Research
Thermal Mass Cooling
The “passive” cross breeze becomes an “active” breeze for QuietCool homeowners, and this is the key to thermal mass cooling. Passive breezes within a home will eventually cool the ambient air to a comfortable level, but will not move enough air to cool the mass within the home.
When correctly sized for any size home, a QuietCool system will fully exchange the entire air volume of a home 15-20 times per hour, or about one full air exchange every 3 to 4 minutes. The “active” breeze that is created by a QuietCool system is how QuietCool “works.”
Mass “cooling” results because the QuietCool system is removing stale hot air and replacing it with fresh cool air; all this occurring at a high rate of speed and volume, 15-20 times per hour.
Therefore, instead of recycling hot, stale ambient air through a closed-loop air conditioning system, the QuietCool system is exchanging hot, stale ambient air with fresh, cool outside air, through an open-loop whole house ventilation system… and at a fraction of the cost of running an air conditioner.
Net Effect of Cooled Mass
This is for insulated homes that are closed during the day.
A “cool mass” home does not reheat as much or as quickly as a “hot mass” home. Within a day or two of installing a QuietCool system, homeowners are amazed when they come home after work… it was 90 – 100 ++ degrees outside, and they walk into a home that is… not 90 degrees, but maybe 72, 74 or 76 degrees.
The reason is because the mass of the home has been cooled by the QuietCool system, and thus did not reheat as rapidly throughout the day as a typical home would. The initial reaction from new QuietCool owners is one of amazement and is the reason why so many QuietCool sales are made through referrals.
QuietCool is truly a revolutionary product that allows people to save money by turning their A/C off and turning their QuietCool system on!
No, but it does matter where your open windows are located. Air, like water, flows in the path of least resistance. The bigger the window and the closer to the fan, the less resistance that location provides. This can mean opening windows strategically to channel air to specific areas of the home that you want to cool. Please note that jalousie windows cannot usually be sealed completely and even when closed may affect the path your air takes to the fan.
In zones where there is no circulation, additional fans can be used to target those specific areas.
A Whole House Fan is very effective in moving a large quantity of air. The QC4500, for example moves 4500 CFM. If 4,500 cubic feet of air per minute is moved through only one window you will feel a very consistent breeze. To decrease the strength of the breeze simply open another window. Now the 4,500 CFM is divided between two windows at 2,250 CFM per window, 4 windows would change the air flow per window to 1,100 CFM. (A room fan moves about 1,400 CFM) Opening more windows doesn’t decrease the overall airflow, but decreases the airflow per opening for less breeze per window. To increase the Breeze Effect, target the area of the house by closing some windows.
Please note that jalousie windows cannot usually be sealed completely and even when closed may affect the path your air takes to the fan.
Past fans had a reputation for being noisy. Using insulated ducts, and optimized motors, QuietCool whole house fans are the quietest systems available with sound levels that vary from 43dB (decibels) to 57dB depending on the size of the system. For comparison, this is similar to a normal oscillating fan on low or high.
While these sound levels are considered very quiet, not all systems are appropriate for installation in all areas. (You wouldn’t want to put a larger unit in a bedroom). Also, since many Hawaii homes lack insulation, it’s important to talk with a consultant who can help you to determine the correct system and location for your home.
Alternative Fuels Data Center
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data and tools to help fleets and other transportation decision-makers find ways to reduce petroleum consumption through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and other fuel-saving measures.
Green Power Network
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Green Power Network provides news and information on green power markets and activities, including opportunities to buy green power. This site provides state-by-state information on green power marketing and utility green power programs. In addition, the site lists marketers of renewable energy credits (RECs), also known as green tags or renewable energy certificates, which represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient. Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy-efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. The WAP program web site offers a state-by-state map of opportunities, projects and activities.
