Building Energy Efficiency
By
Doug Horn
Agenda
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Introduction
Why Focus on Buildings?
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
Energy Efficiency Measures
Renewable Solar Energy
Summary
Q&A
Introduction
• Greening for 25 years and try to incorporate
sustainability & environmentally friendly
practices into all aspects of life
• Reduction is always first action on my list
• Generate 100% of Home Electricity with PV
• BCIT Building Technology Graduate 2008
• LEED Consultant – Light House Sustainable
Building Centre
• President/Owner of Efficient Resource Solutions
• Home Energy Advisor – City Green Solutions
• Attending BCIT Sustainable Energy Manager
program
Why Focus on Buildings?
• 54% of all energy consumption is related
to building construction and operation
• 35% of greenhouse gas emissions
• 40% of global consumption of raw
materials
• 17% of the world's freshwater withdrawals
• 25% of all the world's wood harvest
Source: Canada Green Building Council
Are Greener Buildings the
Solution?
‘Promoting the green design, construction,
renovation and operation of buildings
could cut North American greenhouse gas
emissions that are fuelling climate change
more deeply, quickly and cheaply than any
other available measure’.
Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 2008
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
• Federal Incentive Program
• Up To $5000 Worth of Incentives
• Start - Initial Home Energy ‘D’ Assessment
– Book with City Green Solutions
– Initial Assessment Cost = $150
– Home Energy Advisor Site Visit Determines:
• Building Geometry
• Wall and Ceiling Insulation Levels
• Window Assembly Characteristics
• Heating System Type and Efficiency
• Hot Water System Type and Efficiency
• Air Leakage Rate – Blower Door Test
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
• Initial Home Energy ‘D’ Assessment
– Energy Advisor Performs Energy Model on
Collected Data
– Provides Home Owner Home Energy
Assessment Report
• Energy Efficiency Recommendations
• Incentives and Approximate Energy Cost
Savings for each Recommendation
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
• Home Owner Determines Upgrade Costs
– Material Costs if DIY
– Contractor Quotes
• Home Owner Determines Upgrades To Do
– Simple Payback
– Aesthetics
– Budget
• Home Owner Gets Upgrades Done
– ecoEnergy Ends March 31, 2011
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
• Finish - Home Energy ‘E’ Assessment
– Book with City Green Solutions
– Follow Up Assessment Cost = $150
• Reimbursed through province/utilties
– Home Energy Advisor Site Visit:
• Verification of Upgrades
• Air Leakage Rate – Blower Door Test
• Complete Grant Application Paperwork
– Home Owner Waits for Incentive Cheque &
Final Home Energuide Rating
ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program
• BC 2010 Budget - $35 million in new
funding over three years for the LiveSmart
BC: Efficiency Incentive Program.
• Federal Government is allocating a further
$80 million for the ecoENERGY Retrofit –
Homes program
• No details yet on either program
Energy Efficient Measures
• #1 - Reduce Consumption
– Low flow shower heads, faucets and toilets
– Programmable Thermostats
– Lower Heating/Cooling Set Points
– CFLs, LEDs, Power bars, Light switches
– Unplug Extra Refrigerator or Unused Freezer
– Solar Clothes Dryer
– Appliance Upgrades
Energy Efficient Measures
• #2 Decrease Heat Loss/Gain
– Add Insulation Where Possible
– Upgrade Windows
• Replace, add storm windows, insulated curtains or
blinds
– Seal Air Leakage
– Think of House as a System
• #3 Increase Heating Efficiency
– High Efficiency Condensing Furnace/Boiler
– Air Source Heat Pump
– Ground Source Heat Pump
Energy Efficient Measures
• #4 - Increase Hot Water Efficiency
– Instantaneous Hot Water Systems
– Electric Hot Water Tank
• Allow for future considerations
– Solar Hot Water
– Solar PV
– Plug In Electric Car
– Rainwater Collection or Grey Water Harvest
Energy Efficient Measures
• Incorporate passive design strategies
– South facing windows for passive solar gain
– Thermal massing for excess heat storage
– Minimize west facing windows and/or have
solar gain reduction strategy
– Solar tubes and fenestration to bring in
natural day light
– Natural ventilation and cooling
Energy Efficient Measures
• Work with people who understand energy
efficiency and building science
• Select a building rating system to use or
as a guideline
– LEED, Built Green, etc.
• Determine what incentives are available
– ecoEnergy, SolarBC, Utilities
• Determine criteria before any work is done
Renewable Solar Energy
• Photovoltaic (PV)
– Turn Sunlight into Electricity
– 200+ Year Payback
– Net Metering
• Solar Hot Water
– Capture and Store Suns Radiant Energy
– 6+ Year Payback (Usage Dependent)
– Feed into Efficient System
• Solar Heating
– Capture Suns Radiant Energy
– Distribute into House
Renewable Solar Energy
• Requires Clear South Facing Access
• Every dollar invested in efficiency equals
three to ten dollars in system cost
reduction
• Analyze building location and structure,
bylaws, shading, neighbours?
• Analyze Consumption and Size
Appropriately
Summary
• Get Energy Assessment on House
• Determine Energy Efficiency Measures
• Analyze Efficiency Costs, Incentives &
Payback
• Select Like Minded
Contractors/Consultants
• Think of House as a System
• Reduction Before Renewables
Questions
&
Answers