Energy Innovations in Residential Buildings

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Energy Innovations in Residential Buildings

• Doug Walter, President
• Kansas Building Science Institute
• Manhattan, Kan.

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Energy conservation vs. energy efficiency

• Energy conservation focuses on lifestyle changes
  that result in less energy use. While effective
  in the short-term, most people are unwilling to
  make dramatic or long-term lifestyle changes.
• Energy efficiency focuses on doing more with less
  energy through innovative design and technology.

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Potential for efficiency

• Typical residential buildings use 1.5 to 2 times
  as much energy as is necessary.
• Energy Star homes today use 30 to 50 percent less
  energy than homes built to the 1993 Model Energy
  Code.
• Zero Energy homes are being built as
  demonstrations in many parts of the country.

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Characteristics of todays energy-efficient homes

• Very tight construction
• High-performance insulation products
• Insulation of entire building envelope (including
  floors, foundations basements)
• High-performance windows
• Air-tight ducts
• High-efficiency HVAC equipment
• High-efficiency lights and appliances
• Mechanical ventilation
• Limited solar (passive, DHW, PV)

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The benefits

• High comfort level
• Healthy indoor air quality
• Comfortable, but not excessive, RH
• High durability and low maintenance
• Added initial cost easily offset by lower energy
  costs

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Tight construction

• All building connections sealed with appropriate
  materials during construction.
• Between window or door frames and wall assemblies
• Between wall assemblies and ceilings and floors
• Between sill plates and foundations
• All openings for utility and service penetrations
• All openings for electrical or plumbing
  connections

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Blower door testing
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Foundation insulation

• Foundation insulation is cost-effective and
  represents the largest untapped opportunity for
  energy savings for otherwise energy-efficient
  homes.
• Foundation insulation improves comfort.

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Wall insulation
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Attic insulation
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Windows
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Floor insulation
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Duct Tightness
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Duct sealing with mastic
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Duct sealing with mastic
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Duct sealing with mastic
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Heating/CoolingEquipment
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Equipment Performance Ratings
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Water Heaters
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Water Heaters
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Lights and Appliances
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Lighting
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Annual Refrigerator Energy Use (kwh)
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