scholarly journals Assessment of Using Heat Pumps for Heating in Mobile Homes: A Case Study from North Carolina

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Hussein Abaza
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Mobile Homes ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
The North ◽  
Low Income Families

This paper presents the results of “Upgrade and Save”, a program to upgrade the standard electric furnaces and air-conditioning units in Mobile Homes for energy-efficient heat pumps. This program is implemented in North Carolina, USA and pays about $700 through a rebate provided by the North Carolina State Energy Office to the Mobile Homes' owners. The goal of this project is to subsidize low-income families by lowering their heating cost in the winter as well as improving their homes' indoor thermal comfort. More than 300 mobile homes have participated in this program. Field measurements, meter readings of the actual electrical consumption, and annual building energy simulation were used to measure the dollar saving and the indoor thermal comfort improvement in the mobile homes after the heating system upgrade. This research proved that the dollar saving of using the heat pump for heating in mobile homes ranges from $51 to $128 annually.

scholarly journals Impacts on Indoor Thermal Comfort and Heating Energy Use in Hellenic Dwellings from Occupant Behavioral Reactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6254
Author(s):  
Elena G. Dascalaki ◽  
Constantinos A. Balaras
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Local Heating ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Audits

In an effort to reduce the operational cost of their dwellings, occupants may even have to sacrifice their indoor thermal comfort conditions. Following the economic recession in Greece over recent years, homeowners have been forced to adapt their practices by shortening heating hours, lowering the indoor thermostat settings, isolating spaces that are not heated or even turning off their central heating system and using alternative local heating systems. This paper presents the results from over 100 occupant surveys using questionnaires and walk-through energy audits in Hellenic households that documented how occupants operated the heating systems in their dwellings and the resulting indoor thermal comfort conditions and actual energy use. The results indicate that the perceived winter thermal comfort conditions were satisfactory in only half of the dwellings, since the actual operating space heating periods averaged only 5 h (compared with the assumed 18 h in standard conditions), while less than half heated their entire dwellings and only a fifth maintained an indoor setpoint temperature of 20 °C, corresponding to standard comfort conditions. Mainstream energy conservation measures include system maintenance, switching to more efficient systems, reducing heat losses and installing controls. This information is then used to derive empirical adaptation factors for bridging the gap between the calculated and actual energy use, making more realistic estimates of the expected energy savings following building renovations, setting prudent targets for energy efficiency and developing effective plans toward a decarbonized building stock.

scholarly journals Qualitative perspectives of the North Carolina healthy food small retailer program among customers in participating stores located in food deserts

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow ◽  
Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Kathryn A. Boys ◽  
Jared T. McGuirt ◽  
Sheila Fleischhacker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Food Deserts ◽  
State Legislature ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
The State ◽  
The North

Abstract Background The North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (NC HFSRP) was established through a policy passed by the state legislature to provide funding for small food retailers located in food deserts with the goal of increasing access to and sales of healthy foods and beverages among local residents. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine perceptions of the NC HFSRP among store customers. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 customers from five NC HFSRP stores in food deserts across eastern NC. Interview questions were related to shoppers’ food and beverage purchases at NC HFSRP stores, whether they had noticed any in-store efforts to promote healthier foods and beverages, their suggestions for promoting healthier foods and beverages, their familiarity with and support of the NC HFSRP, and how their shopping and consumption habits had changed since implementation of the NC HFSRP. A codebook was developed based on deductive (from the interview guide questions) and inductive (emerged from the data) codes and operational definitions. Verbatim transcripts were double-coded and a thematic analysis was conducted based on code frequency, and depth of participant responses for each code. Results Although very few participants were aware of the NC HFSRP legislation, they recognized changes within the store. Customers noted that the provision of healthier foods and beverages in the store had encouraged them to make healthier purchase and consumption choices. When a description of the NC HFSRP was provided to them, all participants were supportive of the state-funded program. Participants discussed program benefits including improving food access in low-income and/or rural areas and making healthy choices easier for youth and for those most at risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Conclusions Findings can inform future healthy corner store initiatives in terms of framing a rationale for funding or policies by focusing on increased food access among vulnerable populations.

Contribution of Balcony on Thermal Comfort : Rusunawa Surabaya

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-21
Author(s):  
Rika Kisnarini ◽  
Johannes Krisdianto ◽  
Iwan Adi Indrawan
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Functional Space ◽  
Air Movement ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Absolute Requirement ◽  
Human Need ◽  
Low Income Families

Dwelling, which is a basic human need (Maslow, 1970) should act as an object of technology that serves as a place for individuals or families to conduct all their daily activities in order to meet their needs in life. In case of sustainability, thermal comfort is one of the most important comfort conditions that must be achieved (Szokolay SV, 1980). Proper air movement control may lessen the demand for energy, thus reducing the expense of providing a comfortable home (Boutet, 1987). However, to ensure the acceleration of air movement, the availability of both inlet and outlet openings in the building or space become an absolute requirement (Olgyay Victor, 1973). Rusunawa is a typical rental-apartment in Indonesia that served for low income families. The types of existing space generally include: a multi-functional space, a kitchen, and a bathroom/WC, and sometimes is furnished by a balcony. There is only one living space in rusunawa that is the multi-functional space which is often used for: living, sleeping, studying, watching TV, eating, storing, child-caring, and probably more other functions. Not to mention if the family has a home-based business. Among rusunawa unit types that existed in all fourteen locations in Surabaya, some of them were built without a really outdoor balcony, meaning that the balconies were provided indoor, instead of in the cantilever system. These indoor balconies accommodate the same household activities as those of outdoor balconies. However, the contribution to the internal thermal comfort may not be the same. By using Ecotect analysis 2011 program, This research intends to investigate the comparison of thermal conditions of the inner space between rusunawa unit having a balcony (outdoor), and rusunawa unit without a balcony (indoor). The result of this comparison is meant to convince the contribution of unit having a balcony to the thermal comfort of inner space, to ensure whether the design of the future rusunawa units should be equipped with a balcony or not. To further reassure its contribution, this experiment is continued by comparing between unit having just a balcony and unit having a balcony that equipped with sun-devices.

scholarly journals Influence of Attached Sunspaces on Indoor Thermal Comfort. The Case Study of a Traditional Asturian House

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (23) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Susana Lage-Cal ◽  
M. B. Folgueras-Díaz ◽  
Juan Carlos Luengo-García
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Impact ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
The North ◽  
North Of Spain ◽  
Comfort Condition ◽  
Atlantic Area

Attached sunspaces are widely employed in the higher floors of traditional residences in the North of Spain. More specifically, in Asturias, it is easy to find them south-oriented and cantilever-positioned. This helps to take the greatest advantage of sun rays, especially during long winter months, and provides a ground-leveled, rain-protected, arcaded space. The function of such space is being a passing area (if it is to be found in a city house), or an exterior mudroom (if it is to be found in a country estate). With respect to the thermal impact of attached sunspaces in inner comfort condition, it is worth determining whether they are truly valuable elements, suitable to be employed in contemporary passive residences in the Atlantic area, or if their climate-dependant performance invalidates such use.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation on Indoor Thermal Comfort of a new Integrated Rural Heating System

2015 ◽  
Vol 121 ◽  
pp. 1111-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Li ◽  
Lan Chi ◽  
Jintai Guo ◽  
Changxiang Liu ◽  
Ying Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort

scholarly journals Teacher Mobility, School Segregation, and Pay-Based Policies to Level the Playing Field

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Clotfelter ◽  
Helen F. Ladd ◽  
Jacob L. Vigdor
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Minority Students ◽  
Teacher Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Teacher Mobility ◽  
School Segregation ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Retaining Teachers ◽  
Low Income Families

Research has consistently shown that teacher quality is distributed very unevenly among schools, to the clear disadvantage of minority students and those from low-income families. Using North Carolina data on the length of time individual teachers remain in their schools, we examine the potential for using salary differentials to overcome this pattern. We conclude that salary differentials are a far less effective tool for retaining teachers with strong preservice qualifications than for retaining other teachers in schools with high proportions of minority students. Consequently large salary differences would be needed to level the playing field when schools are segregated. This conclusion reflects our finding that teachers with stronger qualifications are both more responsive to the racial and socioeconomic mix of a school's students and less responsive to salary than are their less-qualified counterparts when making decisions about remaining in their current school, moving to another school or district, or leaving the teaching profession.

Rural-Urban Blood Lead Differences in North Carolina Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Edward H. Norman ◽  
W. Clayton Bordley ◽  
Irva Hertz-Picciotto ◽  
Dale A. Newton
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Lead Level ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Income Families

Objective. To examine the prevalence of and risk factors for having a blood lead elevation among young children in a predominantly rural state. Methods. 20 720 North Carolina children at least 6 months and <6 years of age were screened between November 1, 1992 and April 30, 1993 using either capillary or venous measurements of blood lead. Children were tested through routine screening programs that target low-income families and, hence, were not randomly selected. Eighty-one percent of the children were screened through local public health departments, and 19% were tested at private clinics. Results. The estimated prevalences of having an elevated blood lead level among those tested were: 20.2% (≥10 µg/dL), 3.2% (≥15 µg/dL), and 1.1% (≥20 µdL). Black children were at substantially increased risk of having a blood lead ≥15 µ/dL (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7 to 2.5). Children aged 2 years old had an elevated risk (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) compared to 1-year-olds, and males were at slightly increased risk (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0 to 14). Living in a rural county was nearly as strong a risk factor as race (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.6 to 24). The effect of rural residence was even greater among certain subgroups of children already at highest risk of having an elevated blood lead. The type of clinic (public vs private) where a child was screened was not associated with blood lead outcome. These same trends were seen for children with blood lead levels ≥20 µ/dL. Conclusions. Among children screened from rural communities, the prevalence of elevated blood lead is surprisingly high. Though few physicians have embraced universal lead screening, these data support the need for greater awareness of lead exposure in children living outside of inner-cities.

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