• Research Reports/Handbook Chapters

Interior Duct Study: In September 2002, BAIHP researchers completed the DOE/NETL funded Interior Duct Study and posted results on the BAIHP web at www.fsec.ucf.edu/Bldg/pubs/cr1336/cr1336.htm.  A four-page color project overview was printed and sent to approximately 400 building scientists, engineers, architects, and builders. 

Obtaining SHGT and VT Methodologies: Early in 2002, researchers completed, and submitted to NFRC a comprehensive, 20-page report on methodologies for obtaining SHGC and VT ratings from the NFRC for a variety of complex fenestration systems.  This document also was distributed to the Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee members prior to the Spring 2002 meeting.

ASHRAE Handbook:  Completed revisions for Chapter Nine ASHRAE HVAC Systems & Equipment Handbook on ductwork and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.  These changes will be included in next printed version of the ASHRAE  handbook.

• Slide Presentation

In 2001, BAIHP prepared a comprehensive 88-slide presentation detailing most of the issues involved in designing a residential building including window selection and the benefits of shade for series of half-day short courses on "Window Options for Florida Residences."

• Website

The BAIHP website was moved to a new FSEC server in 2002 and was updated to include the following case studies:

• Palm Harbor Factories - Energy Star Certified
• Sandspur Housing completes 176 Energy Star Units
• Show Me the Money: Selling Builders on Systems Engineering
• Pet House Project
• Cambridge Homes at Baldwin Park
• Zero Energy Manufactured Home
• Six Moisture Home Case Studies

In 2001, the following publications were added to the BAIHP website:

A 20-page paper on methodologies for obtaining SHGC and VT ratings from the NFRC for a variety of complex fenestration systems.  This was submitted to NFRC and also distributed to the NFRC Solar Heat Gain Subcommittee members prior to the Spring 2002 meeting.

A html version of the "Industry Guide to Choosing the Best Residential Window Options for the Florida Climate" was completed and posted on the fenestration website.   It can be viewed at: www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/active/fen/industry16.pdf.

A massive rewrite of the website publication "Advice to Florida Homeowners on Windows, Shades, and Film Selection" was completed and posted at: www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/active/fen/w_select.htm.

An draft publication on window films also is posted at: www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/active/fen/aboutwindowfilms.htm.

BAIHP created a new page about the WSU Energy House, including links to Super Good Cents projects and resources (www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp/casestud/wsu/wsuhouse.htm).

Fenestration Website:  Following much work on a window options "decision tree" for Florida homebuyers/homebuilders, users now can simply click on the FSEC website "Selecting Windows" link to get to the main fenestration menu.  Four side-by-side link options lead to the following menu items:

• Tutorial Companion:  "Homeowner's Guide to Selecting the Best Window Options for Florida Residences" is a new background paper on how windows work, their relationship to the sun's path through the sky, and effective shades and window design.  This publication is a tutorial companion to the "Industry Guide to Choosing the Best Residential Window Options for the Florida Climate."
• Decision Tree:  A process for viewing the essential elements from the tutorial companion by allowing the user to selection portions only of the document above.  Using a series of questions, the decision tree guides web users to window option recommendations based on how they respond to website inquiries.
• Window Selection Principles:  This new three-page paper describes the principles underlying the design of the decision tree, and offers general guidance to the selection of the right window option for your home. 
• Window Properties Selection Table: This single table of window properties assists the web user in determining which category of windows/shades is right for their home. The table also provides the user with specific numerical and component recommendations that make it easier for them to work directly with a window and window shade distributor.  

Fenestration Software:  In 2002, the FSEC fenestration software download webpage was significantly reorganized and upgraded.  For viewing, click your browser on http://fsec.ucf.edu/download/br/fenestration/software.

• OptPropConvert (Beta Program):   This is a small Windows utility program which can be used to read spectral optical property data files published by the National Fenestration Rating Council (www.nfrc.org), output as text files from the Optics 5 program's glazing library.  The program converts spectral transmittance and reflectance data into solar- and photopic- weighted average values for the refractive index and material internal absorptivity. These quantities are needed to run the program TDDTrans.exe described below.
• SunPath3: This is a fully MS Windows-based implementation of the popular SUNPATH 2.0, an MS DOS application. It allows the user to select latitude and longitude coordinates for a site of interest and then determine the position(s) in the sky of the center of the sun for any day of the year and time of day, or for a sequence of days and times.  The results are output into an ASCII file with columns labeled and conditions specified, easy to import into any word processing program, spreadsheet, or for direct printing.  Also included is a simple procedure for plotting multicolor sunpath diagrams. These charts show the altitude angle (above the horizon) variation and the azimuth angle (degrees of rotation from north toward east) variation of the sun from sunrise to sunset for selected dates in each of the 12 months of the year. The new version is very user-friendly and a minimum of reading is needed to run the program.
• TDDTrans (Beta Program):  This Windows-based computer program performs the calculations specified by a draft standard practice for the rating of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs), also known as tubular skylights, for solar heat gain and visible transmittance properties.  It was upgraded with DOE funding to better enable calculations with spectrally selective optical components.
• AWNSHADE 1.0:  The user selects which type of window shading is of interest from a menu of the following choices: (1) Awning only - Horizontal overhang above window, or lower front edge of awning, with and without side walls extending from lower edge back to the wall on either side of the window. (2) Vertical side fins - Rectangular vertical planar shades to either side of the window and perpendicular to the wall. (3) Awning plus side fins - A combination of cases 1 and 2. The user then enters a solar altitude angle and a relative azimuth angle (0 degrees being perpendicular to the wall) and the program calculates the unshaded fraction of the window area, that fraction of the total window area which receives direct sunlight without being shaded. The user also has the option of determining the effective unshaded fraction for uniformly diffuse incident radiation and to output a table of unshaded fractions for a range of solar altitude and relative azimuth angles.
• SunSpec1:  This MS DOS application dates from several years ago but is still available. The user specifies a set of atmospheric parameters and a solar altitude angle. The program calculates the cloudless sky direct beam and diffuse spectral irradiance on an arbitrarily oriented plane, having a user-specified altitude tilt and azimuth angles relative to the sun. The program also performs weighted averages over the solar spectrum to determine the broadband solar irradiances in W/m² and illuminances (photopic irradiances) in Lumens/m² corresponding to the spectral irradiances generated.  Will be replaced with SunSpec 3.  When finished, this will be a fully MS Windows-based implementation of SUNSPEC 1.0.