Developing a Calculator for Evaluating Physical
Design Characteristics and Whole House Performance: A Preliminary
Method (June 2005, 42 p)
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FULL TEXT:
Adobe
Acrobat (*.pdf, 245 KB)
Sample Calculation:
Example
l - Typical House
(*.xls, 225 KB)
Example
2 - Systems Approach House
(*.xls, 2.24 MB)
Supplemental Data:
#1: A
Review of Programs Embracing a Whole-House
or
Systems Approach for Housing (*.pdf,
420 KB)
#2: A
Review of Programs and Standards Relative
to Whole-House/Systems Design and Construction:
Energy and Environmental Systems (*.pdf,
668 KB)
#3: A
Review of Communications, Electrical, and
Plumbing Systems Relative to Whole-House/Systems
Design and Construction (*.pdf, 183
KB)
#4: A
Review of Structural Systems Relative to
Whole-House/Systems Design and Construction
(*.pdf, 60 KB)
#5: Non-Technical
Needs and Opportunities for a Whole-House
Approach to Home Building (*.pdf, 68
KB) |
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This Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing report
outlines the development of a 'whole house calculator’
that quantitatively assesses choices available in the processes,
materials, components and systems of residential construction.
The calculator is adapted, for residential construction, from
the Environmental Evaluation System developed by Battelle
Laboratories for systematically evaluating the impact of alternative
projects.
The calculator provides a means for calculating a "whole
house score." Each characteristic of a house and each
design and construction process receive a performance score.
These scores are then modified by values of the prospective
homebuyer or builder and further modified by the way in which
construction materials and processes interact with others
to produce a "whole house score." Two sample applications
of the calculator are included with this report as MS Excel
files.
The calculator will make it possible to do "what if"
comparisons and to strategically plan residential construction
with a comprehensive systems approach. Although this report
presents the first steps in the development of the calculator,
it is a promising tool for prospective builders, buyers, and
other stakeholders that can conceivably be made available
online in the future.
Five supplemental data reports accompany this report. Each
contains background research completed in preparation for
developing and testing the whole house calculator.
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