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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
Gregor Masefield, Studio III Architecture
Cooper Smith-Stackhouse, Silver Maple Construction
