Potential energy savings achievable by using isothermal dehumidification instead of conventional air conditioning systems are modeled on a technology-agnostic basis. First, we use simple thermodynamics to model potential device-level energy savings by dehumidifying isothermally instead of by sub-dew-point cooling. A model for dehumidification demand in a prototypical house is then developed, and the device-level model is applied to the house under relevant climactic norms and weather extremes. Finally, we model all U.S. houses by coupling the household model with a statistical model for air infiltration representing all single-family, detached homes in the United States. The results show potential nationwide electricity savings of 8–25 ${\text{TWh}}_{\mathrm{e}}/\mathrm{y},$ or 5–14% of electricity usage for space cooling in U.S. single-family homes, depending on weather. The results also display large regional differences, with moist hot climates having the greatest potential absolute energy savings, but moist temperate climates having the greatest potential relative energy savings. Individual houses with high balance-point temperatures in moist climate zones are likely to derive the greatest benefit by using isothermal dehumidification over conventional systems. Ultimately, this technology-agnostic analysis provides fundamental, thermodynamics-based insight into where, when, and how isothermal dehumidification devices can reduce the energy and greenhouse gas footprints of space cooling.

通过使用等温除湿而不是传统空调系统实现的潜在节能是在技术不可知的基础上建模的。首先，我们使用简单的热力学通过等温除湿而不是亚露点冷却来模拟潜在的设备级节能。然后开发原型房屋的除湿需求模型，并将设备级模型应用于相关气候规范和极端天气下的房屋。最后，我们通过将家庭模型与代表美国所有单户独立屋的空气渗透统计模型相结合，对所有美国房屋进行建模。结果显示全国潜在的节电 8-25${\text{太瓦时}}_{\mathrm{电子}}/\mathrm{是},$或 5-14% 的电力用于美国单户住宅的空间冷却，具体取决于天气。结果还显示出很大的区域差异，湿热气候具有最大的潜在绝对节能潜力，而潮湿温带气候具有最大的潜在相对节能潜力。在潮湿气候区具有高平衡点温度的个别房屋可能会通过使用等温除湿而不是传统系统获得最大的好处。最终，这种与技术无关的分析提供了基于热力学的基本洞察力，了解等温除湿设备在何处、何时以及如何减少空间冷却的能源和温室气体足迹。