Green HVAC
HVC 220Instructor
Cate O’dahl
Green HVAC
Session One –Green HVAC and Healthy Homes
This class consists of all online Lecture with 11 hours of Lab required
See the Course Syllabus for details If this is your first online course, use the tools on the home page to help you understand how to use Canvas Online Learning Management Tool
Class Orientation
Session Topic
Week 1 Green HVAC and Healthy BuildingsWeek 2 Codes, Regulations & Certifications
Week 3 Building Science
Week 4 House as a System
Week 5 Fact vs. Fiction
Week 6 Equipment & Product Selection
Week 7 Testing & Code Compliance
Week 8 Customer Service
Week9 Business Development - Building Science & Business Science
Week10 Green VHAC
Class Schedule
The Syllabus will be reviewed Week 1 during the first lab meeting.
If you miss this first lab meeting, YOU are required to familiarize yourself with course assignments and assessment OR contact the instructor.
The syllabus is linked in Canvas and will be emailed to you prior to the Week 1 lab meeting.
Syllabus
Course Information◦ Includes contact info for instructor
Course Objectives◦ Introduce students to online learning◦ Teach students to understand how green building
strategies affect quality HVAC installation, service, and repair
◦ Inform students of new code, regulations, and building certifications that affect current HVAC industry standards
◦ Provide latest equipment and product information for changing industry
◦ Begin to learn how to look at HVAC as one component in the house as a system
◦ Prepare students for the changes in HVAC industry to better equip them for a changing workforce.
Syllabus, con’t
What you will learn in this course – see syllabus
Textbook
Residential Energy, Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings, John Krigger/Chris Dorsi - 2009 Sixth Edition ISBN - 13: 978-1-880120-23-1
Syllabus, con’t
Syllabus, con’t Additional Required Reading Materials
Click the links to connect to reading materials assigned for this class. Washington State Energy Code Builder’s Field Guid
e, 2009, 8th Edition, available on line, click link from your computer to access pdf document. Full document: www.energy.wsu.edu/Documents/entire_guide.pdf
Residential Pressure & Air Leakage Testing Manual, Retrotec Inc., revised 2011-08-05, available on line, click link from your computer to access pdf document.
Read this: The Building Connection, available on-line, click link from your computer to access pdf document.
Student Network Account Readings, Assignments Homework
Syllabus, con’t
What you will learn in this course Textbook Online Course Necessities Student Network Account Readings, Assignments Homework
Syllabus, con’t
What you will learn in this course Textbook Online Course Necessities Student Network Account Readings, Assignments Homework
Syllabus, con’t
Readings, Assignments Homework Getting Started Attendance Grades Course Schedule Computer Labs & Tutoring Campus Safety& Security Information
Disability Services
Syllabus, cont.
Student Code of Conduct Netiquette and Privacy
◦Be sure to READ this section so you are prepared to fully participate in the online Discussion Forums
5 Keys to Success
Syllabus, cont.
Cate O’dahl on Academic Honesty “If you steal from one author,
it's plagiarism; if you steal from many, it's research.” Wilson Mizner
So, remember, if you directly quote one author, you must make a citation, if you see the general idea in three or more instances, paraphrase.
Green HVAC is a new way of thinking about an old problem
Einstein said “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
What is Green HVAC?
So, if we agree there is a problem in the United States with residential heating and cooling system efficiency, then according to Einstein, we need a new way to think about the problem to create a solution.
Green HVAC is a new approach to Traditional HVAC that solves some of the efficiency (waste) issues with current HVAC design, installation and maintenance.
This course is designed to prepare HVAC students for changes in the industry toward green HVAC including more energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality in residential home construction, renovation, and repair.
Students will learn basic building science as it applies to green building and, especially to HVAC to understand the “house as a system”.
The class covers new codes and regulations affecting any home repairs, discussions of green options for standard HVAC install, repair or services, including new technology, equipment, and strategies that improve energy savings and indoor air quality.
What is Green HVAC?
Green, as a term associated with building and development, also referred to as “Sustainable” where strategies are designed to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and reduce the impact on the natural environment. It includes water, energy, materials and it comes with an entire new vocabulary that defines its parameters.
In this session we will ◦ Introduce and define Green Building◦ Introduce and define Green HVAC◦ Introduce and define a healthy home◦ Introduce and define indoor air quality◦ Define important factors for discussing Green HVAC◦ Set context for HVAC within the scope of overall green building
Green HVAC and Healthy Homes
Green building, also referred to as sustainable construction, refers to a set of design, construction, and operations & maintenance strategies that:
“Green” Building
Protect the natural environment
Preserve and protect water quality
Improve and enhance indoor air quality
Improve and enhance energy efficiency
The primary green categories include:
◦ Site
◦ Water
◦ Energy Efficiency
◦ Indoor Air Quality
◦ Materials Efficiency
Green Categories
Comfort
Air quality
Operations & Maintenance
Key Components to Healthy Home
HVAC is an integral component to energy efficiency
Equally important to indoor air quality (IAQ)
Indoor air quality is a component of a Healthy Home◦Americans, on average, spend
90% of their time indoors◦Good indoor air quality, then
affects the health of building occupants
Green HVAC and Healthy Homes
Microbial contaminants (mold, bacteria)
Gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds)
Particulates Any mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions.
Indoor Air Quality is Affected by
Using ventilation to dilute contaminants, provide filtration, and source control are the primary methods for improving indoor air quality in most buildings.
Green HVAC and Healthy Homes
Green HVAC refers to◦Energy efficient mechanical systems◦Optimized delivery systems◦ Integrated design to enhance air quality
Healthy Homes include◦Construction & design that drives IAQ◦Material selection choices
that protect IAQ◦Mechanical systems that
support air quality, particularly ventilation
◦Operations & Maintenance that preserves IAQ
Green HVAC and Healthy Homes
In this class we will explore how HVAC service and installation can affect a building’s energy efficiency
We will discuss how diagnostic tests and computer software used to document a building’s energy performance
That is, how well does the HVAC system work in the building considering the system itself, the building shell or envelope, appliances, climate, and occupant behavior
HVAC is an integral component to energy efficiency
Sample EPS Score
Especially in homes with ducted HVAC systems, the efficiency of the HVAC system directly affects the quality of indoor air◦Leaky ducts drawing air from crawl spaces
and attics can introduce contaminants
Air leakage in the building’senvelope (uncontrolled ventilation) also can affect IAQ
Energy Efficiency affect Indoor Air Quality
◦Construction & design Construction includes thermal and air
barrier
◦Material selection choices that protect IAQ Finish materials made without toxic
ingredients Adhesives, coatings, and sealants that
are low-toxic
Indoor air quality is a component of a Healthy Home
◦Mechanical systems that support air quality, particularly ventilation Properly vented combustion devices Combustion Safety procedures
Thoroughly sealed duct work Duct work in conditioned spaces
◦Operations & Maintenance that preserves IAQ System Commissioning Owner’s Manual Scheduled maintenance
Indoor air quality is a component of a Healthy Home
Equipment and Distribution
Climate influences
Occupant influences
Goal of Green HVAC
Purpose of HVAC System
New heating and cooling equipment options offer energy savings
New diagnostic tests allow for eliminating waste in the system◦Duct Leakage Testing Using a duct blaster to test for leakage in air
ducts – new contraction and existing buildings. Air leakage in forced air duct systems is now
recognized as a major source of energy waste in both new and existing houses and commercial buildings
Equipment & Distribution
Studies indicate that duct leakage can account for as much as 25% - 30% of total home energy loss Up to 40% when ducts are in unconditioned spaces
In many cases has a greater impact on energy use than air infiltration through the building shell.
Duct leakage is often the single largest cause of performance and comfort problems.
Duct Leakage
The distribution system is an integral part of many mechanical ventilation systems. It can have a significant effect on the ventilation rate and efficiency of a home. Duct leakage is a source of energy loss, ventilation rate loss, and a source of indoor pollution (in return ducts). When ducts are run through unconditioned spaces like attics, crawlspaces, garages, basements and other locations outside the heated or cooled parts of the house, they not only leak air to and from the outside, but any heat lost through the walls of the duct (by heat conduction) is also lost to the unconditioned space instead of heating and cooling the house.
Source http://bcap-ocean.org/residential-ducts
Distribution System
The building envelope has a direct affect on choices made for HVAC – one of the largest used of energy
Improvements to the building envelope have the potential to reduce Green House Gas emissions from new and existing buildings.
Local climate influences the appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of many decisions pertaining to building envelope design and product selection.
Climate Influences
Even a perfectly designed HVAC can become inefficient quickly if it’s not operated correctly◦Filters need to be changed◦Temperature settings may be altered
Good Green Building contractors provide an O & M Manual to help reduce issues associated with occupant behavior
Occupant Influences
The goal of this class is to introduce green building topics, terminology, strategies into the HVAC certificate series.
The goal of Green HVAC in the industry is to improve energy efficiency and occupant health and home environment quality.
Goal of Green HVAC
Durability Thermal Comfort Energy savings, as opposed to cost
savings Renewable/alternative Energy Sources for
residential applications – solar electric, solar thermal, wind, geo-thermal, micro-hydro
Integrating renewable into existing systems
Important Factors:
The Challenge, according to the Washington State Energy Code, is that
Recent research and testing of new homes in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States shows the importance of a properly installed HVAC system.
Interactions between system components, the house envelope, and other equipment can seriously affect:◦ Occupant health and safety;◦ Occupant comfort;◦ Equipment and structural durability; and◦ Energy efficiency.
Durability of all system components can therefore reduce energy waste and increase efficiency.
Durability
Thermal Comfort — A Key to Occupant Satisfaction and Productivity
Traditional Environmental Comfort Factors◦ Temperature of the room air, ignoring moisture content (i.e., the dry-bulb
temperature) ◦ Relative humidity of the room air ◦ Speed of any room air that's hitting the occupant ◦ Average temperature of the solid surfaces surrounding the occupant (i.e., the
mean radiant temperature) ◦ The amount of solar heat directly hitting the occupant through windows
Other Comfort Factors ◦ Occupant activity level and clothing level ◦ Adaptive factors, such as the amount of control we have over our comfort
conditions ◦ Variability, i.e., whether letting space conditions fluctuate somewhat is more
comfortable than rigidly constant conditions Goal is to manage for these comfort factors when
designing, installing, or servicing HVAC systems
Comfort
This important factor has more to do with how to talk about energy efficiency than as a tangible factor.
We will address this further in Week 8 – Customer Service
Point here is to reframe the way you think and talk about energy efficiency from cost savings to energy savings.
Energy Savings, as opposed toCost Savings
Renewable energy◦Energy Conservation is the single
greatest source of renewable energy◦Solar electric◦Solar water heating◦Wind◦Geo-thermal◦Mini-Hydro
Renewable /Alternate Energy Sources
Since conservation is the greatest single source of renewable energy, conceptually it would seem to be a relatively simple task to “integrate” into existing systems
Downside is this integration requires consumer education, occupant behavior changes and modifications, which are hard to alter, quantify, and report.
Integrating Renewables into Existing Systems
Integrating other renewable energy systems into residential applications is much easier.
Plan for integrating renewables into existing systems in the design phase:◦Pre-wire for solar photovoltaic◦Pre-pipe for solar hot water
Integrating Renewables into Existing Systems
Energy supplies and resources can no longer be taken for granted
Business DecisionsEquipmentNEW Code – set up for next class
Context for GreenTrend vs. fad
Peak Oil ◦ Many experts agree that our societies have used over ½ of all
available oil reserves on the planet and that those remaining reserves are more difficult to extract and may cause environmental tragedies in doing so, namely the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2011.
Peak Natural Gas◦ Some experts agree that natural gas reserves are in the same
perilous quantity scenario as oil, with equal environmental concerns.
Problems with Nuclear Option◦ Disposal and risks from natural disasters .
High costs of obtaining new sources for new demand
Energy Outlook
The links provided on the previous slide present only one side of these very large issues.
Since these issues are not the basis of this class, we will not explore them in depth, but I encourage any class member who has questions about the veracity of these claims, to do research and submit an Extra Credit paper backing up your claims.
Controversy on Energy Demand
Over 30% of heat is lost through most improperly installed or maintained duct work
Improperly sealed building envelopes also offer opportunities for inefficiencies.◦ The building envelope – the interface between the
interior of the building and the outdoor environment, including the walls, roof, and foundation – serves as a thermal barrier and plays an important role in determining the amount of energy necessary to maintain a comfortable indoor environment relative to the outside environment. Source – Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
Case for Energy Efficiency
Choosing to build green Certifying a project Choosing subcontractors that align with green building choices
Plan and design well to avoid cost overruns
Get training and education to support your business decisions
Business Decision
Combustion safety Confined spaces and even unconfined spaces should ALWAYS direct vent because of potential for incomplete combustion
High Efficiency models Energy-Star certified equipment
Equipment
Going Green in HVAC isn’t just a personal choice
New 2009 Washington State Energy Codes increase requirements for energy efficiency.
Latest WSEC
Washington State Energy Code EPA Renovation Regulations Green Building Certifications
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