2016-05-04

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Net Zero Homes UpdateSpring Camp 2016

Andrew Oding Senior Building Science Associate

Chair , CHBA Net Zero Council

Sponsored by:

Net Zero looks similar across Zone 4-6

Enclosure design

• Robust Air Barrier: 1.0ACH

• Attic: R60+

• Walls: R30+

• Below Grade Walls: R24+

• Below Grade Slab: R10+

• Windows R5+

(NOTE: R values are EFFECTIVE)

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedNet Zero Construction for those who suffer from ADHD

2016-05-04

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Net Zero Homes: An Update

1. The Canadian Net Zero Home Certification: Sonja Winkelman

2. Cool stuff real builders are proving in the field

3. Next opportunities for Net Zero Homes

4. The Ugly Truth…

Let’s get this out of the way first.

The Cost:

• 10 years ago : $110k to 170k+

• 5 years ago: $75k to $80k

• 2 years ago: $60k to $70k (House 50% / Renewables(PV) 50%)

• 2016-2017?

Net Zero Ready: $15k to $25k ( No Renewables /PV)

Net Zero: $45k to $55k (Includes Renewables / PV)

What are the costs?

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EQuilibrium Program~ $120,000

Now – NRCan initiatives~ $65-80,000

Targeting$40,000 for NZE$15,000 for NZEr

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30 years ago….

Hot water

15%

Heating 75%

Occupant Loads 10%

Perspective is important

• NBC 9.36 compliant

• OBC Pkg J

Heating 50%

Standard NEW Canadian Home

Hot Water

A NET ZERO HOUSEHOLD…

Heating 13%

Hot Water 12.5%

Occupant /Baseload 67.5%

Air Conditioning 3%

HRV /Fans 4%

Occupants Loads 67.5%

Electrical Baseloads: Lights and Appliances

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Domestic Hot Water• In Net Zero homes DHW is tied with Space

heating as the 2nd largest load • Water / Energy Nexus needs to be recognized

by modeling tools and energy profiles

Occupant Loads!

What we need….Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

1. Dashboard for homes2. Simple interface:

1. What home is consuming in GJ’s

2. What Occupant is WASTING in $’s

3. Courtesy of Utilities and Municipalities?

4. Need Gas load accessible on Dashboard

Domestic Hot Water

A Net Zero Conundrum…

Air Source Hot Water vs Condensing Gas Hot WaterNet Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

1. Energy Access- Gas, Electrical, etc

2. Occupant expectations:3. Drain Water Heat

Recovery in both options?

4. Cost of appliance: Rental vs Purchase

5. Gas cost vs electrical?

Domestic Hot Water

VS

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Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

Time to tap!

Good Design = Energy Savings = Occupant Satisfaction

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

Domestic Hot Water

Courtesy Oakridge National Laboratories: Gary Klein

Low Flow Fixtures vs Big, Stinking Pipe!!!

Large Volume of standing water in pipe(low Flow Rates) = Increased energy

waste /consumption

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

Domestic Hot Water

Courtesy Oakridge National Laboratories: Gary Klein

Domestic Hot Water Re-circulation Pump

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Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

Domestic Hot Water

What we need:1. Alignment of aspirational goals: Part 7(Plumbing) code folks must

be introduced to the energy code folks(NBC 9.36, OBC SB 12 and 10)

2. Simple tools to acknowledge water efficiency efforts within Canadian Homes

3. Broaden our lense: Potable water infrastructure and energy loads.

4. Industry Training: Give the Plumbers CONTEXT!

Know Your Climate Zone!Windows

Key Research Finding:Your building products don’t know where you live.

• Glazing Options: Condensation resistance• Polyiso rigid insulation• Air Source Heat Pumps and HSPF (Zone 4

Default)• And so on….

• Net Zero homes are for normal people too. Be cautious of MASS& GLASS solutions.

• Know your WWR Window-To-Wall Ratio.

• Caution: Read the NBC Appendix!....Use of ER for code compliance in homes with 15-16% WWR or in Multifamily units may lead to occupant comfort issues

• Get the REAL numbers to the RIGHT people: Energy Modeling, “Comfort Expert”, Mechanical designer.

Net Zero and Windows: No longer the biggest hole in the wall!

Windows

2016-05-04

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More to Triple Pane Windows than just energy conservation-

ASHRAE 55 and Windows: Zone 5-6:• 1m from glass, patio door• Winter: Acceptable room side glass threshold temp= 57F or 14C• Summer: Discomfort comes from any hour/elevation with solar gain greater than 70 btu/hr·ft²·°F

• Single, metal frame: • Winter: 3000+ hrs of discomfort • Summer: 300+ hrs of discomfort

• Double , insulated, SHGC 0.55 • Winter: 500+ hrs of discomfort • Summer: 75+ hrs of discomfort

• Triple: insulated, SHGC 0.22• Winter: negligible• Summer: negligible

Information courtesy of Jim Larsen: Cardinal Glass

Amount of Glass in New Homes : More or Less?

2000 or before: 8 to 10%...

2010 to 2016: 12% to 17%....

2016 New product showing: 17% to 25%+

The greater the WWR, the more important choosing the right window becomes for a builder.

Example: Zone 6, 2 Story Single Detached• Base- 2x6 w/ R22- Dual Glazed Low-e

Tripanes (U 1.2>) with Low SHGC (.22 >) At 15% WWR

Improve the total EFFECTIVE R Value of the envelope more than adding R5 ci to 2x6 wall0 wall Decrease AC tonnage by ½ Ton Decrease Cooling costs by $200 per year

At 20% WWR Improve the effective R Value of the envelope more than adding R10 ci to 2x6 wall Decrease AC tonnage by 1 Ton Decrease Cooling costs by $300+ per year

Net Zero Lessons Learned: WWR and Triple Pane

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2016-05-04

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Condensation Resistance

Air Conditioning• Fastest growing peak load• Most costly electrical use in nearly all homes• Heat Gain Load determined primarily by windows(40

to 50% of cooling load in glass!)• Duct sizing is now primarily determined by cooling

loads (not heating) in most new NZ homes in Zone 4, 5 and 6.

24NEW CSA F280-2012SHGC NUMBERS MATTER!

•New THGM (Transparent Assembly Heat Gain Multiplier)incudes solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), solar radiation, internal shading

• Get the right numbers(SHGC) to the Mechanical designer.

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NEW CSA F280-2012SHGC NUMBERS MATTER!

6000btu = ½ Ton ACThe effect of SHGC…

200 sq ft Glass

Toronto

SHGC .60

N& Shaded: 4400 btu

S: 8800 btu

E/W: 11,600 btu

SE/SW: 12, 500 btu

SHGC .21

N& Shaded: 2000 btu

S: 3600 btu

E/W: 4600 btu

SE/SW: 4100 btu

SHGC .40

N& Shaded: 3200 btu

S: 6100 btu

E/W: 8000 btu

SE/SW: 8300 btu

Windows: One of the biggest opportunities for efficiency and comfort

Case Study: Zone 5 1800 sqft home ; WWR ratio 12.5%+

HVAC optimization through SHGC selection

Choice #1

Double Pane, LowE, High Solar Gain (Great ER!)• SHGC = .65+• 4.0 Ton AC Unit• 1200+ CFM• Large Trunks, Big Bulkheads,+Cost

Choice #2

Double Pane, LowE, Low Solar Gain SHGC = .23+• 2.5 Ton AC Unit• 800+ CFM• Optimized Duct Design• Upgrade to Triple Pane at NC!

Case Study: Zone 5 and 6 1800 sqft home ; WWR ratio 12.5%+

A Deeper Look:Why Triple Pane windows are a no brainer

• Overall effective R value at 12.5% WWR : Triple Pane (U 1.1>) is equivalent to adding more continuous insulation (R5) to a 2x6 wall.

• No learning curve for framer and trades• Increased condensation resistance for owner(higher interior RH)• Potential decrease in ASHP and AC tonnage cost• Annual operating expense decreased by approx. $200 annually(with both

heating and cooling combined) • Occupant more comfortable in the living room easy chair….

?or

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“Building Science Tipping Point”ADVANCED ENCLOSURES

• More air tight• Higher insulation levels• Complete insulation systems• Adv. Windows

COMFORT RISKS

WETTING RISKS

INDOOR AIR QUALITY RISKS

“Building Science Tipping Point Analogy”

Courtesy of Sam Rashkin U.S DOE

DO WE DARE GO FURTHER ?

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedWindows

The Ugly Truth

2016-05-04

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Building CodesReference CSA A440

10.21 SUBSILL DRAINAGE• UNDER ALL DOORS• DEGREE DAYS OF 3400> WITH MOISTURE INDEX OF .90• DEGREE DAYS OF 3400< WITH MOISTURE INDEX OF 1.0• UNDER ALL MULLED /COMBINATION UNITS

10.23 HEAD FLASHING• ANY CONCEALED BARRIER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS• ANY RAINSCREEN SYSTEMS• ALL CASES IF DISTANCE BETWEEN TOP OF WINDOW AND

OVERHANG(SOFFITT) EXCEEDS ¼ THE DEPTH OF THE OVERHANG(SOFFITT)

Durability Detailing:A fundamental for Net Zero Homes

Net Zero and Windows

What We Need:

• Simple Clear Installation standard

• An industry roundtable discussion on the future use of ER in Programs like Energy Star (and in Building Codes). Occupant COMFORT being = to aspirational energy targets

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2016-05-04

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Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedWindows

Net Zero and Land Development : The Next Frontier…in 2016.

• A return to first principles of land planning and community design: e.g. Solar access.

• Shrinking loads present opportunity for Micro-grid, Combined Heat & Power with enhanced UTILITY PARTNERSHIPS( Gas, Electric or Renewables)

• Optimizing and reducing loads on existing infrastructure

Irrational Enclosure Design = Irrational Mechanical

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and Shared

Mechanicals: Heating (and Cooling)Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Net Zero Homes are fuel agnostic

Mechanical Systems

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Hot Water Space Conditioning

2016-05-04

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Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedMechanicals: Heating (and Cooling)

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedMechanicals: Heating (and Cooling)

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Properly Sized Distribution Systems Maintain Comfort and Efficiency

Displacement VS Dilution

• Small loads = Small Air volume

• Displacement air management can be tricky

• Dilution /mixing air management may be key e.g. Proper tempering and mixing of air

• Move to continuous low to mid volume CFM to maintain even temperatures AND increase ventilation effectiveness

• Low Temp air supply and Higher R exterior surfaces require/allow new diffuser placement (high interior wall)

Net Zero: Lessons Learned and SharedMechanicals: Heating (and Cooling)

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

2016-05-04

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Dilution /Mixing Air Management: THROW is equally as important as Return Air in Low Load Homes

• Pushing /Throwing air conditions rooms better than “pulling” air

• Diffuser selection matters• Diffuser placement matters

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Managing air by Diffusion: THROW is equally as important as Return Air in low load homes

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

Net Zero Lessons Learned: HVAC

What we need:1. More RIGHT SIZED, mechanical solutions.2. SMART controls –Not set back thermostats. 3. A singular Canadian standard for Air system design. 4. Development and recognition of a simple, effective

residential “commissioning” protocol . Focus first on Comfort, second on efficiency.

5. Updated Canadian ventilation standard: F326.

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• Be Rational : Keep Things Simple e.g. envelope, mechanicals;

• DO FIRST THINGS FIRST. Envelope Optimization before renewable design

• Pay attention to your CHBA members projects

• Run your own numbers:

• Involve ALL your team-Including trades and designers.

• Become a LEARNING corporation !

Summary-Next Steps Until 2017….

Summary-Next Steps

Endeavour Centre: Peterborough

June 18-19 Sat/Sun

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