Center for Energy and Environment

AIA COTE | April 2015

A leading research center providing technical expertise

and tools for building and energy professionals

Megan Hoye, LEED AP

Innovation Exchange, Engagement Coordinator

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35+ Years of Clean Energy

Accomplishments

Program Design and Delivery

80,000 Residential Customers

Supervised and tested 13,300

homes in the Sound Insulation Program

Completed over 10,500 lighting

retrofits resulting in $98M annual savings

Lending Center

25,000 loans totaling over $190M

Close over 800 loans annually

Average loan amount is

$8,000

Engineering Services

Independent 3rd party

investigators

Investigated over 30M square feet of

buildings

Average building sees a less then 2

year payback

Research

Nationally recognized

Research informs all of our programs

Published over 125 technical papers

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PRIMARY TAKEAWAY:

• Our Work Is Synergistic

• We provide feedback from the back end

• You provide feedback from the front end

• Making a push for more designer-friendly research findings

• Historically existing building research

• Evolving dissemination

• Wide range of audiences

• Opportunities for future collaboration & feedback

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Acknowledgements

Administers MN Conservation Applied Research & Development (CARD) grants

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Research Project Snapshot

Commercial

Envelope Air Leakage

RTU Cold Climate Optimization

Duct Leakage

Window Retrofits

Condensing Boiler Optimization*

ERV Performance*

Indoor Pool Equip. Efficiency*

Small Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

RTU Baseline Performance

Hot Water Recirculation

Energy Code Compliance*

Multifamily

Multifamily Ventilation

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Single-Family

Tankless Water Heaters

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Air Source Heat Pumps

Condensing Boiler RCx

High Efficiency Furnace Retrofits

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

*Projects that are applicable to multifamily buildings as well as other commercial buildings types.

CARD Project Timeline A snapshop of CEE’s contribution to Conservation Applied Research & Developmen (CARD):

Supported in part by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy

Resources, these projects aim to improve utility conservation programs, identify new energy savings

technologies, and document impacts from energy saving measures.

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment 16% Building Envelope

68%

5%11%

16%

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment

Building Envelope

Plug-Loads & Behavior

Program Piloting

68% 11%

Completed projectsFinal reports available online

Plug-Loads & Behavior 5% Program Piloting

Commercial

Envelope Air Leakage

RTU Cold Climate Optimization

Duct Leakage

Window Retrofits

Condensing Boiler Optimization*

ERV Performance*

Indoor Pool Equip. Efficiency*

Small Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

RTU Baseline Performance

Hot Water Recirculation

Energy Code Compliance*

Multifamily

Multifamily Ventilation

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Single-Family

Tankless Water Heaters

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Air Source Heat Pumps

Condensing Boiler RCx

High Efficiency Furnace Retrofits

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

*Projects that are applicable to multifamily buildings as well as other commercial buildings types.

CARD Project Timeline A snapshop of CEE’s contribution to Conservation Applied Research & Developmen (CARD):

Supported in part by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy

Resources, these projects aim to improve utility conservation programs, identify new energy savings

technologies, and document impacts from energy saving measures.

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment 16% Building Envelope

68%

5%11%

16%

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment

Building Envelope

Plug-Loads & Behavior

Program Piloting

68% 11%

Completed projectsFinal reports available online

Plug-Loads & Behavior 5% Program Piloting

Commercial

Envelope Air Leakage

RTU Cold Climate Optimization

Duct Leakage

Window Retrofits

Condensing Boiler Optimization*

ERV Performance*

Indoor Pool Equip. Efficiency*

Small Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

RTU Baseline Performance

Hot Water Recirculation

Energy Code Compliance*

Multifamily

Multifamily Ventilation

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Single-Family

Tankless Water Heaters

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Air Source Heat Pumps

Condensing Boiler RCx

High Efficiency Furnace Retrofits

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

*Projects that are applicable to multifamily buildings as well as other commercial buildings types.

CARD Project Timeline A snapshop of CEE’s contribution to Conservation Applied Research & Developmen (CARD):

Supported in part by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy

Resources, these projects aim to improve utility conservation programs, identify new energy savings

technologies, and document impacts from energy saving measures.

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment 16% Building Envelope

68%

5%11%

16%

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment

Building Envelope

Plug-Loads & Behavior

Program Piloting

68% 11%

Completed projectsFinal reports available online

Plug-Loads & Behavior 5% Program Piloting

Commercial

Envelope Air Leakage

RTU Cold Climate Optimization

Duct Leakage

Window Retrofits

Condensing Boiler Optimization*

ERV Performance*

Indoor Pool Equip. Efficiency*

Small Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

RTU Baseline Performance

Hot Water Recirculation

Energy Code Compliance*

Multifamily

Multifamily Ventilation

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Single-Family

Tankless Water Heaters

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Air Source Heat Pumps

Condensing Boiler RCx

High Efficiency Furnace Retrofits

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

*Projects that are applicable to multifamily buildings as well as other commercial buildings types.

CARD Project Timeline A snapshop of CEE’s contribution to Conservation Applied Research & Developmen (CARD):

Supported in part by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy

Resources, these projects aim to improve utility conservation programs, identify new energy savings

technologies, and document impacts from energy saving measures.

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment 16% Building Envelope

68%

5%11%

16%

Projects By Expertise Area

Mechanical Systems & Special Equipment

Building Envelope

Plug-Loads & Behavior

Program Piloting

68% 11%

Completed projectsFinal reports available online

Plug-Loads & Behavior 5% Program Piloting

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Recent Commercial Building Research

Building Envelope

Space Conditioning Equipment

Plug-Loads

Window Retrofits

Envelope Air Leakage

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Energy Code Support

Duct Leakage

ERVs

Indoor Pool Equipment

Hot Water Recirculation

Condensing Boilers

Roof-Top Units

Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

2015 20162014 2017

*Anticipated research end dates

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Recent Commercial Building Research

Building Envelope

Space Conditioning Equipment

Plug-Loads

Window Retrofits

Envelope Air Leakage

Multifamily Aerosol Sealing

Energy Code Support

Duct Leakage

ERVs

Indoor Pool Equipment

Hot Water Recirculation

Condensing Boilers

Roof-Top Units

Data Center Loads

Plug-Load Controls

2015 20162014 2017

*Anticipated research end dates

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Duct Sealing• Develop building characterizations

to ID affordable opportunities

Energy Code Support• Affordability of supporting

high-impact energy measures

• pilot technical tools to enhance

compliance

Window Retrofits• Test viability of window films

& panels as low-cost alternative

1

2

3

Building Focused 1 2

3

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Optimized Pool Operation• Improve recommissioning (RCx)

• Operator training opportunities

Hot Water Recirculation• Test demand controllers in hotels

• Occupant comfort & achievable energy

savings

21

Equipment Focused

1

2

3 Duct Leakage• Quantify potential energy savings

• Cost-effective techniques for sealing

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Small Data Center Efficiency (SDCEs)

• Characterize server rooms in Minnesota

• Test outreach, training, & incentives

1

Plug-Load Focused

1

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How to think about our research…

1. Feedback From The Field

better building & design team knowledge

2. Design Implications & Best Practices

for integrating into your design process & specifications

3. Potential Utility Resources

direct tools, technical support, or incentive opportunities

IMPROVING ENERGY RECOVERY

VENTILATION PERFORMANCE

Feedback From the Field

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Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

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Project Objectives

• Identify common problems that diminish ERV

performance in Minnesota buildings

• Develop protocols and tools to optimize ERV

performance

• Commissioning & recommissioning guides

• Maintenance & facility operator guides

• Savings & retrofit cost calculators

• Disseminate results

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Operational Issues Encountered

• 4 of 5 sites experiencing control issues

• 2 sites – controls prevent any energy recovery

• 1 site – absent economizing mode

• 1 site with part failure diminishing energy recovery

• Majority of sites have fouling filters

• 1 site with several design & building integration issues

that reduce energy recovery

• 4 of 5 sites recovering less than 75% of expectations,

3 sites less than 50% & 2 sites less than 10%!

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Implementation (In Progress)

• Updated control sequences, maintenance routines,

and part replacements are underway

• Additional recommendations are expected for sites

with major issues preventing energy recovery

• Post-monitoring to calculate improvements to

performance and recovered energy

• Commissioning, recommissioning, maintenance &

facility best practices and operating guides

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How to use this feedback:

• NOTE: ERVs more commonly underperform than

perform as intended

• CONSIDER & APPLY: Weigh the value with your client

& design team

• Could project budget be better allocated towards other energy

saving opportunities?

• TOOLS: Convey to building owner the value of

operation according to a manual

• Helps build trust and additional services with client

PLUG-LOAD CONTROLS

Design Implications & Best Practices

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Plug-Load Controls

Test a variety of plug-load

reduction strategies:

• Energy savings

• User satisfaction

• Characterization survey of 30-50

office buildings for plug-load details

• Pilot plug-load reduction strategies in

8-12 offices against baseline

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How to use this feedback: *Study just started

• NOTE: TBD

• CONSIDER & APPLY: Specify new & most effective

plug-load reduction devices

• Implications for room adjacencies?

• TOOLS: List of most cost-effective products & product

characteristics

• Potential for future rebates?

ENVELOPE AEROSOL SEALING FOR

MULTIFAMILY UNITS

Research Collaboration Opportunities

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Envelope Aerosol Sealing

• Pressurize apartment unit

• Spray air sealing fog

• Sealant particles build up on gap edges

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Preliminary Results

• Air tightness result: 114 to 25

CFM50 total unit leakage

(8 units sealed)

• Averaged 0.45 ACH50

• 78% to 95% tighter than the

new code requirement of 3.0

ACH50

• 12-13 times tighter than Energy

Star requirement for multifamily

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Sealed Penetrations

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Big Impact Technology!

Proven Benefits

• Reduced mid and high range noise transfer

• Reduced odor transfer

• Improved comfort

• Simultaneous air leakage testing ensures results

• Expedited process, labor savings potential

Additional Concerns Being Tested

• Cost

• Not for large air leak gaps

• New construction or rehab only?

• Balanced ventilation is crucial

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How to use this feedback: *Research in progress

• NOTE: A potentially game changing technology for

multifamily and hotel buildings

• CONSIDER & APPLY: Specify aerosol sealing for

energy, sound, & odor benefits

• Project types most ripe for application (e.g. luxury condos)

• Implications for holistic design

• TOOLS: Specification language & training for

contractors in the field?

• Rebates?

ROOF TOP UNIT OPTIMIZATION

Future Utility Resources

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RTU Market

• 46% of all commercial space conditioned by RTU’s

• 2.7 billion ft2 of commercial retail floor space (CBECS 2003)

• Wide variety of applications

• Office

• Commercial

• Manufacturing

• Industrial

• Warehouse

• Retail

• Medical

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RTU’s are widely used

Source: Google maps

2050

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Goals of our study

• Evaluate available advanced RTU controls

• For efficiency

• For cost-effectiveness

• For large scale delivery for CIP offering

• Focus on issues & opportunities specifically for a

cold climate

• Collect & evaluate performance data

• Energy savings potential

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Findings: Electric Savings

OPPORTUNITY

FOR SAVINGS

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Findings: Natural Gas Savings

INCONCLUSIVE

Finding

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Optimizer Economics

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Key Findings

• All technologies achieved significant

electric savings

• Gas savings were negative or statistically insignificant

• Advanced controls did not achieve cost-effective

energy savings

• Larger units with more operation would improve cost

effectiveness

• Optimization packages are not “one size fits all”

• Market is rapidly expanding

• New innovation

• Product maturity

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How to use this feedback:

• NOTE: Rooftop units now have real optimization

opportunities in cold climates

• CONSIDER & APPLY: Consider building type &

recommend cost effective new or retrofit RTU controls

• TOOLS: There may be utility rebate opportunities in

the future

• Bring these financial resources to client’s attention

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Questions, Feedback &

Discussion

Megan Hoye | mhoye@mncee.org