%0 Conference Proceedings
%A Alan K Meier
%A Quentin Aillot
%B Energy Efficient Domestic Appliances and Lighting
%C Luzern, Switzerland
%D 2015
%G eng
%T Builder-Installed Electrical Loads in New Homes
%8 08/2015
%X <p>The “builder-installed” electrical products are the appliances and components installed by the builder<br />during construction and prior to occupancy. Some of these components are required by safety codes,<br />such as smoke detectors, others are needed to support the communications infrastructure, and still<br />others provide features that future occupants will find useful, such as remotely controlled garage door<br />openers. We compiled a list of over 50 builder-installed devices that are likely to have continuous<br />power consumption, and measurements of power consumption for a smaller group. Individual<br />components consume very little power but a typical North American home can easily have 80 W of<br />continuous power – corresponding to over 650 kWh/year – devoted to these components. The types<br />of products and power consumption may be different in Europe or Japan. Techniques to reduce this<br />energy use include: selection of lowest-power solutions when a range of power consumptions are<br />available, more efficient circuitry and power management, a separate DC circuit to serve DC-powered<br />appliances, and use of energy-scavenging sensors and controls in place of grid-powered<br />components. A protocol to define and measure builder-installed loads, along with a recommended<br />ceiling, might also stimulate savings.</p>