Award Date

5-2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Construction Management

Department

Engineering

First Committee Member

Pramen P. Shrestha, Chair

Second Committee Member

David R. Shields

Third Committee Member

Neil D. Opfer

Graduate Faculty Representative

Nancy Nivison Menzel

Number of Pages

151

Abstract

The reduction of energy consumption is one of the economic necessities in the United States due to depleting energy sources in the world. The construction industry is stepping forward to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by efficient designs or by constructing buildings with energy efficient materials and features. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) introduced the Energy Star Program to promote energy efficient products with the same or improved services. According to the EPA, Energy Star homes, which use these products, will consume 20 to 30 percent less energy than non-Energy Star homes.

This study compares the energy consumption of Energy Star and non-Energy Star homes. The data for similar types of 30 Energy Star and 30 non-Energy Star homes located in Henderson, Nevada were collected to perform statistical analysis. This study statistically compared annual, summer, and winter energy (electricity, natural gas, and water) consumption of these two types of homes. This study also identified the characteristics of buildings, appliances, and homeowners’ behaviors that have a significant effect on the energy consumption.

Keywords

Architecture and energy conservation; Dwellings energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy Star (Program); Henderson (Nev.); Nevada

Disciplines

Construction Engineering and Management | Environmental Design | Natural Resources and Conservation | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Sustainability

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/


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