Gas vs Electric: Space and Domestic Hot Water Heating System Fuel Source Implications on Low-Energy Single-Family Dwelling Sustainability Performance

Published

May 6, 2019

Author(s)

Eric G. O'Rear, David H. Webb, Joshua D. Kneifel, Cheyney M. O'Fallon

Abstract

With an increasing interest in more sustainable infrastructure, greater focus has been placed on cost-effective low-energy residential buildings, including state policies requiring new homes to be built to reach net-zero energy performance. Common factors considered in the feasibility of reaching net zero building design goals include the definition of net-zero selected (e.g. site energy versus source energy) and location of the building being constructed (e.g. climate). However, limited research has been completed on the impact of heating fuel type selection has on sustainability performance when evaluating low-energy building design goals. Heating fuel type is an important factor because space and water heating accounts for a significant fraction of home energy consumption and consumers often have an option between natural gas and electric heating systems. Using data from the new BIRDS v4.0 Incremental Energy Efficiency for Residential Buildings Database, this research case study observes the impacts of fuel source type on a building’s sustainability performance based on comparisons of low-energy and net-zero energy building designs. Results suggest that electric-powered heating equipment is likely to perform better in terms of energy savings. However, these savings come at the expense of increased life-cycle costs as well as a greater environmental footprint.

Citation

Journal of Building Engineering

Volume

25

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100779

Keywords

Natural gas, electricity, space heating, domestic water heating, low-energy, net-zero energy, whole-building simulation, residential buildings, life-cycle assessment, life-cycle costing

Citation

O'Rear, E. , Webb, D. , Kneifel, J. and O'Fallon, C. (2019), Gas vs Electric: Space and Domestic Hot Water Heating System Fuel Source Implications on Low-Energy Single-Family Dwelling Sustainability Performance, Journal of Building Engineering, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100779 (Accessed April 26, 2024)