Meet & Beat the NH Commercial Energy Code

Meet & Beat the NH Commercial Energy Code

Introduction This is me… Alan R. Mulak, PE Energy Engineer and Consultant (978) 486-4484 amulak@comcast.net And who are you? Engineers? Architects? Code Officials? Building Operators? Builders? Other?

Introduction • Thank you • Credits! • My Opinion • Breaks • Q&A

Why do we need Energy Codes?

Why do we need Energy Codes? Colored lines are local utility rates.

Why do we need Energy Codes?

Why do we need Energy Codes? 1995 LBL New Buildings Study: • 50% controls problems • 50% unplanned air flows • 40% HVAC equipment problems • 25% malfunctioning: • EMS • Economizers • VSDs • 15% missing equipment

Why do we need Energy Codes? • New technology • Environmentally correct • Motivates superior construction practices • Economic Stimulus Bill – wow! • Increased energy efficiency results: • Easier operation and maintenance • Less costly • Healthier and Safer! • Least cost alternative (for life cycle costing)

Some thoughts about codes… • They are getting stronger! The IECC 2012 is looming on the horizon. Is net-zero energy attainable? • Pay me now or pay me later. 2X • More expensive? Maybe not. • Getting greener. Lewis Center at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Code Overview • The IECC 2009 is… • More flexible, encourages innovative approaches • Applies to new construction but not to existing buildings, historic structures, or unaltered portion of renovation up to 50%. • Occupancy change with increase in energy use applies • Non-conditioned space that becomes conditioned applies • And of course, exceptions found in Chapter 1, section 101.4.3, 4, 5, and 6

Code Overview A word about the expression “Conditioned space:” “a cooled space, heated space, or indirectly conditioned space defined as follows: • cooled space: an enclosed space within a building that is cooled by a cooling system • heated space: an enclosed space within a building that is heated by a heating system • Also, “conditioned” does not mean air-conditioned, it includes heated-only spaces No Yes

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 501 General • 502 Building Envelope • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • 504 Hot Water • 505 Power and Lighting • 506 Total Building Performance

Code Overview • Code Compliance Documentation Methods: • COMcheck – stay tuned • Code Book – written documentation required • LEED • Advanced Building by NBI

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 501 General • “…Commercial buildings shall meet either requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 or this chapter.”

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope • The envelope requirements focus on four major components: • Insulation • Glazing • Air Leakage • Moisture Control

Code Overview

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope • Insulation values have increased • Charts simplified • Recessed lighting – WOW!

Code Overview 502.4.8

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code • On the plus side: • Very little heat • Dimmable • High CRI • Roughly 75% energy savings • Some Utility incentives • Long life • On the Minus Side: • Cost! • Some “snake oil” 502.4.8

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code Incandescent 65W BR30 - Total Power =5,135W LR6 - Total Power =948W 502.4.8

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope • Insulation below grade walls 502.2.4 • 1.10 feet below finished grade • 2. Insulation R - 7.5 required

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope • Insulation below grade walls 502.2.4

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code 502.2.4

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope • Thermal Bridging 502.2.3 Continuous insulation over framing reduces thermal bridge

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope: “U” Factors and SHGC 502.2.3 The U-value (or U-factor), more correctly called the overall heat transfer coefficient, describes how well a building element conducts heat. It measures the rate of heat transfer through a building element over a given area, under standardized conditions The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how well a window blocks heat from sunlight. The SHGC is the fraction of the heat from the sun that enters through a window. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits.

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope:“U” Factors and SHGC 502.2.3

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 502 Building Envelope:“U” Factors and SHGC 502.2.3 Unintended consequences

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems: • Major components: • Equipment Performance • Controls • Ventilation • Duct and pipe sealing / insulation • Unitary or Packaged Equipment

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio (Full Load Performance) AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (Part Load Performance) HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (Part Load Performance) SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (Part Load Performance)IPLV - Integrated Part-Load Value (Part Load Performance)

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Equipment Performance has increased significantly over previous codes.

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code • On the plus side: • About 40% more efficient • Individual control • Nearly silent • No ductwork! • AC and heat • Utility incentive • On the Minus Side: • Cost! • Backup for zero or below 503.2.3

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code 503.2.3

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code • On the plus side: • Saves 740 therms per 100,000 BTUs • Individual control • Silent • Gas Utility rebate • It really works!!! • On the Minus Side: • Cost! • Must be able to see you • Must have gas or propane 503.2.3

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Controls: • 1. Snow melt • 2. Demand Control Ventilation • 3. Energy Recovery Ventilation

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Controls: • Snow melt

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems - Controls: Demand Control Ventilation

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Controls: • Energy Recovery Ventilation

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Major components: • Duct and pipe sealing / insulation

Code Overview • 503.2.7 Duct and pipe sealing / insulation • All joints, longitudinal and transverse seams, and connections must be securely fastened and sealed with: • welds • gaskets • mastics (adhesives) • mastics plus fabric tapes • Additional requirements for medium and high pressure ducts No

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503.2.9.3 Manuals • Operations and Maintenance • Commissioning

Code Overview…O&M • …estimated to save 5% to 20% on energy bills without a significant capital investment. • In addition to energy/resource savings, a well-run O&M program will: • • Increase the safety of all staff, as properly maintained equipment is safer equipment. • • Ensure the comfort, health and safety of building occupants through properly functioning equipment providing a healthy indoor environment. • • Confirm the design life expectancy of equipment is achieved. • • Facilitate the compliance with federal legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. 503.2.9

Code Overview…Commissioning Commissioning of existing buildings is critical to ensure energy efficient operation. Additional benefits include extended equipment life, increased tenant satisfaction through improved space comfort, improved indoor air quality, and fewer O&M emergency calls. The reported average cost to recommission is usually in the range of $0.05/SF to $0.40/SF. The simple payback period on these efforts is usually less than 2 years and quite frequently less than 0.5 year. 503.2.9

Commissioning Quick Case Study: down 27%

Commissioning Quick Case Study: down 30%

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • 503.2.10.1 No more over sizing of motors! • 503.2.10.2 Heating outside the shell must be controlled by sensor • Motor Master software demo

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems • Major components - Compliance Approach: • Simple (single systems) • or • Complex (not simple)?

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems - Simple Minimal effort but equally stringent requirements Limited to … • Buildings with 1 or 2 stories • Buildings less than 25,000 sf • Single-zone systems (unitary or split) • Etc.

Code Overview • Commercial Energy Efficiency - Chapter 5 • 503 Building Mechanical Systems - Complex 503.4.5: “…designed and capable of being controlled to reduce primary air supply to each zone…” Match HVAC input with Occupancy!

Code Overview – meet or Beat Code • On the plus side: • Use the free software to calculate savings • About 33% more efficient than without • Great results! • Utility incentive • On the Minus Side: • Cost! • Installation can be tricky Complex HVAC systems require varying controls, typically a VFD. Variable Speed Drive software demo 503.4.5

Meet & Beat the NH Commercial Energy Code