Driving Innovation in Housing Technology

BA High Performance Retrofits

Amber Wood

Manager, Energy Programs

EEBA Conference 2011

September 14, 2011

Building America

Private/public R&D partnership sponsored by DOE

Energy-efficient solutions for new and existing housing Technologies/Systems Whole-House Test Homes Quality Processes

Greenbelt Homes, Inc.

Privately-owned co-op

1,600 units 4 units/building

1930’s-40’s Roosevelt work-

force housing

1970’s Energy Upgrade

Insulation Attic Crawlspaces Exterior walls

Replace steel frame windows

Remove oil-fired boilers

Install electric baseboard

Install 52 gal electric water heaters

Upgrade electrical

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GHI Pilot Program

Community Upgrade in 2015

7 buildings, 28 units 3 block 2 frame 2 brick

Goals: Health & safety Comfort Increased IEQ Durability

Affordability

Why?

Motivations for pilot program: Lower utility bills Comfort Lower life-cycle costs

Maintenance & replacement

Photo by Doriann Asch courtesy of www.greenbelthomes.net

Pilot Program

Baseline Monitoring (2010-2011) Pre-Retrofit baseline Install Monitoring Equipment Air infiltration Temperature/Humidity/Energy Use Humidity

Building Envelope Upgrades (2011-2012) Retrofit building envelopes Monitor envelope upgrade

HVAC Upgrades (2012-2013) Retrofit HVAC Monitor upgrade package

Pilot House Assessment

Walk-Through Evaluation Visual Inspection Homeowner Operation Utility Bills

Short-term Testing

8Photo by Celestine Ranney-Howes courtesy of www.greenbelthomes.net

Walk-Through Evaluation

Dimensions Insulation

Walls, ceilings, and foundations, Baseboard heaters

Locations , calculating capacity Hot water system Appliances

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Baseline Short-term Testing

Blower door test Multi-point house depressurization Simultaneous blower doors in

adjacent units Significant air leakage

Attic access panels Air conditioners Penetrations

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Pre-Remodel Assessment Summary

Simulation Parameters 13 of the 28 homes Painted block

End & inside units Block w/ Vinyl

End & inside units End & inside units w/

basement

Frame w/Brick End & inside units

Frame w/Vinyl End & inside units End, front addition End, side addition w/

large glass area End, full rear addition Inside, full rear addition

13Artwork by Isabelle Gournay courtesy of www.greenbelthomes.net

Beopt Energy Simulation Optimizations

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All electric Source savings = electricity savings

Annualized cost of the upgrades + utility costs 30 years at 7%

Block unit example:

Energy Simulation Optimization

Block unit example Costs & savings comparison

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Installation Costs for Building Envelope Improvements

Evaluated on a per-building basis

Do not include remediation associated with environmental hazards (such as lead paint, radon, or asbestos)

Costs are exclusive of management fees

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Durability & IAQ

Mechanical ventilation Crawlspace moisture management

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GHI Reserve Funds

Cost Analysis

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Masonry Block BuildingRecommendations

Exterior Wall Insulation R-12 (2”-3”) Finishing

Siding Ext insulation finish

system (EIFS)

Window U=0.30 &SHGC=0.30

Exterior Door U-value ≤ 0.23

Crawlspace Wall Insulation Repair Continuous R-10

Porch Slab Insulation Installation R-12 (2” closed cell

spray foam)

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Frame w/Brick BuildingRecommendations

Attic Sealing & Insulation R-38 Storage?

Create space using 2” rigid foam and OSB

Window U=0.30 &SHGC=0.30

Exterior Door U-value ≤ 0.23

Crawlspace Wall Insulation Repair Continuous R-10

Porch Slab Insulation Installation R-12 (2” closed cell

spray foam)

22Photo courtesy of www.greenbelthomes.net

Frame w/Vinyl BuildingRecommendations

Exterior Wall Insulation Taped WRB R-5 (1” rigid foam) Replace siding

Attic Sealing & Insulation R-38 Storage?

Window U=0.30

&SHGC=0.30 Exterior Door

U-value ≤ 0.23 Crawlspace Wall

Insulation Repair R-19 (3” closed cell

spray foam)

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Energy & Performance Monitoring

Indoor air temperature and relative humidity in multiple locations;

Crawlspace and outdoor temperature and relative humidity;

Heating energy use (where feasible); Hot water energy use; Dryer energy use (if applicable); and Total electric energy use.

24Photo courtesy of www.greenbelthomes.net

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Long-term Monitoring

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Energy Use Analysis

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Retrofit Solutions for Enhancing Energy Efficiency

Energy Savings: Household to National Comfort: Temperature swings to

consistency Moisture: Reduce potential problems Indoor Air: Controlled ventilation Technology: Options and performance Installation: Contractor training/QA Cost: Installation/operation/

savings Value: Demonstrate values at sale

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Questions?

Driving Innovation in Housing Technology

Thank You!

Amber Wood

NAHB Research Center

Manager, Energy Programs

400 Prince George’s Blvd Upper Marlboro, MD 20774(direct) 301.430.6309 (fax) 301.430.6180

www.nahbrc.com