Potential cooling savings from a ground-coupled return-air duct system for residential buildings in hot and humid climates

•Potential cooling benefits for the use of the EAHE system were estimated.•The developed EAHE model was integrated into the DOE-2.1e simulation program.•A typical EAHE system reduces annual cooling energy use of 10–14%.•An extended EAHE system may achieve annual cooling savings of 20–30%.