High Performance Homes 1: It’s Achievable Now – Integrated ... · homeowner interaction, which...

High Performance Homes 1:

It’s Achievable Now –

Integrated Design

Karen S. Bushey, VEIC/ Efficiency Vermont

Gregor Masefield, Studio III Architecture

Cooper Smith-Stackhouse, Silver Maple Construction

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Objectives

1. Understand how siting, shape, and orientation can

maximize energy benefits, even before the first detail

has been designed.

2. Locate synergies with HVAC and MEP system design

and layout to reduce cost and create simplicity.

3. Identify durable building assemblies and material

selections that you can stand behind.

4. Understand methods to foster good communication and

therefore trust and respect across the project team and

homeowner interaction, which can lead to a successful

project and future leads.

Why are we here?

Why high performance?

What is it?

Vermont has a plan

2030 Comprehensive Energy Plan

• 30% of new buildings built to net-zero

design standards by 2020

• …and 100% by 2030

• EVERY code-level home built today is a

lost opportunity…

High performance home (HPH)

program origins • Developed with Vermont builders, architects,

and building professionals

• Specific to Vermont’s climate

• Optimized for comfort, cost, and energy use

• Developed with Passive House / Net Zero goals in mind but with less red tape and fewer req’ts

• It is not: – Passive House

– Zero Energy Ready Home (DOE)

– LEED (Silver, Gold, Platinum)

– Living Building Challenge

Efficiency Vermont:

Program criteria highlights EVT: Certified 2.0 EVT: HPH 2.0

Foundation wall R-15 cont. / R-20 cavity R-30

Slab edge R-15 R-30, slab on grade

R-20, slab below grade

Footing ≥ R-8

Under slab R-15 (heated slab only) R-20, unheated below grade

R-30 heated or unheated on grade

Ceiling R-49 sloped / R-60 flat R-60

Above grade wall Min R-5 cont / R-26 total R-40

Air leakage Test to ≤ 2 ACH50 Test to ≤ 1 ACH50

Windows (max) u-0.28 U-0.21

Heat/cool/appliances ENERGY STAR

Ventilation High-efficiency balanced ventilation

Water ENERGY STAR, plus 2/3 of non-filling fixtures are low flow

Incentive $2500 $3000

HPH projects

• Over 200 projects complete

or enrolled in HPH

• Includes single-family, multi-

family, low-income, gut

renovations

• 10-15% of homes that

complete our program

• A partial map

HPH (actual) performance

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

kW

h

EVTC, electric only (kWh)

HPH (kWh)

2015 monthly electricity consumption, HPH vs. EVTC.

HPH data includes homes with min. 1 year of data; net-metered homes excluded.

vs. pre-2018 base program, 541 homes

Adding in fuel…

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

kW

h

EVTC, electric+fuel (kWhe)

HPH (kWh)

2015 monthly electricity consumption, HPH vs. EVTC.

HPH data includes homes with min. 1 year of data; net-metered homes excluded.

VT 2030 Plan states…

For both definitions (of Net Zero), it is important

to ensure that the maximum efficiency is

achieved first, to avoid the installation of

oversized renewable energy systems (whether

on- or off-site) to compensate for unnecessary

energy usage.

A whole-building approach looks at a building as

a system, and recognizes the interaction of all

its components.

Whole Building Approach

+ + + +

+

= +

Images: AR&T Architects

“Value”-Engineered

+ + + +

+

= + ? Images: AR&T Architects

It’s not ALL about Energy

• Healthy

• Comfortable

• Quiet

• Safe and Durable

• Maintains value

• Resilient

• Aesthetically Pleasing

In this session…

What we will cover

1. Work with your SITE

2. Consider SIZE and SHAPE

3. Think ahead/ PLAN

4. CREATE lasting VALUE

5. WORK TOGETHER

Building blocks of good HPH design

H A P P Y

HOME-

OWNERS

Work with your site

Building blocks of good HPH design

Use FREE heat

By Rationalobserver - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40948864

Orient majority of glass south

NREL

Use FREE light

Promotes health

AND Saves energy

What if I can’t?

• If views are to the West?

• If solar access is blocked?

Image: The Finch House, Thomas Doerr, Architect

Not too much

• Avoid overheating

• Shading is CRITICAL

Site planning is easy, right?

High

performance

should be part

of initial

conversations.

Small and Big Challenges • Solar orientation is key

• …but View rules…maybe?

History of ‘The View’ as Ruler Avoid the “View Tube” Scheme

30° off solar south doesn’t work

View and Solar coincide

• Now make everything else work

Site Constraints, Client’s Concept

Make it Work and Fit

Keep it compact

Building blocks of good HPH design

What happened?

Surface to Volume Ratio

impacts energy and buildability

More space to use

Less surface to lose

Simple Footprints = Better Outcomes

≠

… as do simple roofs

NOT a High Performance Home

Photo by Filip Dujardin

First Floor

Second Floor

Floor Plan Impacts Common spaces/ bedrooms South

Utility spaces North

Open floor plan

Keep accessory spaces out of

thermal envelope

N

All but boring

Accessory spaces outside of envelope can

add interest

Think ahead

Building blocks of good HPH design

Thinking Ahead Designing HP Buildings and “Fear of the Unknown”

1. Pre-Construction Planning

2. Envelope Design Windows and Doors

3. HVAC Integration Plumbing and Ducts

1. Pre-Construction Plan

WHEN are you building?

• Weather = BIG impacts

Certification Path

• Pre-certification?

Energy Modeling Benefits

• Helps set energy GOAL early

• Optimize design and highlight least cost options

2. Envelope Design

Structural Systems – Avoid Thermal Bridges

Envelope

Pay attention to Control Layers • Bulk Water, Water Vapor, Air and Thermal

Control Layers – know the difference!

• Know the vapor permeability of all

• Consider placing min. HALF of your R-value to

the exterior of sheathing

• Allow wall to dry

• Identify them in Schematic Design so they don’t get VE’d out

• Performance, budget, lead time, service

• Made in the USA vs Europe

• Review your details with your builder

Windows and Doors

Head, jamb sill details • Constructability Review

• Window location and details

Window details – over-insulation

Passive House Frame Insulation!?

Thinking ahead: in the field

• The additional

detailing and

ambitious targets of

HPHs reward

careful forethought

from builders.

Start early!

• Start early! Do

the simple

exercise of tracing

control layers

before work

begins.

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com

/blogs/dept/building-science/using-

pen-test-control-layers

Air sealing is sporadic…

… But the air control layer must be

continuous.

How will air sealing be woven into the

different phases of construction?

Identify “problem areas” early…

… for all your control layers

Know your materials.

Be prepared to work "clean"

Don’t skip

the preliminary blower door test

3. HVAC Integration

Plumbing

• Proximity of fixtures to water heater

• Size and length of pipe

• Insulate pipes

• Drain water heat recovery

from HVAC hacks and other screwups

Compact Duct DESIGN

• To assure comfort and efficiency, duct

layout and sizing is critical

From Strategy Guideline: Compact Air Distribution Systems, USDOE, June 2013

Locate Ducts Ahead of Time

From paper by Dave Roberts and Jon Winkler of NREL

Simple is Challenging

Complexity • It often doesn’t work the way you thought

• Chase-ways ensure fast and effective installs, and non-interference with

structural elements and control layers.

• Spacious mechanical rooms ensure fast and effective installs, and ease

ongoing maintenance.

Provide ample room for mechanicals

= Goal Achieved

Commission

balanced ventilation

Target set + performance measured

Vermod HP Zero Energy Modular (ZEM)

A good example of what we’re discussing.

Create lasting value

Building blocks of good HPH design

100 Years From Now…

1. Durable – Assemblies

2. Comfortable – Windows

3. Healthy – Materials

4. Aesthetically Pleasing - Places

1. Durable - Assemblies

Arctic/TJI/Larsen Truss

Arctic/TJI/Larsen truss

Double Wall

Exterior Rigid

The ‘slam dunk’ wall system

• Insulation on the outside

Vapor Open Insulation and

Rain Screen

2. Comfortable – Windows

Don’t value engineer them!

• Glazing tool from Payette: Boston

architecture firm

• Models:

– Radiant discomfort

– Downdraft discomfort

• http://www.payette.com/building-

science/glazing-and-winter-comfort-tool

3. Healthy Materials • We have a real problem, be responsible

• Research your materials

Use Plastics Sparingly • Plastic has its place – but it is small

– End up in landfill or water

– Worker health and environmental impact

• Consider replacing with natural/ bio-degradable/ organic

materials

“Aesthetics….? I don’t care” Everyone should care what it looks like.

At the end of the day, that’s what gets you the next job.

aes·thet·ics esˈTHediks/

noun

1.a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty

Work together

Building blocks of good HPH design

Collaboration and Integration

Team – this is bigger than you

Goals

– Happy clients

– Look and function

– On time and on budget

Share the Domain: Builder,

Architect, Engineer, Consultants etc.

– value and respect all input

Communication is Key

• Build communication into entire process with online tools/ software

• A few options:

– BaseCamp

– CoConstruct

– BuilderTREND

– IHMS, Integrated Homebuilder Mgmt. System

– UDA ConstructionSuite Residential

• Record changes, decisions, pricing, etc.

• Understand their aesthetic objectives.

• Discuss your control layers; suggest

alternatives based on real-world

experience.

• Rely on them as a resource.

Communicate in the field: Architect

Communicate in the field: Carpenters

• Bring your co-workers along for the ride!

• Get excited about quantified building!

• Encourage questions and be prepared to

educate.

• Be clear on objectives, challenges, and

strategies to overcome them. (Mockups,

prints, etc.)

Mockups are helpful.

Air sealing is the new flashing…

… Encourage your crew to “Think like air!”

https://inhabitat.com/urban-reef-jason-decaires-taylor-creates-an-

underwater-suburbia-to-revive-cancuns-struggling-coral-reefs/

… and it’s everyone’s job.

This is the lead’s job…

Communicate in the field: Subs

Meet with them when they arrive on site.

Go over plans,

point out control

layers, and

discuss potential

problem areas

and solutions.

http://www.popeplumbing.com

Have what they need on hand

https://gorillacarts.com/product/gor400/

https://foursevenfi

ve.com/product-

category/air-

sealing-

system/duct-pipe-

airsealing/

You know you’ve done a good job

when…

https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/

inversion-vortex-house-art-project

= Happy homeowners (and more projects

like this)

Building blocks of good HPH design

Thank you!

Karen S. Bushey, VEIC/ Efficiency Vermont

ksbushey@efficiencyvermont.com

Gregor Masefield, Studio III Architecture

gregor@studio3architecture.net

Cooper Smith-Stackhouse, Silver Maple Construction

cooper@silvermapleconstruction.com