Building Science at UC Berkeley: Research

Technology Transfer for Alternatives to Compressive Cooling

M. Susan Ubbelohde, Department of Architecture

University of California Energy Institute

Previous research in the CIEE Alternatives to Compressor Cooling project has produced a knowledge base on the technical performance and design of compressorless cooling for transitional climates in California. This knowledge base has been used in the development of a compressorless house design capable of providing thermal comfort in California transition climates and intended for implementation by the production building industry.

In this next phase, the work focuses on technology transfer of the design and technical information and completion of a detailed drawing set for the house prototype previously designed in Phase II. Construction details, mechanical systems and control protocols, and structural design are being brought to completion to prepare the prototype for construction.

As part of the project’s program to broaden industry and designer interest and knowledge in the compressorless house, Professor Ubbelohde served as a juror for the 1997 Gold Nugget Summer Comfort Award (April 23, 1997) and the 1997 Leading Edge Student Design Competition (May 29, 1997).