“Energy efficient technologies — from improved heating and cooling systems to better windows and lighting — provide one of the clearest and most cost-effective opportunities to save consumers money while curbing greenhouse gas pollution,” said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. “User-friendly tools that quickly and cheaply analyze energy use will also help businesses and homeowners make better use of those technologies to save energy and lower their utility bills.”

DOE announced about $6 million for nine projects that will develop new energy efficient building technologies, including HVAC systems and building insulation. The projects also aim to help curb emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Among the selected projects, Sandia National Laboratories along with United Technologies Research Center will demonstrate a rotating heat exchanger technology for residential HVAC systems. And Thermolift, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Stony Brook University, and National Grid will help commercialize a natural gas heat pump to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.

DOE also announced about $5 million to three projects — led by the University of California, Virginia Tech, and Carnegie Mellon University — to develop open source software that helps building owners and operators measure, monitor, and adjust lighting, HVAC, and water heating energy use to save energy without compromising performance. According to a study by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, commercial building owners could save an average 38 percent on heating and cooling bills by installing energy control systems.

Publication date: 8/19/2013

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