Practice Exercise: Building Envelope Systems

Final Recommended Settings

A 12/5 operating schedule, R-38 roof construction, R-38 wood wall construction, window-to-wall ratios (WWR) of 80% for both the north and south orientations, 50% for east, and 30% for west, thermal properties of glazing surfaces for each orientation with Dbl LoE for north and Trp LoE for south, east, and west, plug load efficiency of 0.6 W/SF, lighting efficiency of 0.3 W/SF, engagement of both daylighting and occupancy controls, PV surface coverage of 90%, panel efficiency of 20.4%, and a PV payback limit of 20 years are outlined in my final recommended settings.

With these parameters considered, had difficulty computing the expected mean EUI kBtu/SF/yr that was attained, to determine value of the energy performance. This indicates that the facility should produce more energy than it uses each year!

Design Goal/Tasks Recommendation Process

Scenario 0: Baseline

Settings: using the starting point file, I have changed the Operating Schedule to 12/5 and the Roof Construction to R38.

Results: 53.9 kBtu/SF/yr predicted mean EUI

Scenario 1: Use Insight to Explore the Impact of Building Envelope-Related Design Decisions

1. Use Insight to Explore the Impact of Building Envelope-Related Design Decisions

• Consider these Factors:

Arrangement: Using the baseline position as a starting point, I recommend the following:

1. Wall Construction: R-38 Wood
2. Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR) per orientation:

3. Thermal Properties of Glazing Surfaces for each orientation

4. Window Shading for South, North, East and West orientations stays on the original value of 2/3 window height (hence not displaying the graphs).

Achieved lowest with modifications and variation with reference to baseline was Results: 81.0 kBtu/SF/yr predicted mean EUI

Scenario 2: Use Insight to Explore the Potential Impact of Power and Lighting Measures (versus Building Envelope Measures)

Arrangement: Referencing scenario 1 above, I recommend the following whilst utilizing the insight factors to explore the impact of:

1. Plug Load Efficiency (the equipment and appliances that draw power) = 0.6 W/sf

2. Lighting Efficiency (based on the efficiency of the lighting fixtures) = 0.3W/sf

3. Daylighting & Occupancy Controls

How lower can you drive the Predicted Mean EUI by adding these power and lighting measures to your recommended building envelope choices?

Results: 21.8 kBtu/SF/yr predicted mean EUI

Scenario 3: Use Insight to Explore the Benefits of Adding Photovoltaic Panels to Your Design

Arrangement: Referencing scenario 2 above, I recommend the following whilst utilizing the insight factors tiles to explore the impact of PV Panels, varying the:

1. Surface Coverage

2. Panel Efficiency

3. Payback Limit (how many years you will allow for the panels to pay for themselves

How low can you drive the Predicted Mean EUI by adding these Photovoltaic panel measures to your overall design strategy?

Results: -8.6 kBtu/SF/yr predicted mean EUI