed building simulation.

If detailed envelope characteristics cannot be obtained, then insulation levels consistent with the 

local energy code at the time of construction shall be used. If no energy code was in effect, or the 

code cannot be readily obtained, then the following default specifications may be used:

• R-values for cavity insulation in exterior 2 × 4 or 2 × 6 wood frame walls from Table 24.

Table 24. Default R-Values for Framed Wall Cavity Insulation

(based in part on Huang and Gu 2002)

Framed Wall 

Construction Type

Year of Construction

1990+ 1980–1989 1950–1979 Pre-1950

2 × 4 13 11 0 0

2 × 6 19 17 0 0

R-values for cavity insulation in closed rafter roofs from Table 25.

Table 25. Default R-Values for Cavity Insulation in Cathedral Ceilings and Closed-Rafter Roofs

Roof Construction 

Type

Year of Construction

1990+ 1980–1989 1950–1979 Pre-1950 Pre-1920

2 × 6 13 9 0 0 0

2 × 10 19 15 0 0 0

• R-values for cavity insulation in floors over unconditioned space from Table 26.
36

Table 26. Default R-Values for Floors Above Conditioned Spaces

(based in part on Huang and Gu 2002)

BA Climate Region

Year of Construction

1990+ 1980–1989 1950–1979 Pre-1950 Pre-1920

Cold, Very Cold, 

Subarctic, Marine 23 23 0 0 0

All others 0 0 0 0 0

• Insulation thickness in all other locations shall be measured, and the default nominal Rvalues per inch and R-value derating in Table 27 shall be applied. The derating is 

consistent with Grade III installation quality (RESNET 2006)

Table 27. Default R-Values for Common Insulation Types

(DOE 2003a; E-Star Colorado 2005, REM/Rate Version 12.41 )

Insulation Material Nominal R-Value/in. R-Value Derating

High density fiberglass batt 3.8/in. 19%

Low density fiberglass batt 3.1/in. 19%

Loose fill fiberglass 3.2/ in. 19%

Cellulose (blown, wet or dry) 3.7/in. 19%

Expanded polystyrene (eps) 4.0/in. 0%

Extruded polystyrene (xps) 5.0/in. 0%

Open cell polyurethane foam 3.6/in. 0%

Closed cell polyurethane foam 6.5/in. 0%

Rigid polyisocyanurate 7.2/in. 0%

• Default U-values for vertical fenestration, including windows and sliding glass doors, 

from Table 4 in Chapter 15 of ASHRAE (2009).

• Total assembly SHGC for vertical fenestration from Table 10 in Chapter 15 of ASHRAE 

(2009).

• Default solar absorptivity equal to 0.60 for opaque areas of exterior walls and from Table 

28 for opaque areas of roofs.
37 

Table 28. Default Solar Absorptances for Common Roofing Surfaces

(Parker et al. 2000).

Roof Material Absorptance Roof Material Absorptance 

Composition Shingles Wood Shingles

Dark 0.92 Dark 0.90

Medium 0.85 Medium 0.80

Light 0.75

Concrete/cement

Tile/Slate Dark 0.90

Dark 0.90 Medium 0.75

Medium 0.75 Light 0.60

Terra cotta 0.65 White 0.30

Light 0.60

White 0.30 Membrane

Dark 0.90

Metal Medium 0.75

Dark 0.90 Light 0.60

Medium 0.75 White 0.30

Galvanized, unfinished 0.70

Light 0.60 Built-up (gravel surface)

Galvalum, unfinished 0.35 Dark 0.92

White 0.30 Medium 0.85

Light 0.75

• Default total infrared emittance of exterior walls and roofs equal to 0.90. 

• The default framing factors in Table 29 may be used for houses using wood construction. 

Table 29. Default Wood Framing Factors

Enclosure Element Frame Spacing

(in. on center)

Framing Fraction

(% area)

Living space walls 16 23%

Basement walls 16 18%

Floors/basement ceilings 16 13%

Attics/top floor ceilings 24 11%

Space Conditioning/Air Distribution Equipment

To the extent possible, the performance characteristics (efficiency and capacity) of all space 

conditioning components (including heating system, cooling system, dehumidification, air 

handler, and ducts) for the Pre-Retrofit Case shall be based on physical inspections, audits, 

design specifications, and measured data. An estimate of AFUE for a furnace or Heating 

Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) for a heat pump can be estimated by performing a co-
38

heating test to determine the building loss coefficient (Judkoff et al. 2000), then measuring the 

gas or electricity input over a period of time with known inside and outside temperatures. 

Because thermal mass and solar effects complicate this approach, it should ideally be conducted 

under near steady-state conditions at night. Field audit procedures for heating equipment have 

also been developed by LBNL (Szydlowski and Cleary 1988). Cooling efficiency is much more 

difficult to measure directly, and in most cases the manufacturers published data must be used, or 

default values if published performance data are not available.

Default furnace or boiler system efficiency may be calculated using Equation 19 in conjunction 

with the parameters in Table 30 if the actual efficiency of the equipment is unknown and cannot 

be readily obtained through field testing (for example, if the audit is conducted in the summer, 

the heating system is broken, or testing would be cost prohibitive). Typical base values for 

AFUE were obtained from ASHRAE (2008), EPRI (1987), and the Technical Support 

Documents for the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act appliance standards (DOE 

2004a). Default AFUE values for system configurations not listed in Table 29 may be estimated 

using these references. Estimates of degradation rates are partly based on the E-Source Space 

Heating Technology Atlas (E-Source 1993).

AFUE = (Base AFUE) × (1-M)age (19)

where 

Base AFUE = Typical efficiency of Pre-Retrofit equipment when new

M = Maintenance factor

Age = Age of equipment in years, up to a maximum of 20 years

For example, the default AFUE for a 10-year-old, poorly maintained oil furnace with a 

conventional burner would be calculated as follows:

AFUE = (71) × (1-0.025)10 = 55%.

Auxiliary electricity use for furnaces and boilers, including blowers and controls, shall be 

measured directly if possible. If accurate measurements cannot be made, the default values of 

auxiliary electricity use in Table 31 may be used.
39

Table 30. Default Furnace and Boiler System Efficiencies

(gas refers to either natural gas or propane)

Type of Space Heating Equipment Base

AFUE*

Maintenance Factor (M)

Annual 

Professional 

Maintenance

Seldom or 

Never 

Maintained

Condensing gas furnace 90 0.005 0.015

Gas furnace, direct vent or forced draft combustion, electronic 

ignition, in conditioned space 80 0.005 0.015

Gas furnace, natural draft combustion, vent damper, electronic 

ignition, in conditioned space 78 0.005 0.015

Gas furnace, natural draft combustion, standing pilot light, in 

conditioned space 75 0.005 0.015

Gas furnace, natural draft combustion, standing pilot light, no vent 

damper, in unconditioned space 64 0.005 0.015

Gas hot water boiler, natural draft combustion, standing pilot light 80 0.005 0.015

Gas steam boiler 81 0.005 0.015

Condensing gas boiler 90 0.005 0.015

Gas hot water/fan coil combo system 80 0.005 0.015

Gas boiler/tankless coil combo system 80 0.005 0.015

Gas space heater, fan type 73 0.005 0.015

Gas space heater, gravity type 60 0.005 0.015

Oil furnace, flame retention burner, vent dampers, in conditioned 

space

81 0.01 0.025

Oil furnace, conventional burner, no vent dampers, in conditioned 

space

71 0.01 0.025

Oil hot water boiler, forced draft combustion 80 0.01 0.025

Oil steam boiler 82 0.01 0.025

Electric resistance furnace or boiler, conditioned space 100 0 0

Electric resistance furnace or boiler, unconditioned space 98 0.001 0.001

Electric resistance baseboard heating 100 0 0

Electric space heater 100 0 0

* Combined Appliance AFUE or combo systems

Table 31. Default Heating System Blower and Auxiliary Electricity Consumption

Type of Heating Equipment Electricity/Capacity

Gas furnace (including mobile home furnace and PSC motor) 9.2 (kWh/yr)/(kBtu/h)

Gas hot water boiler with hydronic distribution 1.1 (kWh/yr)/(kBtu/h)

Gas boiler with forced air distribution 9.2 (kWh/yr)/(kBtu/h)

Oil furnace (with PSC motor) 8.0 (kWh/yr)/(kBtu/h)

Oil hot water boiler with hydronic distribution 2.3 (kWh/yr)/(kBtu/h)

Electric furnace Included in AFUE
40

A cooling system shall only be included in the Pre-Retrofit model if one is present in the actual 

test house before retrofits are installed. Analysis based on equivalent comfort is encouraged as 

valuable supplemental information, but is not used for the primary analysis relative to BA energy 

savings targets. 

The default air conditioner and heat pump efficiencies in Table 32 may be used if the actual 

efficiency cannot be calculated or measured. Base values for SEER, EER, and HSPF were 

obtained from the engineering analysis of appliance standards for air conditioners and heat 

pumps (DOE 2002), and from Wenzel et al. (1997). Default efficiencies for equipment not listed 

in the table may either be interpolated or estimated by referring to the original references. 

Table 32. Default Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Efficiencies

Type of Air Conditioning or Heat Pump 

Equipment 

Base

SEER

Base

EER

Base

HSPF

Maintenance Factor (M)

Annual 

Professional 

Maintenance

Seldom or 

Never 

Maintained

Split central air conditioner, two-speed reciprocating 

compressor, electronically commutated air handler 

motor (BPM), thermostatic expansion valve, 

fan coil

14 10.5 0.01 0.02

Split central air conditioner, single-speed scroll 

compressor, BPM air handler motor, cased coil 12 10.8 0.01 0.03

Split central air conditioner, single-speed 

reciprocating compressor, PSC air handler motor, 

cased coil (after 1991)

10 9.3 0.01 0.03

Split central air conditioner, single-speed 

reciprocating compressor, PSC air handler motor, 

cased coil (1981–1991)

8 7.7 0.01 0.03

Split central air conditioner, single-speed 

reciprocating compressor, PSC air handler motor, 

cased coil (before 1981)

6.5 6.4 0.01 0.03

Split heat pump, single-speed scroll compressor, 

BPM air handler motor, thermostatic expansion valve 14 10.5 8.0 0.01 0.03

Split heat pump, single-speed reciprocating 

compressor, PSC air handler motor (after 1991) 10 9.3 7.1 0.01 0.03

Split heat pump, single-speed reciprocating 

compressor, PSC air handler motor (1981–1991) 8 7.7 6.6 0.01 0.03

Split heat pump, single-speed reciprocating 

compressor, PSC air handler motor (before 1981) 6.5 6.4 6.0 0.01 0.03

Packaged central air conditioner, single-speed 

reciprocating compressor, PSC air handler motor 10 9.1 0.01 0.03

Packaged heat pump, single-speed reciprocating 

compressor, PSC air handler motor 10 9.1 6.8 0.01 0.03

Room air conditioner, louvered sides, cooling only, 

single-speed compressor, PSC fan motor, < 20,000 

Btu/h (after 1991)

9.75 0.01 0.03
41

Type of Air Conditioning or Heat Pump 

Equipment 

Base

SEER

Base

EER

Base

HSPF

Maintenance Factor (M)

Annual 

Professional 

Maintenance

Seldom or 

Never 

Maintained

Room air conditioner, louvered sides, cooling only, 

single-speed compressor, PSC fan motor, ≥ 20,000 

Btu/h (after 1991)

8.5 0.01 0.03

Room air conditioner, louvered sides, cooling only, 

single-speed compressor, PSC fan motor 

(1981–1991)

7.5 0.01 0.03

Room air conditioner, louvered sides, cooling only, 

single-speed compressor, PSC fan motor 

(before 1981)

6.5 0.01 0.03

Room electric heat pump, louvered sides, singlespeed compressor, PSC fan motor, < 20,000 Btu/h 9 0.01 0.03

Room electric heat pump, louvered sides, singlespeed compressor, PSC fan motor, ≥ 20,000 Btu/h 8.5 0.01 0.03

Direct evaporative cooling 25 0.02 0.05

Adjustments to efficiency related to age and quality of maintenance shall be applied in 

accordance with Equation 20. Performance degradation rates for cooling systems are based in 

part on a study done by LBNL for the California Energy Commission (Matson et al. 2002).

EFF = (Base EFF) × (1-M)age (20)

where 

Base EFF = Typical efficiency of pre-retrofit equipment when new (SEER, 

EER, or HSPF) 

M = Maintenance factor

Age = Age of equipment in years, up to a maximum of 20 years.

For houses with air ducts, the Pre-Retrofit Case shall be modeled using data collected through 

visual inspections, physical measurements, and duct leakage testing. Default values for duct 

leakage shall not be used. Pressurized duct leakage testing shall be conducted in accordance with 

ASTM (2007). Tracer gas testing of the air distribution system is encouraged when possible, and 

shall be conducted in accordance with Hancock et al. (2002). 

If the simulation tool does not permit the input of detailed duct specifications, then two values 

(one for heating, one for cooling) of seasonal DSE shall be estimated and applied to the heating 

and cooling system efficiencies to represent expected energy losses from ducts. The DSE values 

shall be estimated using the procedures in ASHRAE (2004a). 

For houses with hydronic space heating or cooling systems, a distribution efficiency of 95% shall 

be applied to the appliance efficiency, representing a small amount of energy loss through the 

pipes.
42

Domestic Hot Water

To the extent possible, the specifications of the DHW system in the Pre-Retrofit Case shall be 

based on audits, design specifications, physical measurements, and test data. Published data from 

the manufacturer provides the most reliable estimate of EF, because in-situ testing introduces 

several uncontrolled variables (such as water use and ambient temperature) that usually make a 

reliable measurement of standby loss impossible. The procedures to measure recovery efficiency 

and standby losses described by LBNL (Szydlowski and Cleary 1988) may be used in 

conjunction with the Building America Analysis Spreadsheet to give a rough estimate of EF. If 

EF cannot be determined by making direct measurements or examining the published 

performance data, the default specifications in Table 33 may be used, with age and maintenance 

adjustments in accordance with Equation 21. These defaults were largely derived from technical 

support documents for the Federal appliance standard for water heaters (DOE 2000a).

Table 33. Default DHW EFs, Based on Known Equipment Characteristics

(gas refers to either natural gas or propane)

Type of Water Heating Equipment Base

EF

Maintenance Factor (M)

Annual 

Professional 

Maintenance

Seldom or 

Never 

Maintained

Gas water heater, 40 gallon tank, pilot light, natural 

draft combustion, poorly insulated, no heat traps, poor 

heat recovery from flue.

0.45 0.005 0.01

Gas water heater, 40 gallon tank, pilot light, natural 

draft combustion, 1” insulation, no heat traps, standard

flue baffling.

0.54 0.005 0.01

Gas water heater, 40 gallon tank, intermittent ignition, 

forced draft combustion, 3” insulation, heat traps, 

enhanced flue baffling, flue/vent dampers

0.64 0.005 0.01

Gas instantaneous water heater* 0.76 0.005 0.01

Oil water heater, 32 gallon tank, intermittent ignition, 

forced draft combustion, poorly insulated, no heat 

traps, poor heat recovery from flue.

0.53 0.005 0.01

Oil water heater, 32 gallon tank, interrupted ignition, 

forced draft combustion, 3-in. insulation, heat traps, 

enhanced flue baffling.

0.61 0.005 0.01

Electric water heater, 50 gallon tank, poorly insulated, 

no heat traps. 0.79 0.001 0.002

Electric water heater, 50 gallon tank, 1.5-in. insulation, 

heat traps. 0.87 0.001 0.002

Electric water heater, 50 gallon tank, 3-in. insulation, 

heat traps. 0.90 0.001 0.002

Electric instantaneous water heater* 0.91 0 0

* Tankless water heaters are derated by 8% due to thermal losses that aren’t reflected in the standard DOE rating 

procedure.
43

EF = (Base EF) × (1-M)age (21)

where

Base EF = Typical efficiency of pre-retrofit equipment when purchased

M = Maintenance factor

Age = Age of equipment in years, up to a maximum of 20 years.

The BA Analysis Spreadsheet calculates the correct DHW inputs for the TRNSYS computer 

program, including standby heat loss coefficient, given basic equipment characteristics (EF, RE, 

etc.) (Burch 2004). Five major end uses have been identified for DHW: showers, sinks, baths, 

dishwasher, and clothes washer (see Table 34). For showers, baths, and sinks, the specified 

volume is the same as the value defined for the Benchmark and represents the combined volume 

of hot and cold water. For clothes washers and dishwashers, the BA Analysis Spreadsheet shall 

be used to estimate the Pre- and Post-Retrofit hot water consumption based on standard operating 

conditions and information listed on the EnergyGuide label. 

Table 34. Default DHW Consumption by End Use

End Use

End-Use 

Water 

Temperature

Water Usage Sensible Heat 

Gain Latent Heat Gain

Clothes washer Water heater 

set point

Calculated using 

MEF* in Table 36 0* 0**

Common laundry Water heater 

set point

Calculated using 

MEF in Table 36 0* 0**

Dishwasher Water heater 

set point

Calculated using EF 

in Table 35 0** 0**

Shower 110°F 14.0 + 4.67 × Nbr

gal/day

741 + 247 × Nbr

Btu/day

703 + 235 × Nbr

Btu/day (0.70 + 0.23 

× Nbr pints/day)

Bath 110°F 3.5 + 1.17 × Nbr

gal/day

185 + 62 × Nbr

Btu/day 0***

Sinks 110°F 12.5 + 4.16 × Nbr

gal/day

310 + 103 × Nbr

Btu/day

140 + 47 × Nbr

Btu/day (0.14 + 0.05 

× Nbr pints/day)

Office/public sink 110°F 0.028 × Nunits gal/day 0.69 × Nunits

Btu/day

0.314 × Nunits

Btu/day (3.14 × 10-4

× Nunits pints/day)

* Modified energy factor

** Sensible and latent heat gains from appliances are included in the section titled, “Appliances and Miscellaneous 

Electric Loads.”

** Negligible compared to showers and sinks.

If no EnergyGuide label is available, he default EF values for dishwashers (see Table 35) or 

modified energy factor (MEF) for clothes washers (see Table 36) shall be used for the PreRetrofit Case. 
44

Table 35. Default Dishwasher Characteristics

Equipment Characteristics EF

(load/kWh)

Power dry optional, multi-tier spray device, load size and soil level controls 0.6

Power dry optional, multi-tier spray device, no load size or soil level controls 0.43

Power dry always, single-tier spray device, no load size or soil level controls 0.24

Table 36. Default Standard Size (~2.5 ft3

) Clothes Washer Characteristics

Equipment Characteristics Modified EF 

(ft3/kWh)

Horizontal axis, cold rinse option, automatic fill, thermostatically controlled mixing 

valve, improved water extraction 1.62

Vertical axis, cold rinse option, automatic fill, thermostatically controlled mixing 

valve, improved water extraction 1.02

Vertical axis, cold rinse option, water level option, standard mixing valve 0.64

Vertical axis, no cold rinse option, no water level option 0.47

Analysis of advanced hot water systems may be conducted using the more detailed hot water 

event schedules described in the New Homes section. Analysis of common laundry facilities, 

common restrooms, and central hot water systems in multi-family housing shall comply with the 

guidelines in the New Homes section.

Air Infiltration and Ventilation

The ELA for the Pre-Retrofit Case shall be calculated based on blower door testing conducted in 

accordance with ASTM (2003). If the whole-house simulation tool being used cannot calculate 

hourly infiltration based on effective leakage area, an annual average natural infiltration rate may 

be used based on the guidelines in ASHRAE (1988), Section 5, and ASHRAE (1993), Section 4. 

Whole-house mechanical ventilation, if present, and spot ventilation for bathrooms, kitchen 

ranges, and dryer exhausts shall be modeled using the same guidelines described for an NCTH.

Lighting

The total annual lighting budget for the Pre-Retrofit case shall be determined by conducting an 

audit of light fixtures and bulbs inside and outside the house. Either Option 1 or Option 2 may be 

used, as described in the Lighting section under New Construction. When using the simplified 

approach (Option 1), the Pre-Retrofit lighting energy shall be calculated using Equations 7-13, 

which assumes the installed illumination levels are the same as the Benchmark. When using 

Option 2, all requirements for analyzing lighting in NCTHs shall be applied to the Pre-Retrofit 

case, except the horizontal illumination levels calculated based on the actual installed lighting 

shall be used instead of those recommended by IESNA. The BA Analysis Spreadsheet shall be 

used to calculate lighting energy for the Pre-Retrofit case when using Option 2. 

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads

To the extent possible, actual specifications for all major appliances should be obtained through 

inspection. Spot electricity measurements may be performed for loads that are relatively constant 
45

when operating, such as refrigerators and freezers. A more standardized procedure for 

calculating average daily electricity use for refrigerators was developed by LBNL (Szydlowski 

1988). If EnergyGuide labels are not used, it is important that the same refrigerator audit 

procedures are used for both the Pre- and Post-Retrofit Cases to ensure a fair comparison. 

If EnergyGuide labels are available for dishwashers or clothes washers, the BA Analysis 

Spreadsheet shall be used to estimate annual energy use. If EnergyGuide labels cannot be located 

or do not exist for certain major appliances (e.g., ovens and clothes dryers), the default EFs in 

Tables 35–40 shall be used. These defaults were derived from historical appliance efficiency 

studies (DOE 2004b; EPRI 1986; Wenzel et al. 1997) and technical support documents for recent 

changes to Federal appliance standards (DOE 1993, DOE 2000b). If the specific equipment type 

is not listed in the default tables, the efficiency may either be interpolated based on listed 

equipment or estimated using the original reference sources. The default efficiencies must be 

used in conjunction with the BA Analysis Spreadsheet to estimate annual electricity and hot 

water use.

For kitchen ranges, the annual energy use shall be calculated by dividing the Useful Cooking 

Energy Output (see Table 41) by the EF. For gas ranges with electric glo-bar ignition, an 

additional 40 + 13.3 × Nbr kWh/yr shall be included.

Table 37. Default Gas Clothes Dryer Characteristics

(assumes typical clothes washer capacity and remaining moisture content).

Equipment Characteristics EF

(lb/kWh)

Cool-down mode, intermittent ignition, automatic termination control, improved door 

seal, well insulated 2.67

Cool-down mode, intermittent ignition, timer control, improved door seal, well insulated 2.40

No cool-down mode, pilot light, timer control, poor door seal, poorly insulated 2.00

Table 38. Default Electric Clothes Dryer Characteristics

(assumes typical clothes washer capacity and remaining moisture content).

Equipment Characteristics EF (lb/kWh)

Cool-down mode, automatic termination control, improved door seal, well insulated 3.10

No cool-down mode, timer control, poor door seal, poorly insulated 2.95

Table 39. Default Gas Oven/Cooktop Characteristics

Equipment Characteristics EF

Cooktop: intermittent ignition, sealed burner

Oven: spark ignition, not self cleaning, improved door seals, reduced vent rate, 

high density insulation

Cooktop: 42.0%

Oven: 6.2%

Cooktop: intermittent ignition, open burner

Oven: electric glo-bar ignition, self cleaning

Cooktop: 40.0%

Oven: 5.8%

Cooktop: pilot lights

Oven: pilot light, not self-cleaning, standard door seals, standard vent rate, 

standard insulation

Cooktop: 18.8%

Oven: 3.5%
46

Table 40. Default Electric Oven/Cooktop Characteristics

Equipment Characteristics EF

Cooktop: reflective pans, flat coil elements

Oven: self-cleaning, improved door seals

Cooktop: 77.7%

Oven: 10.2%

Cooktop: solid disc elements

Oven: not self-cleaning, improved door seals, reduced vent rate, high density 

insulation

Cooktop: 74.2%

Oven: 12.1%

Cooktop: non-reflective pans, rounded coil elements

Oven: not self-cleaning, standard door seals, standard vent rate, standard insulation

Cooktop: 73.7%

Oven: 10.9%

Table 41. Useful Cooking Energy Output for Gas and Electric Ranges

State Useful Cooking Energy Output 

Electric cooktop 86.5 + 28.9 × Nbr kWh/yr

Electric oven 14.6 + 4.9 × Nbr kWh/yr

Gas cooktop 2.64 + 0.88 × Nbr therms/yr

Gas oven 0.44 + 0.15 × Nbr therms/yr

If the retrofit package does not include improvements to MELs, the package of MELs defined for 

the Benchmark shall be used for the Pre-Retrofit Case, regardless of the actual MELs present in 

the house. 

If MEL improvements are included in the retrofit package, analysts must use the more detailed 

methodology in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet.

The fraction of end-use energy converted into internal sensible and latent loads is shown in Table 

42. Not all energy consumed by appliances is converted into internal load; much of the waste 

heat is exhausted to the outside or released down the drain in the form of hot water. 

Table 42. Default Internal Loads From Appliances and Small Electric End Uses in the

Pre-Retrofit Case

Appliance Sensible Load Fraction Latent Load Fraction

Refrigerator 1.00 0.00

Freezer 1.00 0.00

Clothes washer 0.80 0.00

Clothes dryer (electric) 0.15 0.05

Clothes dryer (gas) 1.00 (electric component)

0.10 (gas component)

0.00 (electric component)

0.05 (gas component)

Dishwasher (8 place settings) 0.60 0.15

Range (electric) 0.40 0.30

Range (gas) 0.30 0.20

MELs 0.73 0.20

For appliances and MELs in common areas of multi-family housing, the same guidelines 

described for new homes shall be used.
47

Site Generation

If the Pre-Retrofit Case includes site electricity generation equipment, such as a fuel cell, 

photovoltaic system, or wind turbine, then the total energy production shall be calculated using a 

generally accepted engineering methodology. 

Modeling the Post-Retrofit Case

The Post-Retrofit Case is modeled either as-designed or as-built, depending on the status of the 

project. All parameters for the Post-Retrofit model shall be based on final design specifications 

or measured data, with the following exceptions and clarifications:

• Any house characteristics that are unknown or not part of the package of energy 

efficiency improvements shall be the same as the Pre-Retrofit Case.

• Insulation installation quality shall be factored into the model of the Post-Retrofit Case.

• The ELA for the Post-Retrofit Case shall be calculated based on blower door testing 

conducted in accordance with ASTM (2003). If the whole-house simulation tool cannot 

calculate hourly infiltration based on ELA, an annual average natural infiltration rate may 

be used based on the guidelines in ASHRAE Standard 119, Section 5, and ASHRAE 

Standard 136, Section 4.

• For cooling equipment, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) should be used with part-load 

performance characteristics in the annual simulation whenever possible. SEER is less 

desirable for an annual simulations, but is often the only information that is publicly 

available about a cooling system. If the actual EER for the Post-Retrofit Case is not 

readily available, Equation 22 may be used to make an approximate conversion from 

SEER to EER (Wassmer 2003).

EER = –0.02 × SEER2 + 1.12 × SEER (22)

Whole-house mechanical ventilation, if present, and spot ventilation for bathrooms, kitchen 

ranges, and dryer exhausts shall be modeled using the same guidelines described for an NCTH.

The installation of energy-saving appliances or other equipment may reduce hot water 

consumption for certain end uses, reduce the internal sensible and latent loads, or affect the 

hourly operating profiles. Energy savings calculations for the Post-Retrofit Case must take these 

effects into account using operating conditions based on rules developed for DOE residential 

appliance standards (DOE 2004), and the actual performance characteristics of the appliances. 

The number of cycles per year specified in the appliance standard for clothes washers is adjusted 

according to the number of bedrooms and the clothes washer capacity, using Equation 23:

Clothes washer cycles per year = (392) × (1⁄2 + Nbr/6) × 12.5 lb/Wtest (23)

where 

Wtest = maximum clothes washer test load weight found in 10 CFR Part 

430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, as a function of the washer capacity 

in ft3

.
48

A DUF is applied to the clothes washer cycles to determine the number of annual dryer cycles, 

using Equation 24:

Clothes dryer cycles per year = DUF × Clothes washer cycles per year (24)

where

DUF = 0.84.

The dishwasher annual operating cycles are similarly calculated, using Equation 25: 

Dishwasher cycles per year = (215) × (1⁄2 + Nbr/6) (25)

The BA Analysis Spreadsheet automates energy use calculations for appliances. The spreadsheet 

includes tabs to help analysts calculate energy savings for efficient clothes washers, clothes 

dryers, and dishwashers. It calculates the split between hot water and machine energy based on 

the EnergyGuide label, estimates dryer energy savings for clothes washers that reduce remaining 

moisture content, adjusts energy use for the assumption that both hot water and cold water 

temperatures for the house are different from the test values (140°F and 60°F/50°F), and adjusts 

for the type of controls present (thermostatic control valves, boost heating, cold water only). 

Both annual average and monthly average hot water use are calculated. 

Energy savings for a new range or oven may only be credited if an EF has been determined in 

accordance with the DOE test procedures for cooking appliances (DOE 1993). Annual energy 

consumption is then estimated as the annual useful cooking energy output (see Table 41) divided 

by the energy factor, plus 40 + 13.3 × Nbr kWh/yr for gas ranges with electric glo-bar ignition. If 

the EF is unknown for a new range, the Post-Retrofit energy use for cooking is assumed to be 

the same as the Pre-Retrofit Case.

Lighting energy use for the Post-Retrofit Case may be calculated using either Option 1 or Option 

2, as discussed in Lighting section for New Construction. When using Option 1, illumination 

levels are assumed to be the same as the Pre-Retrofit Case, which are the same as the 

Benchmark. When using Option 2, , the Post-Retrofit Case uses the actual installed illumination 

levels, which may be different from the Pre-Retrofit illumination levels. For Option 2, the BA 

Analysis Spreadsheet must be used.

Modifications to the Pre-Retrofit lighting profile and operating hours because of occupancy 

sensors or other controls may be considered for the Post-Retrofit Case, but negative and positive 

effects on space conditioning load must also be calculated, assuming 100% of interior lighting 

energy contributes to the internal sensible load.

Large end uses that are not part of typical houses (such as swimming pools, Jacuzzis, and 

workshops) shall not be explicitly included in the models for either the Pre- or the Post-Retrofit 

Case. The efficiency of these end uses should be addressed in a separate analysis.

For the Post-Retrofit Case, all site electricity generation is credited regardless of energy source. 

Residential-scale photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, fuel cells, and micro-cogeneration 

systems are all potential sources of electricity generated on the site. An offset must be applied to 

this electricity credit equal to the amount of purchased energy used in the on-site generation 

process. 
49

Operating Conditions

The following operating conditions and other assumptions shall apply to all simulations 

conducted for official Building America reporting purposes, including the analysis of both new 

homes and retrofits of existing homes, unless otherwise specified.

Vacation Periods

Fourteen vacation days shall be used in the analysis, defined as May 26–28, August 12–18, and 

December 22–25. Unless otherwise specified, operating conditions are the same during these 

periods as during other periods.

Space Conditioning

Thermostat set points based on the optimum seasonal temperature for human comfort as defined 

in ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 (ASHRAE 2004b).

Set point for cooling: 76°F with no setup period

Set point for heating: 71°F with no setback period

Take-back, set-up and set-back are not included in the analysis of thermostat set points due to the 

need for more analytical data in this area.

Heating and cooling shall only occur during certain months of the year in accordance with the 

guidelines presented below. Alternate operating profiles may be acceptable with sufficient

justification. The heating and cooling seasons shall be determined on the basis of the monthly 

average temperatures (MATs) and the 99% (annual, not seasonal) winter and summer design 

temperatures, based on TMY3 data or ASHRAE 2009 for the nearest location, in accordance 

with the following procedures: 

Step 1. MAT Basis 

The heating system shall be enabled for a month in which the MAT is less than 66°F. 

The cooling system shall be enabled for a month in which the MAT is greater than 66°F. 

Step 2. Winter Design Temperatures and Summer Design Temperatures

The heating system shall be enabled in December and January if the winter design temperature is 

less than or equal to 59°F, regardless of the outcome in Step 1 above. 

The cooling system shall be enabled in July and August regardless of the outcome in Step 1 

above. 

Step 3. Swing Season Adjustment 

If, based on Steps 1 and 2, there are consecutive months in which the cooling system is disabled 

the first month and enabled the following month, the heating system shall be enabled for the 

second month. 

If, based on Steps 1 and 2, there are consecutive months in which the heating system is disabled 

the first month and enabled the following month, the cooling system shall be enabled for the 

second month.
50

One month shall be added to the start of the cooling season determined based on Steps 1 and 2, 

unless the cooling season is year-round.

Weather data shall be based on TMY3 data from 1991 to 2005 or equivalent data for the nearest 

weather station.

Set point for dehumidification (applies to all new homes, and to existing homes where humidity 

is controlled): 60% relative humidity (no lower limit).

The natural cooling schedule shall be set to reflect windows being opened occasionally. In 

situations where it is a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and there is a cooling load, windows will 

be opened if the cooling capacity of OA flow can maintain the cooling set point, the outdoor 

humidity ratio is less than 0.0115, and the outdoor relative humidity is less than 70%. The 

ventilation rate for natural cooling shall be calculated using the Sherman-Grimsrud model 

(Sherman and Grimsrud 1980). Twenty percent of the maximum openable area for windows on 

each façade and on each floor shall be open. Windows are assumed to be closed once the indoor 

temperature drops to within 1°F of the heating set point, or if the air change rate exceeds 20 air 

changes per hour. If local circumstances (pollution, high humidity, security, community 

standards, etc.) discourage window operation, a more appropriate schedule is acceptable, as long 

as the same natural cooling schedule is applied to both the Benchmark and the NCTH. 

Interior shading multiplier = 0.7 

Domestic Hot Water

The hot water set point shall be 130°F, and the mixed temperature for showers, sinks, and baths 

shall be 110°F.

Hourly hot water use profiles for individual hot water end uses are shown in Figure 5 to Figure 

12. For software tools that do not accept this level of detail, the combined hourly hot water 

profile may be used (see Figure 13). The numerical values for normalized hourly hot water use 

can be found in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. 

The combined hourly profile is based on a 1990 study conducted by Becker and Stogsdill (1990), 

which included hot water data from several earlier studies. The profiles for the clothes washer 

and dishwasher are based on the electrical end use measurements in the End-Use Load and 

Consumer Assessment Program study conducted in the Pacific Northwest by the Bonneville 

Power Administration in the 1980s (Pratt et al. 1989). The hourly profiles for the common 

laundry room hot water use are from the “Multi-Unit Residential Clothes Washer Replacement 

Pilot Project” produced by the City of Toronto (Lithgow et al. 1999). We assume that the 

normalized hourly profiles for electricity and hot water are the same for washing machines and 

dishwashers. The shower, bath, and sink profiles were taken from a study titled, “Residential 

End-Uses of Water” conducted by Aquacraft for the American Water Works Association 

(AWWA 1999). The central restroom profile stems from the office occupancy profile in NREL 

(2009). 
51 

Figure 5. Clothes washer hot water use profile

Figure 6. Multi-family common laundry hot water use profile: weekday

 

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day
52 

Figure 7. Multi-family common laundry hot water use profile: weekend

 

Figure 8. Dishwasher hot water use profile

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage
53

Figure 9. Shower hot water use profile

Figure 10. Bath hot water use profile
54

Figure 11. Sink hot water use profile

Figure 12. Central restroom sink hot water use profile

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day
55

Figure 13. Combined DHW use profile

For the central restroom in a multi-family building, the daily use depends on the number of fulltime employees and the number of guests who come to see the facilities (which can vary based 

on number and price of units, economics, and marketing). If these parameters are unknown to the 

analyst, three full-time employees shall be assumed, each using the restroom three times per day, 

and 21 visitors, of whom one in three uses restroom facilities (Gleick et al. 2003).

Based on these numbers, Figure 12, and values from Table 9, the total hot water consumption is 

a constant 11.3 gal/day for weekdays and Saturdays, and 0 gal/day on Sundays. This is 

equivalent to 3526 gal/year.

Weekend/weekday multipliers for daily hot water use were derived from data collected in the 

1200 house Aquacraft study (AWWA 1999). Three vacation periods with no hot water use were 

designated: May 26–28, August 12–18, and December 22–25. The multipliers that adjust for 

these effects in single-family homes and multi-family homes with in-unit clothes washers are 

summarized in Table 43. This is an optional level of detail for DHW analysis, and is not required 

if the simulation tool the analyst uses does not allow variable daily hot water use. 

Table 43. Hot Water Use Multipliers for Specific Day Types

Clothes Washer Dishwasher Shower Bath Sinks

Weekend 1.15 1.05 1.05 1.26 1.04

Weekday 0.94 0.98 0.98 0.90 0.98

Vacation (May 26–28, 

August 12–18, December 22–25) 0 0 0 0 0

Not vacation 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04

The mains water temperature for a typical house varies significantly depending on the location 

and time of year. Equation 26, based on TMY3 data for the location of the Test House, shall be 

used to determine the daily mains water temperature for all models: 

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage
56

Tmains = (Tamb,avg + offset) + ratio × (Tamb,max/2) × sin (26)

(0.986 × (day# – 15 – lag) – 90)

where

Tmains = mains (supply) temperature to DHW tank (°F)

Tamb,avg = annual average ambient air temperature (°F) 

Tamb,max = maximum difference between monthly average ambient 

temperatures (e.g.,Tamb,avg,july – Tamb,avg,january) (°F)

0.986 = degrees/day (360/365)

day# = day of the year (1–365)

offset = 6°F

ratio = 0.4 + 0.01 (Tamb,avg – 44)

lag = 35 – 1.0 (Tamb,avg – 44). 

This equation is based on analysis by Burch and Christensen (2007) using data for multiple 

locations, as compiled by Abrams and Shedd (1996), Parker (2002), and Sandia National 

Laboratories (Kolb 2003). The offset, ratio, and lag factors were determined by fitting the 

available data. The climate-specific ratio and lag factors are consistent with water pipes being 

buried deeper in colder climates. 

For the constant terms in the ratio and lag factors to represent an average climate, the data fitting 

was done relative to a nominal Tamb,avg = 44°F. The lag is relative to ambient air temperature, and 

the minimum ambient temperature is assumed to occur in mid-January (day# = 15). The choices 

for these nominal values are not critical, because although different assumptions would change 

the constant terms in the ratio and lag factors, the coefficients would also change, so the 

prediction of Tmains values would be unchanged. For models that use average monthly mains 

temperature, day# in Equation 26 shall be calculated using Equation 27. 

day# = 30 × month# – 15 (27)

where 

month# = month of the year (1–12)

An example using Equations 26 and 27 to determine the monthly mains temperature profile for 

Chicago, Illinois, is shown in Figure 14.
57

Figure 14. Mains temperature profile for Chicago

Lighting

Operating conditions for lighting are closely tied to the lighting design, and are addressed in the 

discussions of lighting analysis in the New Construction and Existing Homes sections. 

Appliances and Miscellaneous Electric Loads

The hourly, normalized load shape for combined residential equipment use is shown in Figure 

15, and is based on Pratt et al. (1989). In most situations, this profile is adequate for simulating 

all electric and gas end uses except space conditioning and hot water. However, because some 

individual end use profiles (such as refrigerator and transformer loads) are nearly constant and 

some (such as the range and dishwasher) are highly dependent on time of day, we have also 

developed a series of normalized hourly profiles for major appliances and MELs (see Figures 16 

to 23). Numerical values associated with these profiles can be found in the BA Analysis 

Spreadsheet. The hourly profiles for machine energy usage in the clothes washer and dishwasher 

are identical to those provided earlier in the section on DHW (see Figure 5 to Figure 8). If 

detailed MELs analysis is not included in the simulation, the hourly profile for “Other MELs” 

may be used for the entire MELs load.

Using TMY2 data for CHICAGO, IL

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

Temperature (°F) & 

Gallons/day

T ambient

T mains

DHW gal/day

BA - Monthly Mains Water Temperature and DHW Usage
58

Figure 15. Total combined residential equipment profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

Figure 16. Refrigerator normalized energy use profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage
59

Figure 17. Clothes washer normalized machine energy use profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

Figure 18. Clothes dryer normalized energy use profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage
60 

Figure 19. Common laundry clothes washer normalized energy use profile

(Toronto 1999)

Figure 20. Common laundry clothes dryer normalized energy use profile

(shifted one hour relative to clothes washer)

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day
61

Figure 21. Dishwasher normalized energy use profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

Figure 22. Range/oven normalized energy use profile

(Pratt et al. 1989)

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Hour of Day

Fraction of Total Daily Usage
62

Figure 23. MELs normalized energy use profile

(Mills 2008)

All hourly end-use profiles were taken from the End-Use Load and Consumer Assessment 

Program study, except the profile for ceiling fans (Parker et al. 2010), and MELs (Mills et al. 

2008). Internal sensible and latent loads from appliances and plug loads shall be modeled using 

the same hourly profiles used for end-use consumption. Appliance loads may be modeled in 

either the living spaces or bedroom spaces, depending on their location in the Test House. 

Seasonal multipliers shall be applied for certain major appliances and MELs. These multipliers, 

which were derived based on defaults from the Home Energy Saver software (Mills et al. 2008), 

are graphed in Figure 24. The numerical data are provided in the BA Analysis Spreadsheet. If 

MELs are not addressed individually in the simulation, the “Other MELs” seasonal multipliers 

may be used for the entire MELs energy load. 

0

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Fraction of Total Daily Usage

Hour of Day

Freezer

Home Entertainment

Waterbed heater

Spa heater

Spa pump

Pool heater

Pool pump

Ceiling Fans (FSEC)

Other MELs
63

Figure 24. Seasonal multipliers for appliances and MELs

Internal heat gains from lighting, hot water fixtures and distribution systems, appliances, and 

MELs were discussed in previous sections. These loads are not necessarily the same for the each 

house being modeled; therefore, they are not considered operating conditions for the purposes of 

Building America performance analysis.

Annual cycles for clothes washers, dryers, and dishwashers shall be calculated using the 

Building America Analysis Spreadsheet posted on the BA Web site.

Occupancy

The number of occupants in single-family and multi-family dwellings during non-vacation 

periods shall be estimated based on the number of bedrooms using Equations 28 and 29, 

respectively.

Number of occupants = 0.59 × Nbr + 0.87 (28)

Number of occupants = 0.92 × Nbr + 0.63 (29)

where 

Nbr = number of bedrooms

During vacation periods, the number of occupants shall be zero. 

Sensible and latent gains shall be accounted for separately, and different loads shall be applied in 

different space types when possible (see Table 44). The occupant heat gains are based on 

ASHRAE (2009). The average hourly occupancy profile is shown in Figure 25, and an example 

set of detailed hourly occupancy curves is shown in Figure 26. 

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Daily Energy Use Multiplier

Month

Refrigerator, Freezer, Spa Heater

Cooking Appliances

Home Entertainment

Waterbed heater

Spa pump

Ceiling Fans

Other MELs
64

Table 44. Peak Sensible and Latent Heat Gain From Occupants

(ASHRAE 2009)

Multiple Zones Internal Load (Btu/person/h)

Sensible Load Latent Load

Living area 230 190

Bedroom area 210 140

Common laundry 250 200

Office 250 200

Workout room 710 1090

Central restroom 245 155

Single Zone Internal Load (Btu/person/h)

Sensible load 220

Latent load 164

Figure 25. Average hourly load profile from occupants for all day types and family types

(16.5 h/day/person total)

Figure 26. Detailed hourly load profiles resulting from occupants being in different parts of the 

house on weekdays (WD) and weekends (WE)

Occupancy Profiles

by Day-Type and Space-Type

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

13579

11131517192123

fraction of total people

Occ-LR-WD Occ-LR-WE

Occ-BR-WD Occ-BR-WE

Occupancy Profile

daily average - whole house

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

13579

11131517192123

fraction of total people
65 

For common areas in multi-family buildings, an example occupancy profile is shown in Figure 

27. The maximum occupancy for the common laundry room is equal to the number of washing 

machines. The maximum occupancy for the workout room should be 3 unless otherwise 

documented. The maximum occupancy for the office and central restroom will be 3 and 0.33 

respectively. (Partial person is due to a maximum of 2 people per hour at 10 minutes each). The 

load profiles for the office and central restroom are modeled as zero for Sundays and holidays. 

Figure 27. Detailed hourly load profiles resulting from occupants being in different common 

spaces on specific days of the week

Example occupancy profiles for different day and room types are available in spreadsheet format 

on the BA Web site. These profiles, which were developed by NREL, are based on the basic 

occupancy schedule in Figure 25, combined with engineering judgment. 

Internal Mass

The internal mass of furniture and contents shall be equal to 8 lb/ft2 of conditioned floor space. 

For solar distribution purposes, lightweight furniture covering 40% of the floor area shall be 

assumed. 

Reporting Energy Use and Energy Savings

Reporting energy use and energy savings in a consistent format is an important component of 

BA analysis. The following tables shall be supplied with the analysis report for every BA Test 

House. Analysis based on alternate approaches (actual operating conditions, energy-conscious 

occupants, equivalent comfort, etc.) may also be valuable to supplement the primary energy 

savings calculation. 

New Construction

Table 45 shows an example of a site energy consumption report for a hypothetical NCTH, along 

with the Benchmark, Builder Standard Practice, and Regional Standard Practice. The latter two 

reference cases represent the house the builder would have built in the absence of Building 

America, and a house built to the minimum requirements of the local energy code, respectively. 

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

Fraction of Total People

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

Occupancy Profiles

by Day and Space-Type

Common Laundry-Everyday Office-WD + Sat

Workout Room-Everyday Central Restroom-WD + Sat
66

Similar analytical results based on source energy are presented in Table 46, along with percent 

energy savings for each end use. End uses are described in more detail in Table 47.

Table 45. Summary of Site Energy Consumption by End Use Using BA Research Benchmark

Annual Site Energy

BA Benchmark Region Standard Builder Standard BA NCTH

End use (kWh) (therms) (kWh) (therms) (kWh) (therms) (kWh) (therms)

Space heating 11,225 0 11,286 0 11,286 0 4,397 0

Space cooling 2,732 0 2,432 0 2,432 0 902 0

DHW 4,837 0 4,838 0 4,838 0 1,351 0

Lighting 3,110 3,110 3,110 1,204

Appliances and

MELs 7,646 0 7,646 0 7,646 0 7,436 0

OA ventilation 400 400 400 400

Total usage 29,950 0 29,712 0 29,712 0 15,690 0

Site generation 0 0 0 0 0 0 7,402 0

Net energy use 29,950 0 29,712 0 29,712 0 8,289 0
67 

Table 46. Example Summary of Source Energy Consumption by End Use Using BA Research Benchmark

Source Energy Savings

Estimated Annual Source Energy Percent of End Use Percent of Total

BA 

Benchmark Regional Builder NCTH BABenchmark Regional Builder 

BA

Benchmark Regional Builder

End use (MBtu/yr) (MBtu/yr) (MBtu/yr) (MBtu/yr) Base Base Base Base Base Base

Space heating 115 116 116 45 61% 61% 61% 23% 23% 23%

Space cooling 28 25 25 9 67% 63% 63% 6% 5% 5%

DHW 50 50 50 14 72% 72% 72% 12% 12% 12%

Lighting 32 32 32 12 61% 61% 61% 6% 6% 6%

Appliances and MELs 78 78 78 76 3% 3% 3% 1% 1% 1%

OA ventilation 4 4 4 4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Total usage 307 304 304 161 48% 47% 47% 48% 47% 47%

Site generation 0 0 0 –76 25% 25% 25%

Net energy use 307 304 304 85 72% 72% 72% 72% 72% 72%

Table 47. End Use Categories

End Use Potential Electric Usage Potential Gas Usage

Space heating

Supply fan during space heating, HP*, HP supplemental heat, water boiler 

heating elements, water boiler circulation pump, electric resistance heating, 

HP crankcase heat, heating system auxiliary

Gas furnace, gas boiler, gas backup HP 

supplemental heat, gas ignition standby

Space cooling Central split-system A/C**, packaged A/C (window or through-the-wall), supply 

fan energy during space cooling, A/C crankcase heat, cooling system auxiliary Gas absorption chiller (rare)

DHW Electric water heater, HP water heater, hot water circulation pumps Gas water heater

Lighting Indoor lighting, outdoor lighting None

Appliances and MELs Refrigerator, electric clothes dryer, gas clothes dryer (motor), cooking, MELs Cooking, gas clothes dryer, gas fireplace

OA ventilation Ventilation fans, air handler during ventilation mode None

Site generation Photovoltaic electric generation None

* Heat pump

** Air-conditioning
68

For attached and multi-family housing, the energy use for all units shall be combined with the 

energy associated with common areas and any centralized space conditioning or hot water 

systems. This applies to both the Benchmark units and the NCTH units. Energy savings shall be 

calculated on a whole-building or whole-complex basis, and each unit shall be deemed to have 

the same percent energy savings. 

The “Percent of End Use” columns in Table 46 show the NCTH energy use for each end use as a 

fraction of the appropriate base case. The “Percent of Total” columns show the contribution of 

each end use toward an overall energy reduction goal. Note that site generation for the 

Benchmark is always zero. 

Source energy shall be determined using Equation 30, using the site-to-source multipliers in 

Table 48. 

Source MBtu = kWh × 3.412 × Me /1000 + therms × Mg/10 + (30)

MBtu × Mo

where

Me = 3.365 = site to source multiplier for electricity

Mg = 1.092 = site to source multiplier for natural gas

Mo = site to source multiplier for all other fuels (see Table 50).

Table 48. Source EFs for Energy Delivered to Buildings

(Deru and Torcellini 2007)

Energy Source Source EF

Electricity 3.365

Natural gas 1.092

Fuel oil/kerosene 1.158

Gasoline 1.187

LPG 1.151

To determine whether the target energy saving has been met, a house size multiplier shall be 

applied to all Benchmark source energy consumption calculations. The adjusted Benchmark 

Source energy (Equation 31) assumes that a typical house size is 2400 ft2 with three bedrooms.

Adjusted Benchmark Source MBtu = (Msize) × Source MBtu (31)

where

Msize = (Nbr/3)0.034 × (2400/floor area)0.167

Table 49 reports energy savings for individual energy efficiency measures applied to the NCTH, 

in terms of source energy and energy cost. “Source Energy Savings %” is determined by 

comparing the source energy for each measure increment to the source energy for the Benchmark 

(the first row). In this column, the incremental savings for each measure are added to the savings 

for all the previous measures. The final row of the column is the overall energy savings achieved 

for the NCTH.
69

Table 49. Example Measure Savings Report for New Construction

National Average Builder Standard (Local Costs)

Site Energy Source Energy Energy Cost Energy Cost Measure Package

Increment (kWh) (therms) (MBtu) Savings 

(%) ($/yr) Savings (%) ($/yr) Savings (%)

Value 

($/yr)

Savings 

($/yr)

BA Benchmark 29950 0 306.9 $ 2,995 $ 2,950 

Regional standard practice 29712 0 304.4 1% $ 2,971 1% $ 2,927 

Builder standard practice (BSP) 29712 0 304.4 1% $ 2,971 1% $ 2,927 

BSP + improved walls 27779 0 284.6 7% $ 2,778 7% $ 2,736 7% $ 190.4 $ 190 

BSP ++ low-e windows 25810 0 264.5 14% $ 2,581 14% $ 2,542 13% $ 193.9 $ 384 

BSP ++ smaller A/C (5 -> 4 tons) 25420 0 260.5 15% $ 2,542 15% $ 2,504 14% $ 38.4 $ 423 

BSP ++ includes basement wall 

insulation 25170 0 257.9 16% $ 2,517 16% $ 2,479 15% $ 24.6 $ 447 

BSP ++ ground source hp (+ DHW) 19331 0 198.1 35% $ 1,933 35% $ 1,904 35% $ 575.1 $ 1,023 

BSP ++ solar dhw 17718 0 181.5 41% $ 1,772 41% $ 1,745 40% $ 158.9 $ 1,181 

BSP ++ lighting, appliances, and plug 15690 0 160.8 48% $ 1,569 48% $ 1,545 47% $ 199.8 $ 1,381 

Site Generation

BSP ++ PV 8288 0 84.9 72% $ 829 $ 816 72% $ 729.0 $ 2,110 
70

The NCTH model is created by changing the characteristics of each component that is not the 

same in the two houses. In the interest of quality control and of assessing each measure’s value, 

the incremental changes are added progressively and one at a time. Each improvement is 

analyzed by simulating the new combination of measures and comparing the energy performance 

to the previous combination of measures. 

The order of the measures is left up to the analyst. However, proper consideration should be 

given to a measure’s benefit-to-cost (B/C) ratio. Measures with the highest B/C ratio should be 

added to the base case first. Measures for which savings are highly sensitive to the order in 

which they are added to the base case should be identified and explored further.

When available, actual energy tariffs for the NCTH shall be used to determine whole-building 

energy costs. Energy cost and measure savings are compared to the Builder Standard Practice 

(representing a real design or set of practices that is currently being used by the builder) rather 

than to the Benchmark. This provides an evaluation of the improvements in the performance of 

the NCTH compared with those of homes currently being sold by the builder partner. 

Reporting of peak hourly energy consumption is also encouraged for every NCTH. Peak energy 

is based on the hour with the greatest gas or electric energy consumption during the course of 

one year, as determined by the hourly simulation. 
71

Existing Homes

Table 50 shows an example of a site energy consumption report for a hypothetical project, before 

and after the retrofits are performed. Similar information based on source energy is presented in 

Table 51, along with percent energy savings for each end use. 

Table 50. Example Summary of Site Energy Consumption by End Use for an 

Existing Homes Project

Annual Site Energy

Pre-Retrofit Post-Retrofit

End use (kWh) (therms) (kWh) (therms)

Space heating 11225 0 4397 0

Space cooling 2732 0 902 0

DHW 4837 0 1351 0

Lighting 3110 1204

Appliances and MELs 7646 0 7436 0

OA ventilation 400 400

Total Usage 29950 0 15690 0

Site generation 0 7402

Net Energy Use 29950 0 8289 0

Table 51. Example Summary of Source Energy Consumption by End Use for an 

Existing Homes Project

End Use

Estimated Annual Source Energy Source Energy Savings

Pre-Retrofit

(MBtu/yr)

Post-Retrofit

(MBtu/yr)

Percent of

End-Use

Percent of

Total

Space heating 115 45 61% 23%

Space cooling 28 9 67% 6%

DHW 50 14 72% 12%

Lighting 32 12 61% 6%

Appliances and MELs 78 76 3% 1%

OA ventilation 4 4 0% 0%

Total Usage 307 161 48% 48%

Site generation 0 -76 25%

Net Energy Use 307 85 72% 72%

The “Percent of End Use” column in Table 51 shows the Post-Retrofit energy savings for each 

end use as a fraction of the energy use in the Pre-Retrofit Case. The “Percent of Total” columns 

show the contribution of each end use toward an overall energy reduction goal. 

Source energy is determined using the same methodology described for new construction.

Table 52 reports energy savings for individual energy efficiency measures applied to the PreRetrofit Case in terms of site energy, source energy, and energy cost. “Source Energy Savings 

%” are determined by comparing the source energy for each measure increment to the source 
72

energy for the Pre-Retrofit Case (the first row). In this column, the incremental savings for each 

measure are added to the savings for all the previous measures. The final row of the column is 

the overall energy savings achieved for the Post-Retrofit Case.

When available, actual energy tariffs for the house shall be used to determine whole-building 

energy costs. Peak hourly energy consumption should also be reported Pre- and Post-Retrofit for 

every project. Peak energy is based on the hour with the greatest gas or electric energy 

consumption during the course of one year, as determined by the hourly simulation. 
73 

Table 52. Example Measure Savings Report for an Existing Homes Project

Site Energy Source Energy National Average

Energy Cost

Economics (Local Costs)

Energy Cost Measure Package

Increment (kWh) (therms) (MBtu) Savings 

(%) ($/yr) Savings (%) ($/yr) Savings (%)

Value 

($/yr)

Savings 

($/yr)

Pre-retrofit 29950 0 306.9 $ 2,995 $ 2,950 

+ improved walls 27779 0 284.6 7% $ 2,778 7% $ 2,736 7% $ 190.4 $ 190 

++ Low-E windows 25810 0 264.5 14% $ 2,581 14% $ 2,542 13% $ 193.9 $ 384 

++ Smaller A/C (5 -> 4 tons) 25420 0 260.5 15% $ 2,542 15% $ 2,504 14% $ 38.4 $ 423 

++ Including basement wall insulation 25170 0 257.9 16% $ 2,517 16% $ 2,479 15% $ 24.6 $ 447 

++ Ground source heat pump (+ DHW) 19331 0 198.1 35% $ 1,933 35% $ 1,904 35% $ 575.1 $ 1,023 

++ Solar DHW 17718 0 181.5 41% $ 1,772 41% $ 1,745 40% $ 158.9 $ 1,181 

++ Lighting, appliances, and plug (post-retrofit) 15690 0 160.8 48% $ 1,569 48% $ 1,545 47% $ 199.8 $ 1,381 
74

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