A systematic approach to extreme temperatures adds comfort and healthy indoor air quality to the VISION House Austin.
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Record heat waves with temperatures above 100 degrees for days on end are becoming the norm in Austin – and so are icy winters with snow and wind chills near zero. The rolling brownouts and susceptibility to power outages that have become more common can be addressed through architecture, energy-efficient technology, demand-side energy management, and solar panels with storage. To demonstrate the power of these approaches, Green Builder Media, in partnership with well-known sustainable architects Peter Pfeiffer and Alan Barley of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture in Austin, is building VISION House Austin for Robert and Judi George.
The George’s home, which will include universal design elements to allow them to live independently and comfortably, will showcase the best in building science practices, new products, and healthy home systems.
The combination of elements needed to provide a comfortable, healthy, net zero energy, all-electric, smart, solar-powered resilient house include high-tech features such as Trane’s 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump .
Extreme Temperature Management with Heat Pump Systems
A heat pump uses electricity to provide both heating and cooling by transferring heat between the indoors and the outdoors in any given weather to you stay comfortable, says Chelsea Hudson, Variable and Multi-Speed Product Manager at Trane Technologies.
“The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump operates at one consistent speed whenever it’s running,” Hudson explains. “It’s built for reliable, all-electric heating and cooling, plus it uses an environmentally friendly R-454B refrigerant. With a SEER2 rating of up to 17 and HSPF2 up to 8.5, it delivers dependable comfort and energy efficiency in a straightforward, cost-effective design.”
The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump heat pump can also mitigate excessive humidity, which can be a big contributor to discomfort during Austin’s hot summers. Dehumidified air feels cooler than humid air, which means less work for the heat pump. Poor humidity management can increase energy usage by more than 30%, according to Trane’s research.
“Trane products are put through 16 weeks of extreme testing,” Hudson says. “If they don’t pass our tests, they don’t go into production. The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump is quiet, reliable, and its high efficiency ratings help you save on energy bills.”
Power of Resilient Homes
Consumers value resilient homes for their safety, health, and energy efficiency benefits. In addition, most believe a resilient home will have a higher resale value in the future, according to a recent Green Builder Media COGNITION survey.
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
A “resilient home” means different things to various consumers, including resistance to storm damage and energy independence, which can be enhanced with energy efficient systems such as a heat pump.
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
Besides looking for resilient features in their homes, consumers also look for companies that are championing sustainability and electrification.
“With the new HVAC industry requirements to transition to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, Trane is further extending its commitment to sustainability,” Hudson says. “Our redesigned residential product portfolio boasts 78% less GWP compared to traditional refrigerants.”
Creating a VISION of Resilient Living
A systematic approach to extreme temperatures adds comfort and healthy indoor air quality to the VISION House Austin.
Sponsored Content
Record heat waves with temperatures above 100 degrees for days on end are becoming the norm in Austin – and so are icy winters with snow and wind chills near zero. The rolling brownouts and susceptibility to power outages that have become more common can be addressed through architecture, energy-efficient technology, demand-side energy management, and solar panels with storage. To demonstrate the power of these approaches, Green Builder Media, in partnership with well-known sustainable architects Peter Pfeiffer and Alan Barley of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture in Austin, is building VISION House Austin for Robert and Judi George.
The George’s home, which will include universal design elements to allow them to live independently and comfortably, will showcase the best in building science practices, new products, and healthy home systems.
The combination of elements needed to provide a comfortable, healthy, net zero energy, all-electric, smart, solar-powered resilient house include high-tech features such as Trane’s 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump .
Extreme Temperature Management with Heat Pump Systems
A heat pump uses electricity to provide both heating and cooling by transferring heat between the indoors and the outdoors in any given weather to you stay comfortable, says Chelsea Hudson, Variable and Multi-Speed Product Manager at Trane Technologies.
“The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump operates at one consistent speed whenever it’s running,” Hudson explains. “It’s built for reliable, all-electric heating and cooling, plus it uses an environmentally friendly R-454B refrigerant. With a SEER2 rating of up to 17 and HSPF2 up to 8.5, it delivers dependable comfort and energy efficiency in a straightforward, cost-effective design.”
The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump heat pump can also mitigate excessive humidity, which can be a big contributor to discomfort during Austin’s hot summers. Dehumidified air feels cooler than humid air, which means less work for the heat pump. Poor humidity management can increase energy usage by more than 30%, according to Trane’s research.“Trane products are put through 16 weeks of extreme testing,” Hudson says. “If they don’t pass our tests, they don’t go into production. The Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump is quiet, reliable, and its high efficiency ratings help you save on energy bills.”
Power of Resilient Homes
Consumers value resilient homes for their safety, health, and energy efficiency benefits. In addition, most believe a resilient home will have a higher resale value in the future, according to a recent Green Builder Media COGNITION survey.
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
A “resilient home” means different things to various consumers, including resistance to storm damage and energy independence, which can be enhanced with energy efficient systems such as a heat pump.
Source: COGNITION Smart Data
Besides looking for resilient features in their homes, consumers also look for companies that are championing sustainability and electrification.
“With the new HVAC industry requirements to transition to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, Trane is further extending its commitment to sustainability,” Hudson says. “Our redesigned residential product portfolio boasts 78% less GWP compared to traditional refrigerants.”
By Michele Lerner, Associate Editor
Michele Lerner is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and author who writes about real estate, personal finance, and business.Also Read