Building Energy Efficiency

1. Building Energy Efficiency By Doug Horn

2. Agenda • Introduction • Why Focus on Buildings? • ecoEnergy Retrofit Homes Program • Energy Efficiency Measures • Renewable Solar Energy • Summary • Q&A

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Questions&Answers