Creating a VISION of Resilient Living

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 20 TruComfort™ Variable Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard™.

Extreme Temperature Management with Heat Pump Systems

A variable speed heat pump uses only the electricity that’s needed in any given weather and runs at the speed your house needs to stay comfortable, says Chelsea Hudson, Variable Speed Product Manager at Trane Technologies.

“This enables the variable speed compressor, outdoor fan, and indoor fan to adjust their speeds in response to changing outdoor temperatures. They can gradually slow down or speed up as needed,” Hudson notes. “With speed adjustments in increments as precise as 1/10 of 1%, the Trane 20 TruComfort™ Variable Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard™ delivers unparalleled comfort and efficiency in the industry.”

When the heat pump is connected to the Trane Link thermostat, the system will automatically change, configure and calibrate for optimal performance.

For homeowners who choose dual or multiple zones for their home, variable speed heat pumps make it easier to regulate the temperature in various areas of their home, which helps save energy. A variable speed 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 20 TruComfort™ Variable Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard™ is quiet, and its top-tier efficiency ratings help you save on energy bills.”

Variable speed heat pumps tend to be more durable than single-speed heat pumps since they accelerate and decelerate more gradually. Additionally, the air circulation allows the filter to capture indoor air pollutants.

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 variable speed 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.”