Energy Audits Report Called Ducts Inside HVAC Case Studies
Earth Advantage Institute and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance have produced a series of case studies that illustrate successful implementation of the “Ducts Inside” strategy, where the air handler and all ductwork are located inside the conditioned space of a new home. This practice can reduce home energy use by 15-20 percent compared to typical HVAC installations. The studies are designed to inform designers, architects, builders and subcontractors about the benefits and challenges of best practices for building with ducts inside.
The case studies were selected to represent diversity in the residential marketplace, including urban infill, suburban, one-story, two-story, custom, speculative, and production-built homes. These Northwest builders, located in either marine or cold climates, are certifying their homes to one or more green certification standards: ENERGY STAR®, Earth Advantage®, LEED® for Homes, BuiltGreen®, or NAHBGreen®.
