A validation study was conducted to determine the accuracy of three computer programs, DOE- 2.1B, EMPS 2.1, and TARP84 in predicting the hourly energy use of residential structures. A validation data set was developed that consisted of previously conducted measurements of energy use and interior space temperatures for residential. buildings. It was required that the buildings be unoccupied, have measured on site weather and measured .infiltration for a range of weather conditions, and have the thermal properties of the building throughly documented. The measured data base consisted of NBS Test Houses, the ORNL ACES Control House, and the NBS Houston Test House. Each of these houses met these criteria, and the thermal properties of the walls, roof, and floor slab were measured for the NBS Test Houses. A comparison of computed and measured values of the hourly energy consumption, indoor temperature, and attic temperature is made for a winter and summer period. Overall agreement is satisfactory, however DOE-2.1B overpredicts the cooling energy required for the high mass NBS Test Houses, and EMPS 2.1 underpredicts the required heating energy in some cases. Agreement is excellent for low mass frame structures, such as attics.

Units: Dual