Active House - Buildings that gives more than they take

Active House - Buildings that gives more than they take

Active House Specification

Presented by:

Amdi Worm

Arkitema Architects

Contacts:

Lone Feifer,

General Secretary

Active House Alliance,

Active House Specification - buildings that gives more than they take

Quantitative Criteria Ratings: 1 (best) – 4 (acceptable) Comfort • Daylight • Thermal environment • Indoor air quality Energy • Energy demand • Energy supply • Energy performance Environment • Environmental loads • Freshwater consumption • Sustainable construction

Qualitative Criteria; checklist

Active House Specification - Comfort criteria

We spend 90% of our time indoors; therefore the quality of the indoor climate has a considerable impact on our health and comfort. A good indoor climate is a key quality of an Active House. It must be an integrated part of the house design to ensure good daylight conditions, thermal environment and indoor air quality. To support this process, the parameters in the specifications must be considered.

Daylight Thermal comfort Indoor air quality

Active House Specification - Comfort criteria

Daylight

Evaluation method The amount of daylight in a room is evaluated using average daylight factor levels on a horizontal work plane (table height approx. 0.8 m). Daylight factors are calculated with a validated daylight simulation program. The daylight factor is assessed room by room. Each factor is weighted to give an average daylight factor for each room. The calculation should also take neighbouring buildings into account. The evaluation includes the living and activity zones (such as living room, work space, dining room, kitchen, bedroom or children’s room). The score of the house is based on an area-weigted average score of the daylight daylight-factors for each room.

Methodology Based on EN 15251 Evaluation method To objectify the risk of overheating, a dynamic thermal simulation tool is used to determine hourly values of indoor operative temperature at room level (e.g. in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms). In dwellings without mechanical cooling systems (like central air conditioning), adaptive temperature limits are used in the summer months. This means that the maximum allowable temperature inside is linked to the weather outside: limits go up during warmer periods. Requirements should be met for a minimum of 95% of occupied time. The score for the building is an occupancy rated average of the thermal-environment score of the whole room.

Thermal Comfort

Thermal Environment

Methodology Based on EN 15251 Evaluation method To objectify the risk of overheating, a dynamic thermal simulation tool is used to determine hourly values of indoor operative temperature at room level (e.g. in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms). In dwellings without mechanical cooling systems (like central air conditioning), adaptive temperature limits are used in the summer months. This means that the maximum allowable temperature inside is linked to the weather outside: limits go up during warmer periods. Requirements should be met for a minimum of 95% of occupied time. The score for the building is an occupancy rated average of the thermal-environment score of the whole room.

Thermal Comfort

Thermal Environment

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality Methodology Based on EN 15251 Evaluation method Fresh air supply can be evaluated by examining indoor CO2 concentrations at room level during occupancy. CO2 is a good indicator of the amount of bio-effluents, pollutants from humans, in the air. Hourly values of CO2 concentrations should be determined with a dynamic simulation tool, using standard occupancy rates (e.g. two persons in a master bedroom) and standard CO2 production per person. The requirements should be met for a minimum of 95% of occupied time. The classification of the air quality is determined as the occupancy-weighted hourly average of all room scores. The minimum requirements as specified in national codes should always be followed.

Qualitative Criteria

Indoor Air Quality Daylight Thermal comfort Indoor air quality Acoustics

Calculations can be divided in to three different categories:

• 1.1 Daylight

• 1.2 Thermal comfort

• 1.3 Indoor air quality

Comfort calculations - General

Calculation of the daylight factor must be done with a verified daylight calculation tool, eg:

• Dialux (free)

• Velux Daylight visualizer (free)

• Radiance or tools using Radiance engine (eg. through IES-VE, Ecotect etc.)

• Relux

Comfort calculations - 1.1 Daylight

Calculation in Dialux for a kitchen-dining area without skylights: Dfaverage = 3,57 %

Comfort calculations - 1.1 Daylight (examples)

Calculation in Dialux for a kitchen-dining area with two skylights: Dfaverage = 6,20 %


Calculation in Velux Daylight Visualizer for a room with three skylights: Dfaverage = 2,20 %


Classification of daylight

• Average daylight factor for the room (0.5 m from the wall)

• Value of DF and AH score with one decimal

• Score is based on the area weighted daylight factor for each room

• Normally is living room, kitchen-dining room and bedrooms included in the calculation

Comfort calculations - 1.1 Daylight (score)

Calculation of thermal comfort and indoor air quality must be done with an hourly-based simulation tool eg.:

• BSim

• VELUX Energy and Indoor Climate visualizer (EIC)

• IES-VE

• TRNSYS

• EnergyPlus

Comfort calculations - 1.2 and 1.3 Thermal environment and indoor air quality

Comfort calculations - EICviz example


1.

2.

3.


Results to AH radar Data from EIC

Comfort calculations - EIC example

Comfort calculations - EIC example

Active House Specification - Energy criteria


Energy Demand Renewable energy Primary Energy


Energy Demand

Evaluation method The annual energy demand includes energy demand for space heating, domestic hot water, ventilation, air conditioning including cooling, technical installations and electricity for lighting. Follow the national calculation methodology and national definitions for heated floor area


Energy Supply

30-04-2013

Towards Net ZEB Conference, Copenhagen

Renewables in the energy supply Part of the energy demand supplied from renewable sources. Renewable part of electricity and / or gas / district heating from the grid can be taken into account Specification have been changed so that a score of ”4” is reached of the renewable part is between 0 and 25%


Primary Energy Performance

30-04-2013


Evaluation method The annual primary energy performance shall be based on national figures on primary energy. The calculation shall include energy demand for the building as well as the energy supply from renewable energy.

Qualitative Criteria Energy Demand Energy supply Primary Energy Energy validation on site

• Energy demand (space heating)

• Energy demand (hot water)

• Energy demand (cooling)

• Electricity demand, ventilation

• Electricity demand, pumps

Most data are covered by energy calculation ( european projects)

Energy frame calculation - Data covered by the energy calculation

Examle of results from energy calculation (danish example)

Calculation of the electricity production from photovoltaic cells can be done in eg:

• Pvsyst

• Pvsol

• Pvydelse (simplified free tool)

http://www.teknologisk.dk/ydelser/solenergi/beregningsvaerktoejer/30336,5

The following data are not covered by the energy frame calculation:

• Electricity production from photovoltaic cells

• Renewable part from the local electricity grid

• Renewable part from the local heat supplier

• Energy for the control systems

Energy frame calculation - Data which are not covered by the energy calculation




The percentage of the renewable energy in the local electricity grid, can be calculated for the average value of the country.







The percentage of the renewable energy from the district heating can often be retrieved from the local heat supplier.

If not, the average value for the country can be used.







Control systems cover energy for:

• Motor for control of natural ventilation

• Mechanical ventilation, which is not included in the SEL-value

• Control of dynamic shading for internal and external use

• Information's boards in buildings

• Daylight sensor for control of room lighting







Active House Specification - Environment criteria

The challenges we face regarding the environment are a reality on a local, regional and global level. When developing an Active House, it is important to ensure that such challenges are considered. This is important in order to ensure a new generation of buildings and products that aim to have a positive impact on the environment. Consideration should be given in the design phase for how Active Houses use building materials and resources.


The environmental load from the whole life cycle from resource extraction to recycling / reuse of disposal is covered by the LCA


Environmental load Fresh water consumption Sustainable construction

Active House Specification - Environmental criteria

Environmental loads


Environmental loads


Fresh water consumption



The score is calculated as the expected water saving compared to the average water consumption for the building type and country or compared to a fixed value depending on the present taps

Environment - 3.2 Freshwater consumption


Environment - 3.2 Freshwater consumption


Sustainable construction



Procedure: 1. In the LCA tool for each building material, choose

“yes” of material is recyclabel

Environment - 3.3 Sustainable construction (recyclable content)



“yes” of material is recyclabel 2. Weight % automaticaly calculated (if LCA calc is

made on beforehand)




“yes” of material is recyclabel 2. Weight % automaticaly calculated (if LCA calc is

made on beforehand) 3. Result given by the LCA tool to be entered in the

radar tool



Environment - 3.3 Sustainable construction (FSC)

Same procedure for FSC as for recyclabel content

1

2

3


Environment - 3.3 Sustainable construction (EPD)

Evaluation of score for 3.3 sustainable construction 3 parts: • Recyclable content (no changes) • FSC / PEFC certified wood (own part of

the score) • EPDs (own part of the score)

Environment - 3.3 Sustainable construction (EPD) (Not approved by the AH alliance)



Parameter Value Criteria Score

3.3.3 Environmental product declarations

By weight the % of materials in the buildilng covered with an EPD

1. 80% of the materials used have an EPD



4. 0-25% of the materials used have an EPD


EPD also same procedure as recyclabel content




Calculating the score Score

3.3.1 Recyclabel content 1

3.3.2 Responsible sourcing 3

3.3.3 Environmental product declarations 3

Total score =7/3 = 2,3

Qualitative Criteria Environmental load Freshwater consumption Ecological impact External Context

Qualitative Criteria Building Management

Active House Specification - performance in the radar diagram

Documents

Active House - Buildings that gives more than they take