Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes
of Whole Buildings XI International Conference

Link to Buildings X

Conference photos

Buildings XI proceedings

Workshops Overview and Abstracts

Sunday December 5, 2010

Thursday December 9, 2010

Workshops Overview and Abstracts

Workshop 1, Part 1
Presented by: Laverne Dalgleish

8:00 a.m. – noon

Building Performance with Air Barriers:
This workshop covers the impact of air barriers on the performance of buildings.  Air barriers are now being recognized as having a significant impact on how buildings perform.  The impact can be energy savings, reduced maintenance, longer functioning buildings, better control of humidity levels, making a building more green. These subjects will be covered in this workshop. The current status of whole commercial testing will also be covered.

1. Energy Savings Quantified from Air Barrier Adoption in the Massachusetts Energy Code
2. Do Buildings need to Breathe?
3. Update on Codes and Policy
4. Can a Building be Green without an Air Barrier
5. Whole Building Airtightness Standards

Workshop 1, Part 2
“Impact of Air Leakage on Hygrothermal and Energy Performance of Buildings in North America”
Presented by: Dr. Wahid Maref/Dr. Merle McBride

1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The workshop will cover laboratory and field assessment of air tightness of building envelope in North America and its effects on energy and hygrothermal performance.  An extensive analysis of the energy performance of typical buildings in different climate zone will be presented and layout the importance of air sealing and the impact on the energy for typical wall systems.

Basic building science principals will be discussed in order to highlight the basic fundamental principals pertinent to using infrared Thermography as a diagnostic tool to assess building envelope to assess building envelope anomalies in large buildings.  The use of other diagnostic tools, in conjunction with infrared Thermography, such as high power blower doors specifically designed for large buildings and portable high output smoke generators, will also be discussed.

The workshop will consist as well in presenting assessment of energy rating of insulated wall assemblies.  Extensive testing program to determine the wall air leakage rate at different differential pressures and their thermal resistance, R-value at different temperature differences will be presented. The objective of this study is to come up with WER number by combining the heat loss due to thermal transmission and that due to air leakage.

Four presentations will cover the topic of this workshop:

1. The influence of air tightness on the energy performance of buildings. (Dr. Mike Pellegrin, Owens Corning).
2. The effect of localized air sealing on overall building air tightness for residential new construction. (Dr. David Wolf, Owens Corning).
3. Commissioning of Exterior Building Envelopes of Large Buildings for Air Leakage and Thermal Anomalies Using Infrared Thermography and Other Diagnostic Tools. (Mario Gonçalves, President of Patenaude-Trempe, Inc.).
4. Moisture Management and Energy Analysis in Buildings. (Dr. Wahid Maref-Senior Research Officer at NRCC).

Workshop 2
Thermal Mass Workshop IV - 2010 Topic: Phase Change Materials
Presented by: Jan Kosny, Ph.D.

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Since 2001, an international group of building science specialists, material engineers, and researchers have been meeting during the Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes Conference to discuss current research results, new materials, new design trends, and new applications of the thermal mass in buildings. Modern "dynamic buildings" can utilize thermal excitations coming from the environment to improve overall energy efficiency with smart use of conventional massive components or phase change materials (PCMs). Significant energy-savings are possible by blending thermally massive components with natural elements such as sunlight, dynamic thermal excitations, night irradiation, breezes, and appropriate landscaping. When properly combined, these elements may produce a building with less reliance on purchased energy, less environmental impact, and improved thermal comfort.

Today, building designs, utilizing either conventional thermal mass or PCMs, are receiving wider acclaim due to both energy cost concerns and the increasing interest in the environmental impact of buildings.

This year, we will propose two research/technical sessions which will be focused exclusively on: PCM products, testing, and applications. At this moment we have confirmations from twenty distinguished international speakers. After these sessions, similar like three years ago, we would like to invite all conference participants for PCM SAMPLING EVENT with selection of enjoyable PCMs. 

Workshop Program:

Session 1: Advances in PCM Testing and New Computational Tools for Whole Building Energy Analysis of PCM-Enhanced Building Components.

1. Marc LaFrance – U.S. Department of Energy, USA – Introduction, Opening Presentation
2. Pete Horvath – Phase Change Energy Solutions, USA – New Bio-Based PCMs Case Studies
3. Dr. Hans-Peter Ebert – Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research, Germany - Current Research at the ZAE Bayern – Advanced PCM Applications for Energy Efficient Buildings
4. Dr. Hartwig Kuenzel – Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, Germany - Assessing Thermal and Moisture Control Benefits of PCM Components by Hygrothermal Simulation
5. Dr. Harald Mehling – Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research, Germany - Current Research at the ZAE Bayern – Testing, Data Representation and Modeling of PCM
6. Bryan Urban – Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, USA – EnergyPlus Modeling of Wall Systems Containing Internal PCM Thermal Mass
7. Dr. Som Shrestha – Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA - Modeling PCM-Enhanced Insulation System in EnergyPlus
8. Dr. Marcus Bianchi and Dr. Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco - National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA - Determining the Cost-Effectiveness of Phase Change Materials in Residential Building
9. Dr. Peter Schossig – Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Germany - Standardization of Testing PCMs in Germany - Status Report

Session 2: PCM Thermal Mass Applications – New Research, New Materials and New Applications.

1. Dr. Reyad Sawafta - Phase Change Energy Solutions, USA – A close Look at Encapsulation of Phase Change Materials 
2. Dr. Joseph King – DuPont, USA – Hydrocarbon-Based PCM Applications
3. Prof. Motoi Yamaha – Chubu University, Japan - Thermal Storage System Using Phase Change Materials in Air Distribution Systems for Peak Shaving
4. Dr. Peter Schossig – Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Germany - Paraffin PCM Slurries for Cold Storage Applications
5. Joseph Alderman – Alderman Research, USA and Dr. David Yarbrough – R&D Services, USA - Production, Properties, and Applications of Packaged Phase-Change Materials
6.  Jennifer Willson – National Gypsum, USA - Thermal Mass in Light Weight Construction
7. Greg Roda – Outlast, USA - Outlast Technologies Capabilities in PCM Application
8. David Brown – Fabral, USA and Dr. Jan Kosny - Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, USA  – PCMs in Building America Projects - Roof Retrofit Technology with Use of the PCM Heat Sink

Session 3:  PCM SAMPLING EVENT

Please join us at 4.00 P.M. in the hotel lobby for a continuation of discussion about the PCM Thermal Mass. We will serve several forms of drinkable and edible PCMs.

Workshop 3
Understanding Home Energy Use
Presented by: Merle McBride, Jonathan Coulter/Jeff Christian/Gerry Greaves/Frank Tyler
8:00 a.m. – noon

In this workshop issues related to reducing energy use in existing homes are presented.  The focus is on practical air sealing opportunities, but also addresses other areas for energy reduction.  Finally, an a utility bill analysis to evaluate options is presented.  Three presentations are listed below

1. Air Sealing of Existing Homes – a Pilot Study (Frank Tyler, Owens Corning, and Jonathan Coulter, Advanced Energy)

Early this year, a pilot study of some 20 homes was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of air sealant application in existing residential buildings.  The goal was to evaluate cost-benefit of air sealing with regards to different types of homes in various parts of the country. The effectiveness of air sealing strategies was measured by incremental blower door tests at different stages of the installation. Diagnostics included use of infrared imaging and pan pressure tests.  A clear understanding of cause-effect relationships was established in addition to diminishing returns with respect to the ability to seal the various leakage points in these constructions.  This presentation focuses on the technical and practical aspects of retro-fit air sealing, and will highlight best practices and learnings with regards to preparation, sealing techniques and benefits, and health and safety considerations.

2. Residential Retrofit Program (Jeff Christian, ORNL)

Ten deep retrofits are under construction in the US Mixed Humid Climate.  These are occupied homes with before and after energy performance measured data.  The energy savings predicted is at least 40% in all houses.  The energy performance of these ten occupied houses are being compared to 3 simulated occupancy houses of similar size and characteristics. All thirteen of these houses are within a 40 mile radius.   A summary including lessons learned from a 161 page first year detailed measured performance report of these three robot driven research houses will be presented. This includes a $10K retrofit that meets neutral cash flow and saves 40% of the whole house energy compared to a benchmark house.  The annual 10 yr, 6% loan cost is less than the energy savings.  Some of these existing houses had almost 30 ACH@50 Pa.  Blower door directed air tightening has brought these leakage measurements to less than 6 ACH@50 Pa.  Results from this research are designed to inform particularly Utility lead residential retrofit programs. A variety of different air sealing envelope techniques have been used in these homes.  A PV integrated system is employed in a sensitive historic district that is totally invisible to the average person on the street. The basement of one of these homes form the ring for the World Wrestling Championship of heat pumps.  The house that the termites and carpenter bees helped prepare the stage for an exterior wall retrofit will be unveiled. Five of the houses are being used to measure the performance of novel methods of managing foundation moisture while reducing foundation heat loss.  These features and more will be shown in this workshop.

3. Understanding Home Energy Use (Gerry Greaves, Owens Corning)

Conducting energy analyses of existing homes has all the challenges of energy modeling of new homes plus uncertainties about the details of construction, insulation, window properties, HVAC efficiencies, etc.  Fortunately, existing homes have one significant advantage; we know the answer from utility bills.  By careful analysis of the energy usage from 12 months of utility bills, plus an energy analysis of the home based on simple data that most home owners can obtain for themselves, a fairly detailed picture of the energy use of the home can be achieved.  The efficiency of the home and occupant behavior can be decoupled to some extent.  The home can then be compared to typical older homes, homes built to various codes, and highly efficient homes.  Finally, the cost effectiveness of energy conservation measures can be assessed.  Owens Corning has developed and will review a spreadsheet-based methodology to conduct these analyzes.‪

Workshop 4
Cool Roof Calculator
Presented by: Joshua New/Bill Miller/Andre Desjarlais

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ongoing research by DOE at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Building Envelopes Program has lead to important contributions aimed at maximizing cost-effective energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings. ORNL’s AtticSim software package allows advanced modeling of modern attic and cool roofing technologies including above-sheathing ventilation, radiant barriers, low-emittance surfaces, multiple layers of thermal mass, and solar reflectivity of cool roofing. Moreover, it has been developed and validated against several demonstration homes in various climates. The AtticSim package has now been integrated with DOE-2.1E to allow hour-by-hour performance calculations for a year with reports of annual energy savings based on your location and building properties. This integrated tool has been deployed with an intuitive web interface as an industry-consensus Roof Savings Calculator (RSC).

Workshop 5
Commercial Building Science Seminar Series:
Presented by: Stanley Gatland, II

8:00 a.m. – noon

BSP716:  Commercial Building Science - Thermal Control in Building Envelopes – Webinar (1 AIA CEU, HSW, SD)

The seminar combines a visually interesting presentation with computer animation to systematically describe the basic scientific principles of heat flow, building envelope design and construction details for most types of commercial construction.  ASTM standard test methods and ASHRAE calculation procedures used to determine the thermal properties of building materials and thermal performance of insulated wall assemblies, roofing assemblies and fenestration products will be discussed in detail.

BSP715:  Commercial Building Science - Air Barriers - Webinar
(1 AIA CEU, HSW)

The seminar combines a visually interesting presentation with computer animation to systematically describe the basic scientific principles of air flow, building envelope design and construction details for most types of commercial construction.  Various air barrier system details will be discussed, along with the concept of compartmentalization.

BSP712: Commercial Building Science - Moisture Management – Webinar
(1 AIA CEU, HSW, SD)

The seminar combines a visually interesting presentation with computer animation to systematically describe the basic scientific principles of moisture flow, building envelope design and construction details for most types of commercial construction.  Topics to be covered include moisture flow mechanisms, climate considerations, exterior walls, hygrothermal analysis, roofing applications, fenestration products and moisture sources in buildings.

Predicting the Hygrothermal Performance of Commercial Building Envelope Systems Using Computer Modeling Techniques Outlined in ASHRAE Standard 160-2009

Abstract: 

Hygrothermal analysis predicts the impact of transient heat and moisture transfer on building envelopes over time.  Today several computer modeling programs are available to the designer.  The specialized software helps the user visualize such factors as surface temperature differences, surface condensation potential, mold growth potential, building material moisture content and moisture accumulation rates.  In addition, the recently published ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 160-2009, “Criteria for Moisture-Control Design Analysis in Buildings,” now provides guidance on how to successfully conduct hygrothermal analysis.

The purpose of this paper is to present several illustrations of how to use the hygrothermal modeling techniques provided in ASHRAE Standard 160 to evaluate moisture-related problems in commercial roof and wall systems in various climates.  Issues with cool roof surface temperatures, thermal bridging due to fasteners and metal framing, water vapor permeance of vapor retarders and water resistive barriers, as well as the influence of surface temperature on air leakage will all be discussed.

Workshop 6
Resolving Durability Problems Created by Energy Efficient Design
Presented by: Andreas Holm, Achilles Karagiozis, Manfred Kehrer and Carl-Eric Hagentoft

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Building design is becoming more complex than before. Innovations in materials and system design create additional challenges to the performance. Sustainability issues require solutions that optimize the performance of the building. In this workshop the role of internal and external boundary conditions coupled with occupant behavior will be examined for a number of problematic buildings.

Workshop 7
DOE Building Envelopes Roadmap
Presented by: Marc LaFrance

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This presentation will highlight the key research and development areas that the U.S. Department of Energy is working on to achieve low energy buildings. The development of the next generation of windows that are highly insulated and have dynamic solar control are a major component of the overall strategy to achieve this goal. Integrated roof systems including phase change material, below roof deck ventilation, and radiant barriers, and moisture control can offer dramatic savings. These advanced research topics along with projects and technologies that are closer to the market will be discussed.

DOE will present its current research activities and priorities that have been documented in its multi-year plan. Participants will be able to provide key input to influence DOE’s decisions that may result in plans to conduct competitive solicitations for funding opportunities.

Results of our cool roof peer review activity will be presented and input on our draft cool roof roadmap will be sought.  Finally a summary of our international activities on standards harmonization will be presented.

For more information on the DOE Building Envelopes Roadmap Workshop, click here.

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