The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), under funding from the State Technologies 
Advancement Collaborative, will participate in a research project to reduce the 
energy use of residential air-conditioning systems.  The project will focus on the 
development of next-generation central air-conditioning performance ratings, 
development of a central air conditioner specifically for hot/humid climates, and 
contractor training. Southern Company Services will also contribute funds toward 
FSECs portion of the project.

Air conditioning is the largest energy user in most sunbelt region homes. 
Unfortunately, the system to rate air-conditioning systems for efficiency doesn't 
always correspond with energy use in the field, sometimes underestimating energy 
use by 10 - 30 percent.

FSEC will be working with the New York State Energy Research and Development 
Authority, Advanced Energy, and the Energy Center of Wisconsin on this two-year, 
$1.5 million project.  They will be assisted by four subcontractors:  the American 
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, CDH Energy, Wisconsin Energy Conservation 
Corporation and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Researchers will work on developing new approaches recognizing regional needs and 
new technologies in calculating air-conditioner performance ratings.  They will 
also conduct several field studies comparing ratings with actual field performance, 
analyzing the effects of incorrectly sized units, and assessing strategies such as 
control of system cooling capacity and airflow.  In addition to other research 
tasks, an extensive training program will be offered to heating, ventilating and 
air-conditioning contractors.

Don Shirey, a Principal Research Engineer at FSEC, explained that "FSEC's efforts 
will be focused on the tasks related to collecting field performance data on the 
benefits of proper equipment sizing, developing a new central air conditioner 
optimized for hot humid climates, information dissemination, and HVAC contractor 
training.  FSEC has considerable experience in each of these areas and looks 
forward to working with our other collaborative partners in applying our experience 
on this new project."

The State Technologies Advancement Collaborative was created by the National 
Association of State Energy Officials, the Association of State Energy Research and 
Technology Transfer Institutions, and the U.S. Department of Energy to help states 
and the federal government work together on innovative energy research, 
development, demonstration and deployment projects.

For more information on this project, contact Shirey at 321-638-1451.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central 
Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in 
the country.  Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, 
solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, 
alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, and other energy areas. For more 
information, call the FSEC Public Information Office at (321) 638-1015 or 
go to http://www.fsec.ucf.edu.