Net Zero Buildings - October 2012 / Greenbuild Companion

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NET ZERO BUILDINGS ลข The 2012 NZB Product Advances Annual

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NET ZERO BUILDINGS THE ANATOMY OF NET ZERO building envelope ลข on-site power ลข lig gh htin ing daylighting ลข water management ลข hvac

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| TOWARD ZERĂ˜ |

VOLUME 01, NUMBER 01 OCTOBER 2012 www.nzbmagazine.com

Gary Redmond

Managing Partner Director Publishing Operations gary@nzbmagazine.com

Tim Shea

Managing Partner Director Business Development tim@nzbmagazine.com

BRAVE, NEW (BUT NOT QUIET) WORLD What, exactly, is Net-Zero design? The answer, of course, is completely subjective, and 9 of 10 people will likely give you a dierent answer. Welcome to NZB, a publication dedicated to sorting out this movement, even if it is one step at a time.

EDITORIAL Jim Crockett

Editorial Director jimc@nzbmagazine.com

Megan Mazzocco

Associate Editor megan@nzbmagazine.com

Contributing Editors Vilma Barr Barbara Horwitz-Bennett Chuck Ross Stan Walerczyk Kevin Willmorth

Rich Binsacca Ellen Lampert-Greaux Vicki Speed Alan Weis Mindi Zissman

Copy Editors Mavis Linnemann

Jan Bottiglieri

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Dave Pape

Art Director dave@nzbmagazine.com

Lauren Lenkowski

Associate Art Director lauren@nzbmagazine.com

Alex Mastera

Graphic Designer alex@nzbmagazine.com

CIRCULATION MANAGEMENT Jeff Heine

630.739.0900 ext. 201

ADVERTISING SALES Gary Redmond 847.359.6493 gary@nzbmagazine.com

Tim Shea 847.359.6493 tim@nzbmagazine.com

Trey Higgens 847.577.8980 trey@nzbmagazine.com

Jim Oestmann 847.838.0500 jim@nzbmagazine.com

David Haggett 847.934.9123 davidh@nzbmagazine.com

Ted Rzempoluch 609.361.1733 ted@nzbmagazine.com

Jim FĂźhrer 503.679.5409 jimf@nzbmagazine.com

Bob Fox 917.273.8062 bob@nzbmagazine.com

I

f you’re familiar with our sister publication, illuminate, you may notice a familiar format we launched in conjunction with Lightfair earlier this year: an informative, but breezy segmentation of major trends aecting the A/E/C world dissected into products and applications intended to get readers and conference attendees conversing with the people producing the technology to make these trends a reality. This time around, the conference is Greenbuild, and although lighting remains a substantive portion of the bill of fare, we wanted to include the other major disciplines we’ve internally identiďŹ ed as the pillars of high-performance design and sustainability: the building envelope; daylighting; HVAC; on-site power generation; and water conservation and management. We really believe these segments provide the core of what many call “deep energyâ€? design or retroďŹ t strategies, or in more enlightened circles, net-zero energy design. In fact, this special issue serves not only as a Greenbuild companion, it’s an aperitif for a new, much more comprehensive publication we’ll be launching this spring: Net Zero Buildings. That said, we have a dierent perspective on the whole 2030 initiative: it truly is a journey, and one that must start with small steps—and more importantly—a vision and a plan. In the following pages, we oer a primer on what net-zero energy entails, including how to get a handle on determining one’s end-game objective. A handful of zero-energy or “zero-energy-readyâ€? buildings do exist—mostly LEED Platinum projects—we’ll proďŹ le these facilities, and others, in coming issues, but rather

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NZB PRIMER What is net zero energy or a net zero building? The answer is truly subjective, thus one we hope to explore in this “overture� to a new publication we’re launching in the Spring.

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES There is no charge for subscriptions to qualified requestors in the U.S. All other annual subscriptions will be charged $39 for standard delivery or $55 for air mail delivery. For subscriptions, inquiries or address changes, call 630 739 0900 ext. 201.

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DEPARTMENTS

A Publication of Construction Business Media

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than trying to identify how to design and construct an entirely net-zero facility, our mission is to identify systems and strategies that are working, and to help savvy designers and owners identify concepts that may work for them, including ideas as to how to make a master plan and implement these ideas over time, as budgets and the economy are real issues that can’t be brushed aside. Equally important to identifying what is and what is not doable, net-zero building design requires a dierent mind set. Let me tell a sort of parable, or better yet, frame it in context of a tale from a master story teller: John Ford’s The Quiet Man. The ďŹ lm stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, and it’s about an ill-fortuned American boxer who returns to the village of his parents in Ireland for some peace and soul searching. What he encounters is far from it, as the place is ďŹ lled with eccentric personalities that invoke a rather ridiculous series of events. In bringing these quirky characters to life, Ford masterfully cast a wonderful population of bit actors that warm the screen as much as the big guns. When it comes to the world of net-zero energy building design, successful projects very much reect the need for a great and diverse supporting cast, each of whom can lend a critical supporting role in making the “Duke’sâ€? of the world look that much better. Now to the parable: A memorable scene from the movie sums up a discrepancy I’ve observed within the “greenâ€? community that I think will prove a barrier unless addressed: After much courting and skullduggery, Wayne

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ADVERTISER INDEX

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LAST WORD

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BUILDING ENVELOPE Get a feel for thermal performance and see products that help.

LIGHTING Conservation begins with reducing lighting consumption.

ON-SITE POWER A glimpse at the concept of distributed generation and tech available now.

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HVAC Perhaps the heart of NZE design, begin to decode this category.

WATER Explore strategies that move beyond conservation to management.

DAYLIGHTING An often misunderstood building science, it also oers great opportunity.

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

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4COMMENTARY 7@AB E=@2

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BRAVE, NEW (BUT NOT QUIET ) WORLD and O’Hara are married. Surveying their cottage, O’Hara chastises Wayne for planting roses as opposed to potatoes. She tells Wayne he could sell his prize horse to buy a draft horse. The Duke suggests a tractor. “Smelly, noisy things,â€? counters O’Hara, noting the by-product of the former can be used for other purposes. “The roses,â€? quips Wayne. O’Hara’s response to the tractor is spot on in matching the attitude exhibited by a lot of sustainably minded A/E/C practitioners—anything using fossil fuel is bad, right? I’m not so sure. There are arguments for both sides, and implementation of distributed power generation equipment—“smelly, noisy thingsâ€?—is actually a critical early step in bridging the gap in the equation to equal “net zero.â€? On-site power is not the ďŹ rst thing that comes to mind in delivering net-zero projects, but no matter how much a high-performance design conserves, it will always end up signiďŹ cantly short of “zero,â€? as energy must still be created to power buildings. The Utopian fantasy is to assign solar, wind power or maybe even hydrogen fuel cells as the non-fossil-fuel energy source. I think each of these technologies has their place, albeit more in line with that of a child actor who may grow into a key role in a long-

running series. But today there are somewhat rough, Victor McLaglen-like best-supporting-actor techs available that might be worth exploring in the here and now—say, natural-gas ďŹ red generators. “He may be clumsy, but he has a tremendous right and a jaw of granite,â€? notes the Rev. Mr. Playfair in the ďŹ lm when advising the Duke of the big ďŹ ght he’s about to have with the hulking brother of O’Hara, played by the aforementioned McLaglen. For those who have never seen the movie, after the Homeric in-law clash—and several pints—both become best of friends. I think this is where some things have to migrate in the world of making net-zero a reality. Designers must work with not only with other consultants, but contractors and even manufacturers, and perhaps even consider technology they don’t quite believe is Kosher. While not a Net-Zero project, Bridgestone’s Advanced Technology Center in Akron, Ohio, featured in the primer that follows, is a good example of such a common-sense marriage. The client, a Firestone company, asked that the architects, Sol Harris/Day, try to use some of their products where it made sense, in order for the client to showcase the facility and some of its wares, so to speak.

This early identiďŹ ed liaison proved an eective partnership as water management and conservation were major project goals, due not only for a desire to achieve LEED certiďŹ cation, but to deal with larger water/infrastructure issues Akron is suering through. As a result, the designers eectively capitalized on a number of the company’s rooďŹ ng and water channeling products that were well suited to the occasion. Corollary? Partnering and discussion with the many “charactersâ€? of the A/E/C world is good, as is being open-minded to big-picture solutions, even if they seem a bit fuzzy. Generators aren’t so bad, and the concept of cogeneration—where steam is generated as a by-product of the power generation—is wonderfully sustainable, especially in operations that consume a lot of hot water like hotels, dorms and hospitals. Granted, they’re burning methane, but getting a facility o the grid and reducing the amount of coal—and water consumption that goes with it hand in hand—is a good thing. I’m not saying it’s a permanent solution, but it’s a start. And it makes for a very colorful character in a cast that needs stand-out supporting characters. Give Peace a Chance.

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BRIDGESTONE ATC Akron, Ohio Bridgestone's Advanced Technology Center, shooting for LEED Gold certification, is a good example of selecting sustainable building strategies that make sense for both green and budgetary goals. Designed by SOL Harris Day Architecture, the project employs a lot of basic, but sound strategies, such as a varied facade composed of different envelope materials that helped significantly reduce the HVAC load.

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Defining Net Zero: A Primer The first step in developing a net-zero energy (NZE) strategy is defining what NZE means. “The term net-zero energy building has become a popular catch phrase, to quote a recent article in Journal of Green Building,” says Paul Bertram, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP, and director of environment & sustainability for Kingspan Insulated Panels North America. But to actually use efficient building systems and renewable energy, Bertram says there’s a need “to balance a building’s energy budget over an annual cycle, and as the authors defined it, this requires a serious strategy.” Other definitions offer a more lenient attitude. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has defined a zero-energy building— ZEB—as one with “greatly reduced energy needs through efficiency gains such that the balance of energy needs can be supplied with renewable technologies." But even the initialisms differ—is it ZEBs or NZBs? In all cases, Bertram says it's safe to say they're buildings that are typically connected to

the electric utility’s grid as a backup if renewable sources are not performing properly, and as a way to allow any excess energy produced by the building to be supplied to the power provider. "All the definitions tend to use an annual budget for comparison," says Bertram. The similarities end there. For example, the goal, he says, may be to create an "NZE site." In this case, Bertram says the goal is for the building or buildings on a site to produce at least as much energy as would be consumed in a year. "This is among the most commonly used definitions of what net-zero means," he says. Another approach, according to NREL, is "net-zero source energy," where the building is energy-neutral when accounted for at the primary resources used to generate its power. For example, an office complex that exclusively uses utility-based wind power is different from a similar building that doesn’t discriminate where its electricity comes from. A third and very different approach, says Bertram, is "NZE costs." Here, money paid to

the building owner by the utility should at least equal the amount the owner pays the utility for energy and related services. Energy modeling is often used to determine costs and payback. Lastly, Bertram explains, project teams may prefer the term "NZE emissions," which is based on the idea of a building producing at least as much emissions-free renewable energy as it uses from energy sources that emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. "In this case, the strategy includes ways to offset energy source impacts through energy conservation and renewable strategies at the building site," says Bertram. “It starts to become clear to us all: We can achieve net-zero in a variety of ways, all for the good of the environment and energy independence,” he says.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

A serrated edge on the western facade of the facility allows for daylighting while minimizing solar heat gain.

Performance of the glazing and curtain wall system was important as the designers made sure the system was thermally broken.

Hybrids, Too

Step 2: Strategize

But wait–there’s more. Recently, a number of hybrid NZE definitions have surfaced that would make even an investment banker blush: There are portfolio-aggregated NZE strategies, for example, which allow owners of multiple facilities to treat their assorted properties as one big site. "This could be a university campus, but it could just as easily be a municipality’s real estate holdings or even a corporation’s global facilities," explains Bertram. The benefit of aggregating, he says, is clear: It encourages flexibility in achieving NZE and more responsible behavior across larger segments of the building world. It even encourages more production of renewables on some building sites to offset consumption by facilities where NZE is simply not possible.

So by having an explicit definition in mind, Bertram says, building project teams can better identify their goals and the basis for success. “That means it’s strategy time.” The basic first step is to determine how the team will prove that the building or site (or aggregated portfolio) meets the NZE definition selected. Energy modeling, based on the energy standard ASHRAE 90.1 guidelines, is an effective tool if there is an established baseline to compare against. The second step is to compare optimized solutions to choose the building approach with maximum energy efficiency. “It’s easier with new construction projects,” says Bertram, “Because you have a blank slate and aren’t limited by the previous design team’s choices and assumptions.” On all projects, however, energy conservation measures will likely be more cost-effective than boosting renewable energy production. “For that reason, renewables should be considered carefully and weighed more heavily during the schematic phase,” he says. Examples of successful NZE are still rare, but they are cropping up; a related approach, called deep energy retrofits for existing facilities, is helping bring America’s building stock closer to net-zero.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

One example is the Castle Square project in Boston led by a team including Biome Studio and Counter, Inc. The project, which employs Kingspan insulated panels, illustrates why energy conservation—including high-performance enclosures—is the most cost-effective way to move toward net-zero. Castle Square’s “super-insulating shell,” according to Bertram, reduces energy and emissions in ways that wind, solar thermal or photovoltaic power generation would be hard-pressed to do on its tight urban site. Green power and renewable energy, according to Bertram, have yet to mature, but "Renewable energy credits will help more buildings become net-zero until renewables demonstrate quicker and stronger paybacks. They may play an important role in how your project team defines NZE—to the benefit of the owner, the environment, and the bottom line,” says Bertram.

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OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

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A vegetated roof, used in conjunction with a white roof, helps reduce the facility’s cooling load by 8%.

Water management is a big part of the project, including a vegetated roof over lower-level labs.

This architectural feature to add color is actually fiber cement board. Use of recyclable materials was a goal of the project.

Prairie grasses and bio-swales help reduce rain water run off, which is also collected for irrigation.

Behind the scenes, rigid insulation was used along with an air barrier system to ensure thermal performance.

A New World Beyond defining what NZE is, the design and planning process is also completely different from the traditional design-build-occupy process. It all begins with a discussion—like LEED, the charette process is critical. According to Helen Kessler with HJ Kessler, Chicago, a high-performance buildings and LEED consultant, all members of the building team—architects, engineers, owners—need to be equal and have equal input. “The owner is especially key, and the mental model must be the first thing to change,” she says. Of course, the other critical change element, designwise, is a shift to integrated design and systems. “You can have high-performance pieces, but if the whole isn’t performing as a whole, the building won’t deliver,” says Kessler. The building discussion—with the whole building team—begins with a stripping down of a building before it even has a form. “Then look for better systems—lighting, geothermal—whatever." Sachin Anand, P.E., LEED AP, a principal with dbHMS, a Chicago-based engineering firm that designs many of those “better” systems, notably geothermal—partners frequently with Kessler, including co-presenting educational seminars on the subject matter. Rather than starting with

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sexy technologies, he notes it’s imperative that the team sits down with the owner to nail down a set of prescriptive performance requirements. “This should be part of your commissioning contract, with specific language spelling out 'X' goals,” says Anand, noting it’s not about the “best” or most exotic tech, but the tech that makes the most sense. Another critical change from both an owner’s perspective and a consultant’s perspective is the need to migrate from “energy accounting”—that which is typically done on most projects today—to “real energy modeling,” where you use modeling tools to experiment and determine what technologies will deliver the kind of building performance desired, vs. using tools to determine one’s building’s actual energy performance. This process, he says, is called retro-commissioning, and the whole idea is to identify how to bring down costs, mainly by eliminating redundancies where possible, and usually executed by incorporating smaller, less expensive mechanical systems. “But there must be trust and trueness from the owner.” Kessler adds it means all team members must be vocal and participatory. “You will get pushed out of your comfort zone,” says the architect.

This means coming to the table with data and facts, adds Anand, that support the technology or systems you wish to implement. “Commoditize the squishy,” recommends the engineer. Both he and Kessler were involved in a prototype math and sciences high school on Chicago’s southwest side where they had to put the notion to practice. The facility was actually the second of four planned schools, and a base architectural design was already in place. Unfortunately, the original design did not jell with a number of the key systems the team wished to implement, notably daylighting, since the majority of programmed classrooms would face a northern exposure. Again, with the help of good discussion and true energy modeling, the combination of geothermal exchange on the HVAC side, plus a better glazing solution—the original design called for very slim vertical windows—allowed the team to prove the new design would save 3,000 BTUs over the base building, and more importantly, would create a system where there would be zero days where the heating load would not be met, and only 5 days where the cooling load would not be met, opposed to 88 and 8 days, respectively, with the originally proposed system.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

ASHEBORO CHURCH OF GOD ASHEBORO, N.C.

Although nothing appears radical about the church, it's using a cool new envelope technology that can indeed be called a net zero product. The material is “phase-change," a wax-like, sort of insulation material used in conjunction with metal roofing

or wall systems. In this instance, the material is incorporated as part of Fabral’s roofing product. In a nutshell, the material absorbs and “holds” heat, releasing it later in the evening or overnight, significantly reducing daytime cooling loads.

The Rx is Cx In this case, the “exotic” geo-exhange system proved its merit, knocking down annual electricity costs from $134,000/year to $83,000/year, and natural gas costs from $11,000/year to $8,300/year. “But it all comes back to architecture and construction,” says Anand. “With a high-performance HVAC system, we were able to make the building less tall and eliminated a mechanical penthouse, making it significantly less costly than the first school's design.” That’s the bottom line. He suggests teams find out what monies are out there—grants, rebates, incentives— but ultimately, the system should be able to stand on its own as far as payback and performance. In the case of the high school, the geo-exchange system was so efficient that the school was not able to qualify for available rebates.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

On a final note, Anand can’t emphasize enough the role of commissioning throughout the process. “You have to start by having a project narrative that outlines the owners’ requirements/expectations; a major description of what the design will entail; and a commissioning plan—and commissioning should be a phased process throughout the process, not just two weeks of testing at the end.” From an architect’s perspective, Anand notes it’s critical to get a check list from the owner/operator at the beginning of the process which clearly identifies what systems or goals are “must haves” so something is not eliminated down the line. He also encourages architects to reach out to local organizations, such as the Energy Center of Wisconsin, who have a wealth of knowledge to share about systems and technologies one might not be familiar or comfortable with. Matt Sutter, one of the architects on the Bridgestone ATC project, says a big part of any good sustainable project that must not get lost in the drive for energy efficiency is the impact the building will have on the people that will work there. “The ATC was a big cultural change for Bridgestone in that the building would be a mixing point of a lot of different groups of employees who would be suddenly

interacting, so the well being of Bridgestone’s employees was a big part of the project,” says Sutter. These kinds of initiatives, such as the fact that 92% of all the spaces in the facility have views to the outside, “don’t earn any kinds of [LEED] points, but they do help. And seeing the kind of cross knowledge being gained in these spaces because of the building design, that’s the most rewarding aspect of the project,” says the architect.

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

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| ENVELOPE |

VANCOUVER COMMUNITY LIBRARY Vancouver, Wash.

Building Envelope The building envelope, from its facade to its roof, plays a key role in maintaining balance between energy inside and outside its walls. The level of energy efficiency, comfort and maintenance requirement depends on protection from the elements and the ability to maintain ideal temperatures and humidity levels in its climate. Better insulation and air-sealing of the exterior envelope equates to reduction of energy usage as well as reduction of infiltration of moisture and exterior pollutants. Beyond better performing glazing and roof systems, general insulation is an element that can be addressed on almost all buildings. Continuous insulation (Ci) is a relatively new buzz word in the A/E/C world. It is applied on the exterior of framed walls and blocks thermal shorts through studs and other framing members—the

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

phenomenon better known as"thermal bridging." According to insulation manufacturer GreenGuard, if continuous insulation is applied on the exterior of framing where cavity insulation is used, the effective insulation value of the wall will approach that of the rated insulated value of the insulation. That is reflected in the prescriptive method of the 2012 IECC Code. Of the variety of systems for Ci and air barriers, one of the most straightforward, according to the manufacturer, is the combination of extruded polystyrene rigid board insulation and a mechanically attached air barrier membrane. Although rigid board insulation, properly sealed, provides significant air and moisture resistance, air barrier membranes are specifically designed to block air infiltration. Air barrier sheets, notes GreenGuard,

Miller Hull turned to a terracotta rainscreen system from Argeton as the German-based company was able to provide key color matching for two specified earth tones in a wall system that would also allow for high building performance with the application of insulation behind the cladding material on this LEED project.

are evaluated for air permeance and are typically installed using air-barrier sealants, flashing and tapes seams and joints to achieve and maintain the air barrier. As is noted in the products on the following pages, thermal bridging can also be checked in the curtain wall and glazing itself with multi-paned systems that employ spacers and other techniques. Glazing coatings and films also aid the process of not only better insulating the envelope, but in better controlling solar heat gain. A truly novel introduction to the building envelope arena is building intergrated photovoltaics. Unlike other materials, BIPV glass takes advantage of a previously untapped resource: the enormous square footage of building facades. Most importantly, according to Udi Paret, VP Marketing & Business Development, Pythagoras Solar,

building façade solutions offer highly effective energy efficiency, lowering the amount of energy consumed by minimizing solar heat gained and thereby demands on HVAC systems. This, he says, provides effective daylighting and reduces the need for artificial light, making for more comfortable and productive work and living environments while at the same time generating energy. Pythagoras, in fact, has teamed up with Guardian Industries to offer the latter's "PVGU" product, which combines Guardian's efficient SunGuard glazing with Pythagoras' PV. "As we look ahead, this PVGU stands to move BIPV towards its full potential and help make net-zero energy buildings a reality by turning this massive surface area into an energy and money generating asset," says Paret.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

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BUILDING ENVELOPE

Work Around The $66 million Tucker High School construction program posed a unique challenge for its designers at Milton Pate Architects—the new facility had to be constructed around existing buildings on the same site as the original 1963 school. The Tucker, Ga., effort, which incorporates 1,144 CarbonCast High Performance Insulated Wall Panels from the Altus Group, went up in two phases. The panels incorporate integral architectural finishes, including thin-brick veneer and limestone-like sandblasting. Interior walls feature a smooth, painted trowel finish. Sandwiched between these two layers is 4 in. of EPS insulation, creating an R-19 insulation value. Circle 276 . Altus Group www.altusprecast.com

GREAT RIVERS RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER Alton, Ill. Stop Cold in its Tracks The performance of window framing and glazing has come to the forefront of the green building discussion as architects are turning more and more toward improving the building systems we already have in place. Aluminum is a good choice for fenestration framing because it has excellent structural performance and narrow sight lines, and is environmentally friendly and has unlimited finish options. However, aluminum does have high thermal conductivity. Azon's Warm Light warm edge spacer system helps maximize energy efficiency and comfort by debridging the thermal barrier. Circle 275 .

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The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center serves as both a museum and a scientific research facility for individuals interested in how the ecosystem functions at the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers. Its facade was designed to blend into the surrounding environment, mimicking the limestone bluffs of the area. Carlisle Syntec, Greenbuild booth: 3669N.

TOPPING THE GREAT RIVERS RESEARCH CENTER

A LEED-certified model of green construction, the center features a unique roof, and be it from its shape to its drainage needs, it required a nonstandard application. Once the concrete structural deck was complete, it was primed and a Carlisle modified base sheet was set in type 3 asphalt. The next layer was made of Carlisle’s EPDM FleeceBACK AFX-plus membrane, also set in asphalt, with overlaid pressure-sensitive field seams. Carlisle’s HV300 protection fabric was laid over the FleeceBACK membrane followed by CCW’s MiraDrain 9800 drainage board to facilitate runoff. Insulation ranging from 4 in. to a full 3-ft.-thick sculpted the effect of rolling hills. Next, a 40-mil polypropylene root barrier with hot air-welded seams was installed over an EnkaDrain 3611R drainage mat. Carlisle growth media, applied at a minimum depth of 12 in., accommodates an assortment of prairie grasses meant to blend into grasses native to the region.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

%8,/',1* (19(/23(

Stay Cool Architect TowerPinkster selected Guardian SunGuard SuperNeutral 54 in clear for Linden Grove Middle School in Kalamazoo, Mich., which delivers 54% visible light transmission but with only a 0.28 solar heat gain coefficient, to keep energy costs down. Architects can specify even greater performance, delivered through higher light transmission, improved u-factor or low solar heat gain, or a combination of all of these. Creating a clear plan to the right glass choice can be streamlined into a few steps: 1. Identify design intent; 2. Examine performance vs. the look; 3. Consider the coatings; 4. Take advantage of new trends in glazing; 5. Make sure you’re looking at all the angles. Circle 274 .

1301N

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

Guardian www.guardian.com

Thermal Breakthrough New technology—a polyamide thermal break in place of the traditional pour and debridged-style thermal break—is now enabling greater thermal performance for Kawneer’s new OptiQ Ultra Thermal Window. The innovative thermal break, in combination with 1-in. and 1¾-in. triple insulating glass, offers a higher level of thermal continuity. Furthermore, reduced sightlines also decrease thermal conductivity while wider thermal break profiles allow for increased space between interior and exterior metal. Circle 273 .

401S

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

Kawneer www.alcoa.com/traco

PATTISON CENTRE Okanagan College, Penticton BC The Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation utilizes Guardian SunGuard SN 68 for the project’s 20,000 sq. ft. of exterior glass. Created by CEI Architecture, the triple-glazed façade engages the campus by revealing interior activity. The Centre is designed to the standards of the Living Building Challenge and LEED platinum certification. The high performance characteristics of SunGuard SN68 contribute to the net-zero energy consumption of the building. The project has won a number of awards, including the Canadian Green Buildings Awards, whose jury noted it was “… the best example of a well-integrated, passive design solution in which the architecture was not overburdened with technology.”

Guardian www.guardian.com

1301S

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

13

BUILDING ENVELOPE

Bad Weather and Other Hazards InsulFoam’s HD Composite insulation panel is intended for new or retrofit roof systems requiring resistance to misuse, abuse and severe weather. The panels are made of a closed-cell, extremely lightweight and resilient expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam factorybonded to high-density polyisocyanurate cover board. The composite insulation provides significant field labor savings and a cover board offering high compressive strength (100 psi) and high thermal efficiency not available with traditional foam insulation. Circle 272 . Insulfoam www.insulfoam.com

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

3169N

Thermal Barrier A combination of EcoBatt and EcoBlankett thermal barriers from Knauf are an advanced generation of sustainable glass wool insulation products. Both are non-combustible and also reduce unwanted outside ambient noise and limit sound transmission between rooms. Made using formaldehyde-free ECOSE binder technology from wool, recycled glass bottles and sand, the products are soft and safe to handle in application. Circle 271 . Knauf www.knaufinsulation.se

RUSH UNIVERSITY Chicago, Ill. At the Orthopedic Ambulatory Building at Rush University Medical Center. Perkins + Will specified CENTRIA's Formawall Dimension Series panel system as well as the company's Formavue window system to help the facility meet LEED gold requirements. Not only did the cladding system deliver the aesthetic value required, the wall system also provides thermal efficiency and moisture control in a single panelized system which simplified and expedited construction. CENTRIA, Greenbuild booth: 4182N.

SIPS: A SIMPLE PATH TO NET ZERO ENERGY

A high-performance building envelope is crucial for reducing energy consumption. To help ensure tight exterior walls and roofs that have superior insulation, many design professionals favor structural insulated panels. SIPs, according to the manufacturer Insulfoam, can help reduce heating and cooling demands up to 60% over conventional construction and allow for installation of smaller HVAC systems. In conjunction with other energy-efficient building systems, SIPs can reduce energy loads to the point that it is feasible to generate all of a building’s power on site from renewable resources such as solar and wind. Ease of use is another reason to explore the technology, says the manufacturer.

14

NZB | OCTOBER 2012

SIPs install fast and eliminate the need for separate framing, insulation and sheathing work. SIPs are arguably one the best performing structural systems. Dept. of Energy tests showed that SIP construction is about 15 times more air tight than stick framing. Because SIPs are manufactured in a controlled environment and are delivered in large sizes, building with them requires significantly fewer joints to be sealed. Additionally, DOE found SIPs have a 47% higher whole-wall R-value than a typical stud wall. A 3.5-in.-thick core SIP, for example, had a wholewall R-value of 14.09 vs. 9.58 for 2 x 4 studs with fiberglass batt insulation. 3.5-in. SIPs even outperformed an “advanced framed” stick-built wall of 2 x 6s which had an R-value of 13.69.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

%8,/',1* (19(/23(

Code Cracker Meeting the most stringent U.S. Model Energy Codes, Wausau Window and Wall Systems 6250i-HRX curtain wall and window wall system provides enhanced condensation performance and low U-Factor, along with panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views. HRX wall combines energy efficiency with the recognized benefits of natural light and ventilation, using 4250-Z zero sightline operable insert windows. Wausau's aluminum systems are manufactured with a high percentage of recycled content and can be finished in a choice of 30,000 colors. Circle 270 .

Wausau www.wausauwindow.com LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

3142N

Triple Action Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Insulation Board, with R-Value of 5.0 per inch and no moisture absorption, is ideally suited for use as continuous insulation on the exterior of the wall framing. The C500 Building Wrap is an air barrier membrane used with XPS board to complete a simple and effective system. In warmer climates where moisture is a concern, an appropriate air barrier is RainDrop 3D Building Wrap with drainage channels to move moisture to the weeps. Circle 269 . GreenGuard www. green-guard.com

TD GARDEN Boston, Mass. Home to the Boston Celtics and Bruins, the Boston Garden, now TD Garden, needed a new roof after 16 years of operation. Approximately 156,000 sq. ft. of old roof, including related gutters and roof systems, was recycled where possible, including 113,000 sq. ft. of insulation. The 12-level barrel roof was replaced with 132,000 sq. ft. of Sarnafil 72 mil Rhinobond PVC roof membrane and nearly 24,000 sq. ft. of the manufacturer's Sikalastic liquid coating. Numerous improvements were integrated into the new design, such as self-adhered air/vapor barriers, and the company's EnergySmart white reflective roof membrane not only reduces energy usage for cooling, but helps mitigate he building's contribution to heat island effect in the city.

Sika Sarnafil usa.sarnafil.sika.com

1940S

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

15

BUILDING ENVELOPE

THE NET ZERO ENVELOPE

Editor's note: Nick Bagatelos is president of BISEMUSA, a California-based integrator of "powered" building envelopes. Following is a piece relating Bagatelos' experiences developing a BIPV curtain wall system.

The secret to constructing a net-zero building is planning energy reduction and efficiency options in advance and incorporating them during the design process to achieve cost-effective energy reduction. The next step is to accommodate energy generation into the design. Reducing energy consumption for the first 60% of the building is easy; the trick on a multi-story building is how to achieve that last 40% to reach net zero. The Net Zero Envelope (NZE) The Net Zero Envelope (NZE)—our integrated curtain is the solution for three-story to high-rise buildings, which wall—is the solution for low or high-rise buildings that do not have harvestable roof do not have enough harvestable roof areas for energy areas for energy generation. The NZE methodology and generation. The NZE system is robust and includes a variety of products and innovative technologies which maximize energy efficiency, energy generation and architectural flexibility. Specifically, NZE is a pre-wired, UL-approved, AAMA water/air-tested curtain wall system that can be tuned to meet building orientation and climate zone requirements for new construction. There is also a flexible Building Integrated Photovoltaic Retrofit Curtain Wall System for existing buildings. This cost-effective, lightweight grid system as well as the traditional BIPV curtain wall system incorporates a kit of parts that utilizes multiple products into a simple and accessible multi-trade solution that brings energy generation to the building and aids in the creation of a sustainable building envelope.

Applicable Products: w w w w w w w w w w

Guardian Low-E Glass – vision glass Spandrel Glass – conventional ACM Panels – conventional Guardian SunGuard PVGU powered by Pythagoras – vision glass Guardian SunGuard EC with Soladigm – "tunable" vision glass R20 Vision Glass DuPont Thin Film Photovoltaic – spandrel glass DOW Vacuum Insulated Panel – R39 Daylighting Options – 50 feet into space Vegetative Walls

Possible Options for Southwest Exposure: 1.

Use SunGuard EC in the vision areas on the south and west exposure to improve solar heat gain coefficient at times of the most sunlight, but allow maximum daylighting at times of less sunlight. This will allow for fine-tuning of the HVAC peak loads, and electrical usage for interior lighting. 2. Use photovoltaic panels in the spandrel areas on the south and west wall to generate maximum electricity during peak loads.

Possible Options for Northeast Exposure: 1.

Use SunGuard PVGU at vision areas to simultaneously generate electricity, optimize daylighting and radically reduce SHGC. 2. Incorporate Dow VIP into the vertical wall behind the thin-film photovoltaic panel to generate electricity and create an R35 wall. 3. Use daylighting options to bring sunlight 50 feet into the building during the long cold winters. —Nick Bagatelos, President, BISEM-USA

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

SOLAR DECATHLON Washington, DC At the U.S. Dept. of Energy's biannual Solar Decathlon, the 2011 team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign turned to Kolbe and its energy-efficient triple-pane glass Windquest EP vinyl windows. The windows come standard with insulating glass and Low-E coatings designed to achieve U-factors as low as 0.19. Based on their U-factor, more than 20,000 Kolbe products meet or exceed ENERGY STAR criteria for both the U.S. and Canada. These high performance vinyl windows allow a maximum air infiltration of only 0.01 cubic ft. per minute—30 times better than the industry standard.

Kolbe www.kolbe-kolbe.com

Photos: Jim Tetro/US DOE Solar Decathlon.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

NATURAL METAL AFFORDABILITY Weathered Steel ADVANTAGES: ■

No°sealants,°gaskets°or°butyl°tape°in°the° panel°joints, means°no°dirty°streaks°or°a° legacy°of°maintenance for°the°building° owner.

■

Panels°are°not°laminated°nor°a°composite— they°will°never°delaminate.

■

Dri-Design is a friend of the environment. The fact is, the production of an aluminum composite panel requires significantly more fossil fuel than we use in making a Dri-Design panel. Dri-Design panels are made with recycled content and are 100% recyclable. At Dri-Design we make panels the world can live with.

■

Fully°tested°to°exceed°ASTM°standards° and the°latest°AAMA°508-07°for°pressure° equalized rain-screens.°Miami-Dade° approved.

■

Available°in°any°anodized or Kynar°color° on°aluminum, plus VMZINC,°stainless° steel,°copper°and°titanium.

■

Interlocking°panel°design°makes°installation quick°and°easy.

■

Dri-Design°is°economical.°Our°highly° automated manufacturing°process°makes° panels°in°seconds.°

Iowa Western Community College – Arts Center addition Council Bluffs, IA Weathered Steel

Call 616.355.2970 | www.dri-design.com VISIT US AT GREENBUILD BOOTH 927S

CIRCLE 32

| LIGHTING |

MUSEUM OF CLEAN Pocatello, Idaho "King of Clean" Don Aslett wanted LED for the exterior lighting of his museum due to its eďŹƒciency and long life, and turned to RAB Lighting to supply ďŹ xtures. More than 84 RAB LED products, including the WPLED20s and ALED52s, were used to illuminate the grounds and buildings. The museum is projecting a $20,000 savings over ďŹ ve years compared to more conventional sources. RAB Lighting, Greenbuild booth: 433S.

Lighting Since lighting consumes as much as 27% of a building’s electrical energy, the strategy for realizing signiďŹ cant reductions in energy consumption requires more precision in the processes used when lighting is designed and selected. Rote approaches using generalized illuminance levels and simplistic rough ball-park calculations will result in more energy consumed, with no visibility of where improvements can be made. Further, controls strategies, when properly considered, are critical in creating a living lighting system that consumes only what’s needed, while delivering to occupants the light they need to perform the work in hand. One of the ďŹ rst areas of serious reconsideration is the selection of speciďŹ c illuminance levels. Where past practice applies a gross broadcast approach, distributing a prescribed task level through entire spaces,

18

NZB | OCTOBER 2012

a more precise approach can cut energy demand by more than 60%. The layering of illuminance levels, building up from a general minimal ambience, to task speciďŹ c focus, conserves energy by delivering only the light necessary at targeted surfaces. This does not mean creating cave-like environments. All room surfaces need to be addressed from the perspective of what is seen, and what is done at each. Often, applying a minimal general illumination level—10-15 footcandles (Fc)—requires directing light at perimeter walls to produce a heightened perception of brightness. Next, providing a task area with roughly 3x the surrounding level—30-45Fc—provides greater localized visibility and focus. Finally, a focusing light of 10x general illumination levels—100-150Fc—creates task focus that will enhance both visual performance and

energy saving simultaneously. This 1:3:10 layering provides local tasks greater illumination than conventional broadcast general illumination, while using the least amount of energy to attain the result. Studies have indicated that when illuminance levels are varied throughout a space, visual comfort and visual performance are enhanced together, while the light levels demanded by occupants is reduced, producing a bonus of an even lower energy appetite. While daylighting from windows appears an obvious solution to capturing free light energy, the opposite is actually a likely result. If daylight streaming in from a window wall produces a general illumination level of 150Fc at the perimeter of a space, but only 30Fc at work areas deeper inside the space, lighting energy will need to be

increased to increase the light delivered to occupants further from the windows. This is not to suggest that daylight be avoided. To the contrary, numerous studies have shown that natural light enhances the human experience of spaces, as well as visual performance. The idea of spaces without windows, regardless of how perfect the artiďŹ cial system is in balance, is hardly attractive. That said, properly controlled daylighting, coupled with well-designed artiďŹ cial lighting can deliver a signiďŹ cant reduction in energy demand. To fully realize this, natural light and artiďŹ cial light must be considered complimentary components of an overall lighting scheme by the entire design team, and not just an architectural feature dictated to serve a façade design.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

Do you know where your energy dollars are being spent?

Uncover the hidden energy culprits within your building and start saving today! Powerlink™ Measurement and Verification Panelboards (MVP) by Schneider Electric™ allow you to more accurately and precisely monitor energy use.

The results? Improve your energy conservation efforts and save money! Achieve energy code compliance, meet designated mandates, obtain LEED® certification points, and contribute to other vital sustainability efforts with MVP.

Integral branch circuit metering allows you to: Monitor by plug load, circuit, zone, space, or complete lighting system.

Review data through existing building management software,or specialized

Can integrate with your existing building management software, or our specialized MVP software.

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Implement energy saving methods to reduce energy costs. Achieve greater savings month over month and year over year, while

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How to save while you measure and to register for a chance to win an Apple® iPad® 2, please visit www.SEreply.com and enter key code u649v. ©2012 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Schneider Electric, Powerlink, and Make the most of your energy are trademarks owned by Schneider Electric Industries SAS or its affiliated companies. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. • www.schneider-electric.com/us • 998-6616_US

CIRCLE 33

SM

High Density LEDs

Styk

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Pyxis

High Density LEDs 路 Reduced Pixelization 路 Exceeds 85 lumens/watt 路 Up to 9000 delivered lumens

CIRCLE 34

LIGHTING

One Singular Illumination

LAKELAND COLLEGE Kirtland, Ohio The Holden University Center in Lakeland College was designed to use projectors, video monitors and smart screens throughout the facility, so the school wanted to provide the ability to lower the foot candle level on an as-needed basis. Lithonia's RT series of LED troer-style ďŹ xtures, which include built in dimming controls, solved the institution's need for integrated A/V-dimming control while also providing an energy eďŹƒcient solution that will also help reduce maintenance issues due to LED's long life. Lithonia, Greenbuild booth: 2121S.

The One LV is a new linear lighting product designed to make installation in complex spaces easier and more discrete. The LED ďŹ xture from USAI Lighting measures 5/8-in. high x 1-in. wide, and in lengths ranging from 6 in. to 4 ft. The dovetail connection system allows installers to connect appropriate lengths on the oor so entire sections can be installed at one time. Color temperature options include 2700K, 3000K and 3500K, with high-output LEDs producing more than 300 lumens per foot, and multiple dimming and non-dimming remote power supplies are available. Circle 268 USAI Lighting www.usaillumination.com

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

2230S

Maximum Luminosity The MLED Series of LED oodlights includes a 40-LED, 5,500 lumen unit and an 80-LED ďŹ xture producing 11,000 lumens, both with a color temperature of 4800K and a color-rendering index of 76. These Hubbell Outdoor Lighting luminaires both feature precision optics in a choice of narrow, medium and wide NEMA distribution patterns, in a housing that isolates the LED driver from the light engine and heat sink, so the LEDs can operate at peak performance. Circle 267 Hubbell Outdoor Lighting www.hubbelloutdoor.com

3779N

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

IS LED THE TICKET TO ZEB?

LEDs have many beneďŹ ts over most conventional light sources, notably generating signiďŹ cantly more light per watt and longer life than incandescent or compact uorescent, without the environmental impact of mercury. These latter sources also consume more energy making heat than they do making light. That said, linear T8 and T5 lamps are also highly eďŹƒcient making them an attractive source that LEDs are not yet ready to displace completely. However, in designs looking to tailor light more precisely, even the best linear uorescent lamp is overkill, as LEDs provide a greater potential for surgically precise illumination; use 80% to 90% less energy to generate the same light; oer similar pointsource eect; and direct heat away from the light generated, reducing air conditioning loads.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

Suspended Animation Resembling a collection of oversized raindrops suspended in mid-air, the Droplet luminaire from Artemide is available in one- or three-lamp ceiling-mounted designs (shown here), as well as a suspended threelamp model. The ďŹ xtures can be speciďŹ ed with 35W LEDs, with a painted die-cast aluminum reector providing indirect illumination. Circle 266 Artemide www.artemide.us

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

21

LIGHTING

EďŹƒciency Upgrade in Aisle Three Brookshire Brothers, a Houston-area supermarket chain, will be saving more than $220,000 annually after upgrading linear uorescent ďŹ xtures across 69 of its stores. The project involved replacing 32W lamps with 28W T8s from GE Lighting, and replacing existing ballasts with the company’s UltraMax electronic ballasts where needed. Additionally, ďŹ ve stores’ parking lots have been retroďŹ tted with GE’s Evolve LED Area Lights, and refrigerated display cases in four locations now feature GE’s Immersion RV40 LED lighting improve illumination and reduce maintenance needs. Circle 265 GE Lighting Solutions www.g gelightingsolutions.com

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

2301S

MAYNARD H. JACKSON TERMINAL Atlanta HartsďŹ eld-Jackson Int'l. Airport The new terminal features 12 new gates, eight security checkpoints – and a catalog’s worth of high-eďŹƒciency custom and standard lighting products from Acuity Brands. Mark Architectural Lighting’s custom T5 and T8 Slot 6 ďŹ xtures are installed throughout common spaces of the LEED Silver facility, with Gotham luminaires accenting the columns. Throughout, control systems from Synergy and Lighting Control & Design reduce light levels when gate occupancy is low.

SOLVING TODAY’S PROBLEMS TOMORROW

In the eort to attain very high levels of eďŹƒciency, there may be points or spaces where current technologies simply cannot produce the needed results. This can be addressed in two ways. First, it can be accepted as an exception within the design and compensated for elsewhere. Second, the problem can be investigated for the potential for future developments that might resolve the deďŹ ciency, putting in place a stepping stone solution to be updated at some point in the future.

Energy-EďŹƒcient Alternative to MR-16s The 21-watt Impulse luminaire delivers a higher lumen output than a 50W MR16 ďŹ xture, while using less than half the power. The line-voltage track ďŹ xture delivers between 950 lm and 1030 lm, depending on the selected color temperature (2700K, 3000K or 4000K), and is oered with either spot or ood beam spreads. Finish options include brushed nickel, dark bronze and white, and units can be ordered with a framing projector for precise focus or an adjustable barn-door louver for optimal glare control. Circle 264 WAC Lighting www.waclighting.com

22

NZB | OCTOBER 2012

In lighting, the current oering of LED products range from 35 to 120 lumens per watt eďŹƒcacy. This is expected to increase to a range of between 65 to 160 lumens per watt, at a cost of less than 50% of today’s market, within the next decade. By overlaying this onto a current design problem, it can be assessed whether the issue is with current technology limitations, or with a more unavoidable design challenge. If the projected future performance resolves the issue in hand, use of a modular light source that can be replaced at some future date, or a replaceable ďŹ xture or component, that can be scheduled for replacement, may be a viable option.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

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Turning Bridges Into Art “Agua Luces,” or “water lights,” is a Tampa, Fla., project to turn the nine bridges crossing the city’s Hillsborough River into a public art display, with lighting designs intended to give each bridge its own personality. Five of the bridge installations are now in place, with lighting plans created by Chicago-based Tracey Dear, whose Dear Productions also has illuminated Chicago’s bridges. He specified Ilumipanel and Ilumiline LED fixtures from Iluminarc to create the dynamic designs, with colors that will shift during each evening’s display. Circle 263 . Iluminarc www.iluminarc.com

Accessories Make the Fixture Nora Lighting has added a range of accessories to increase the functionality of its LED Lightbar fixture. A diffuser lens available in five lengths attaches easily, without increasing the fixture’s depth or width, to soften and diffuse illumination. An in-line motion sensor activates when a warm, moving object is detected within 6 ft., and the light can be set to remain on from 10 seconds to 12 minutes. And the in-line dimmer adds dimming control where wall control isn’t possible – users simply tap to turn the fixture on or off, or hold to dim. Both the dimmer and motion sensor can be attached to the lightbar or mounted remotely. Circle 262 . Nora Lighting www.noralighting.com

DALZIEL BUILDING GARAGE Oakland, Calif. Kenall's TekDek luminaire is especially designed for parking structures, in this case illuminating the Dalziel Building garage in Oakland. Delivering 106 lm. per watt, the efficacious fixture can be paired with the company's SmartSense control system which pairs with light and motion sensors for a bottom-line payback that can be realized as soon as 14 months. Kenall, Greenbuild booth: 313S.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

23

LIGHTING

It Starts at Home

Customizeable Performance

Prizm sits on a desk, table, or countertop, but it stays wirelessly connected to your light switches, thermostats, door locks, and security sensors. Built with Z-Wave technology at its core, Prizm oers full support for hundreds of wireless home control devices available from some of the world’s leading manufacturers. Within minutes of turning on Prizm for the ďŹ rst time, users are able to take advantage of advanced features like lighting scenes, climate control,energy management, and remote monitoring. Featuring a sleek tabletop design, Prizm is meant to be put on display. Equipped with a ďŹ ve inch touchscreen display, users have instant access to the date, time, and local weather information. But where Prizm really excels is in allowing users to quickly and eďŹƒciently conďŹ gure their Z-Wave home network without the use of a PC or complicated software. Circle 261

The Navion exterior luminaire’s lumen output and energy use can be customized to meet almost any area’s exact lighting needs, eliminating uplight, glare and over-lit hot spots in a range of outdoor applications. The Cooper Lighting ďŹ xtures can be ordered in 10 optical packages, with size and construction scaled to speciďŹ c lumen oerings, from 3600 lm to 22,000 lm. and are appropriate for new construction or as retroďŹ ts. For easier installation and maintenance, the housing is designed to ďŹ t lineman’s gloves and can be put into service with simple tools. Circle 260 Cooper Lighting www.cooperlighting.com

LOCATE AT GREENBUILD

BOOTH NUMBER

is modular. is scalable. is

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CIRCLE 25

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www.tekaillumination.com CIRCLE 26

1437S

LIGHTING

LEE TOYOTA/SCION Topsham, Maine

WHEN IT CAME TO ILLUMINATING THE VEHICLE DISPLAY LOT, THIS MEANT LOOKING AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL METAL-HALIDE FIXTURES TO SHOW OFF THE ROWS OF HIGH-EFFICIENCY AUTOMOBILES.

DLR Group Photo ŠJames Steinkamp

Adam Lee, the owner of a new Toyota/Scion dealership in Topsham, Maine, wanted his architect Frank Cushing of F.A. Cushing, Inc., to take a “green approachâ€? to all aspects the facility’s design. When it came to illuminating the vehicle display lot, this meant looking at something dierent than traditional metal-halide ďŹ xtures to show o the rows of high-eďŹƒciency automobiles. Instead, Cushing opted for the high-brightness, 90-LED Cimmaron ďŹ xture from Spaulding Lighting, mounted at 26 ft. With a color temperature of 5000K, the units have a rated eďŹƒcacy of 71 lumens per watt and a color rendering index of 76. They’re also available in a 20,000-lumen package for higher mounting heights. Visit www.spauldinglighting.com.

There is no better way to daylight space! Unsurpassed, Museum-quality TM

Daylight , free of glare and shadows. Optimum control of thermal and solar. Energy savings. The most highly insulating fenestration in the world. Superior structural integrity and vandal resistance.

Control – With Class Renoir II dimmers and fan-speed controls from Leviton pair performance and panache and feature a thin-proďŹ le design suitable for high-end ballrooms, restaurants and other commercial settings. The three models include preset slides with either a thin or standard heat sink, and a rotary control with a standard heat sink. All oer multi-voltage, 120-277 VAC operation for installations requiring up to ďŹ ve-way control operation. Circle 259

Now you can analyze the behavior of daylight within any space during the design phase. Site-specific, 3D computer simulation accurately portrays the impact of size, type and placement of Kalwall translucent skylights, windows or wall systems. Bill Lempke Photo Fanning Howey Associates, Inc.

Leviton www.leviton.com

with w No

Kalwall Corporation kalwall.com 800-258-9777 (N. America) Follow us on facebook.com/Kalwall 1W`QZS "

CIRCLE 27

| POWER |

LIGHTOLIER MFG. PLANT Fall River, Mass.

On-Site Power On-site power generation isn’t a new concept – hospitals, schools and shopping malls, among other facilities, long have had diesel or natural gas generators to provide backup electricity during utility outages. But now owners and facility managers are looking at photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, fuel cells –and even traditional generators–as part of larger energy-management and green-marketing strategies. In utility lingo, these installations are called “distributed generationâ€? or “distributed energy resources,â€? and they’re becoming more important in power-company eorts to both reduce their peak-period capacity requirements and, in some cases, balance out brief system imbalances. Thanks to increasingly sophisticated transmission and distribution controls–that “smart gridâ€? you’ve been hearing so much

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

about–electricity wholesalers soon will be seeking to aggregate the output of these systems to sell in the same markets now supplied by utility-scale power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled last year that the electricity saved through curtailed use in demand-side management programs could be bundled and sold in electricity markets, so it may not be long before these same regulators start looking at distributed power sources. The challenge for utilities in integrating alternative resources is the intermittent nature of these supplies. Pike Research sees the market for equipment that helps bring these clean technologies into the energy marketplace growing to $13 billion worldwide by 2018. The biggest slice of that pricey pie will go toward developing microgrids. As their

As part of it corporate sustainability eorts Philips decided to install a 2MW turbine at its Fall River facility. The massive turbine provides 65% of the facility's power needs. The right conditions for wind power are not a given and the company did a two-year environmental study before committing to the technology. Energy savings from the decision, however, have allowed to company to shift production from operations in Mexico and Canada back to this plant in the United States. Philips, Greenbuild booth: 3675S.

name implies, these are small, independent distribution systems that might serve a college campus or military base, running either in parallel with the local utility’s distribution system or completely independently. The U.S. Army is even working to develop portable microgrid systems that would incorporate wind and solar generating equipment, along with a storage battery, that could pack into two 50-lb. cases to power the laptops and communications gear a remote patrol might require. Pike sees worldwide microgrid-related revenues reaching $17.3 billion by 2017, with North America representing the best overall market. “Several new players have recently entered the microgrid market,� says Pike Research senior analyst Peter Asmus. “Most notably, ABB and Boeing, the veteran defense contractor that is engaging with

Siemens in a strategic alliance, as well as San Diego Gas & Electric.â€? As microgrids advance, their performance might be graded by the recently formed Perfect Power Institute (PPI), founded as an oshoot of the smart grid-focused Galvin Electricity Initiative in 2011. PPI is in the process of developing what it’s calling the Perfect Power Seal of Approval, working with Underwriters Laboratory among other partners. Developers are now working on the ďŹ rst version of this standards-based certiďŹ cation, focused on microgrid installations. Microgrids have clear system boundaries, and their assets are privately held, making it easier for evaluators to judge a single system’s performance. However, the plan is to extend this certiďŹ cation to utility-scale distribution and transmission networks.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

CREE CR SERIES TROFFERS: Performance: 90 0 CR CRI at 90 LPW standard, 100 LPW and 110 LPW options. Versatile: Three form factors; 200 000 0-5000 lumens and 3000, 3500 & 4000 CCT available. Dimmable: Tw wo-wire step dimm mming to 50% standard, 0-10 V dimming to 5% optional. Longg life: Models desi s gned for lifetimes of at least 50,000 and 75,000 hours.

CR24: C R24 24: 4: 2’X4’ 2 X4 2’ X ’

C CR CR22: 22 2: 2’X2 2 2’X2’ ’X2’

CR14: CR R114 4: 1’X4’ 1X 1’ X4 4’

WHEN YOU CHOOSE CREE CR SERIES LED TROFFERS

IT’S PAYBACK TIME.

TM

Not just payback time—short payback time. Designed for affordability, the revolutionary CR Series architectural troffers deliver savings up front and immediate to two-year payback for your customers when compared to architectural fluorescents. Constructed for easy retrofit and installation, Cree CR Series troffers are powered by Cree TrueWhite® Technology to deliver the highest performance, light quality and fixtureto-fixture consistency. The result is beautiful light with no compromise.

Become an LED revolutionary! Available now with Lutron EcoSystem® embedded controls technology, visit cree.com/Lutron to accelerate your payback with record-setting performance and assured compatibility.

CIRCLE 35

OUR GLASS ISN’T DESIGNED FOR BUILDINGS. IT’S DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE. Only SageGlass® allows you to electronically tint your windows to dynamically control sunlight, glare and temperature. It’s cooler. It’s more energy efficient. And it opens up a new world of possibilities for peoplecentric spaces.

Come see SageGlass in action at GreenBuild booth 4353N

Visit sageglass.com or call 877.724.3325 to learn more about this brilliant glass.

CIRCLE 36

POWER

Community Support

SPRECHEN SIE SOLAR? The German solar-integrator ďŹ rm Gehrlicher Solar has entered the U.S. market with two turnkey commercial rooftop projects in Edison, N.J., producing up to 1.35 MW at peak. These two installations included 5,520 solar modules and seven inverters over a total of 205,000 sq. ft. IKEA has recently announced that the company will be leading the work on several of its stores across the U.S. The company is a solar system integrator as well as a wholesaler of its own GehrTec product line. www.gehrlicher.us

The PureWave Community Energy Storage System from S&C Electric supplies 25 kW of electricity for one, two or three hours – capacity enough to serve several homes or small businesses for the duration of most typical utility-grid outages. Buried, distributed batteries help ensure a small footprint that doesn’t change if the system is scaled up, and units can be networked using the manufacturer’s IntelliTeam distributed energy management system to act as a single distributed power plant. The devices also can be used to help integrate community-based renewable generation resources. Circle 258 S&C Electric www.sandc.com

Modular Design The CM-60 and CM-75 cogeneration modules from Tecogen feature ultra-low emissions in a modular design prepackaged with the engine generator, heatrecovery systems, electrical switchgear and a modem for remote monitoring and data-logging. Overall, combined heat and power eďŹƒciencies of the 60 kW and 75 kW systems can reach up to 90%. The inductiontype generators oer a user-friendly way to interconnect in parallel to the utility grid with minimal added requirements. Circle 257 Tecogen www.tecogen.com

Rack ‘Em Ecolibrium Solar’s Ecofoot 2 at-roof mounting system for mounting solar panels on ballasted, lowslope roofs speeds installation and meets 120-mph wind-load requirements – without requiring any roof penetrations. The product builds on features from the original Ecofoot oering, which helped installers speed through a 500-panel project at a Clarion hotel in El Centro, Calif., in just two days. The updated version adds integrated wire-management and grounding features to reduce the need for added hardware. Circle 256 Ecolibrium Solar www.ecolibriumsolar.com

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

THE DETAILS Brooklyn, New York A mixed-use residential development in the heart of Brooklyn, the building was designed for true net-zero operation, and it’s said to be the ďŹ rst of its kind in New York City. Designed and developed by Voltaic Solaire as a bed and breakfast with an attached residence and retail, it incorporates a rooftop deck sheltered by a solarpanel-topped pergola and a partially solar-skinned exterior wall. The solar panels, from Sharp and Samsung, produce electricity along with supporting a solarthermal system creating up to 140,000 BTU. www.voltaicsolaire.com

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

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POWER

Net-Zero Car Charging Environmentally conscious electric vehicle owners don’t have to worry where the power ďŹ lling their batteries comes from with the new Duo Gard Solar PV Canopy Systems. Designed to supply solar-generated electricity to up to four cars, these charging systems are available in standard sloped- and ridge-roof styles. The structures are conďŹ gured on a per-project basis, with all wiring built into the framing channels. The standard 45-ft. designs can be expanded to support additional charging stations. Circle 255 Duo Gard www.duo-g gard.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

521S

BUILDING-INTEGRATED CHALLENGES

A QUIETER WIND OPTION You simply can’t get to a net-zero building without incorporating some form of on-site-power generation. While rooftop or ground-mounted solar arrays are an obvious option, architects, for years, have longed for more elegant solutions. Buildingintegrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, incorporated into a building’s actual structure, are the ultimate goal. Some of these products fall into a category experts call “building applied photovoltaicsâ€? (BAPV), including the thin-ďŹ lm PV products oered by a number of rooďŹ ng manufacturers. These options are applied on top of traditional roofs, including membrane, built-up and metal roofs. Thin-ďŹ lm technology is less eďŹƒcient than traditional crystalline-silicon (c-Si) panels, but it’s also less expensive to produce. However, the huge drop in panel prices driven by Chinese competition has shifted this economic argument, and thin-ďŹ lm companies are declaring bankruptcy—or closing down operations altogether. The solar-focused research ďŹ rm GTM Research issued a thin-ďŹ lm report in April that sees a future for the technology, but only with a boost in performance and the ability to keep expensive manufacturing facilities operating at full capacity. The good news is that traditional, and more eďŹƒcient, c-Si panels are becoming cost-competitive with grid-supplied electricity, even without subsidies in many markets. At this point, installation is often the biggest cost concern, but new attachment strategies (such as Ecolibrium’s new Ecofoot 2 mounting equipment) are minimizing roof-penetration requirements and making wire-management easier. And true building integration is moving forward in ďŹ ts and starts. For example, Pythagoras Solar and curtain wall leader Guardian Glass have teamed up to manufacture and market insulated glazing units with PV receivers between the panes. And, recognizing that solar energy can be captured as heat, as well as light, Canadian solar-heating manufacturer Enerconcept Technologies soon will introduce the Lubi, an exteriormounted solar-heat collector that could oset building-heating requirements.

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

Low RPMs and a helical design mean UGE 4K vertical wind turbines from Urban Green Energy are virtually silent, with minimal vibration, so they can be mounted in locations that might not be appropriate for standard models. Plus, a patent-pending dual-axis approach helps eliminate worries of premature bearing failure. The company also manufactures the Sanya hybrid streetlight, which combines a smaller turbine with pole-mounted photovoltaics to create a completely o-grid lighting solution. www.urbangreenenergy.com

Building On Experience Hartford, Conn.-based St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center has had a 200 kW UTC Power fuel cell operating on its main campus for several years, and now it has added new-generation, 400 kW PureCell systems to its main campus and Mount Sinai campus for an additional 800 kW of CO2-free power. The natural gas fuel cells provide electrical eďŹƒciency of 42%, but when waste heat is captured and used to support heating and chilling loads – as it is by St. Francis – overall system eďŹƒciency rises up to 90%. Circle 254 UTC Power www.utcpower.com p

3447N

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BOOTH NUMBER

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

POWER

Cogen In A New Light Solar hybrid receivers from Cogenra provide an emissions-free cogeneration option by combining photovoltaic electricity generation with solar thermal heat collection, giving owners a payback period that can be less than ďŹ ve years. The system tracks the sun to maximize solar exposure, making use of up to 75% of total solar energy (versus the 15% captured by many photovoltaiconly products). Captured heat (as hot water) can be used for chiller operations or industrial processes. Circle 253 Cogenra www.cog genra.com

1438S

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BOOTH NUMBER

LIGHTING AS COMMUNICATION

TRADITIONAL C-SI PANELS ARE BECOMING COST COMPETITIVE WITH GRID-SUPPLIED ELECTRICITY, EVEN WITHOUT SUBSIDIES IN MANY MARKETS. NEW ATTACHMENT STRATEGIES ARE HELPING TO MINIMIZE ROOF PENETRATIONS AND MAKE WIRE MANAGEMENT EASIER.

Fueling Flexibility A new 1 MW fuel-cell system installed on the Torrance, Calif., campus of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. will provide peak and midpeak power and supply hot water and space heating to several of the facility’s buildings. The CLEARgen system from Ballard will use hydrogen generated using landďŹ ll gas to provide electricity to two oďŹƒce buildings, a data center and the employee ďŹ tness center. Waste heat will provide both hot water and space heating to one of those oďŹƒce buildings and the ďŹ tness center. Circle 252 Ballard www.ballard.com

TEXAS STADIUM LEEDS THE WAY Home of the North Texas Mean Green, the new Apogee Stadium on the campus of the University of North Texas in Denton certainly lives up to its team’s moniker – it’s the ďŹ rst new-construction college football stadium to achieve LEED Platinum certiďŹ cation. The 30,000-plus-seat facility features all the perks, including luxury suites and a corporate deck, but it also incorporates three wind turbines engineered and installed by Cascade Renewable Energy that generate up to 300 kW to oset electricity needs. Apogee Stadium is now the ďŹ rst college stadium to incorporate onsite wind generation. Visit www. cascaderenewableenergy.com

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OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

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| HVAC |

DENVER POLICE CRIME LAB Denver, Colo. The Denver Police Crime Lab will be constructed with the goal of achieving LEED CertiďŹ cation through sustainable construction approaches recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. The building design has addressed energy savings, water eďŹƒciency, CO 2 emission reduction, and improved indoor air quality.

HVAC Which of the following can an energy recovery ventilator not do? A.) Pre-heat and cool the ventilation air B.) Reduce the size of HVAC fans and ductwork C.) Pre-humidify and dehumidify the ventilation air D.) Reduce the size of heating and cooling capacity required E.) Pre-ďŹ lter ventilation air For those who are not mechanical engineers, there is no shame in not knowing the answer. But for architects, consultants and building owners intent on delivering zero-energy buildings, understanding

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

HVAC technologies that can have a signiďŹ cant impact on a facility’s operational costs is critical. As more buildings and commercial projects try to gain sustainability, today’s HVAC systems—heating, ventilation and air conditioning— also help lower a building’s carbon footprint, while improving energy eďŹƒciency. According to sustainability author and LEED consultant Jerry Yudleson, the focus of the green building industry will continue its switch from new building design and construction to greening existing buildings. He points out that one of the fastest-growing elements of the USGBC's LEED rating system, at least for the past two years, has been LEED for Existing

Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM). With cumulative oor area in certiďŹ ed projects now greater than new construction, he expects this trend to pick up in 2012. Of course, a technology that lends itself well to retroďŹ ts is HVAC, particularly given a general degree of HVAC “ineďŹƒciencyâ€? in the bulk of the nation's building stock. In fact, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, rooftop units are used in nearly half of all cooling conditioned commercial oor space in the United States. Enhancements to new and existing packaged rooftop units, however, could oer opportunities for energy savings and, more importantly, business development.

Denver Police Crime Lab Trautman & Shreve, a subsidiary of EMCOR, Inc., is responsible for installing all the mechanical systems in the new Denver Police Crime Lab, a state-of-the-art, 60,000-square-foot building that will replace an existing facility; included will be an underground connection to the existing police building and three levels of laboratory and oďŹƒce space. This leading-edge laboratory requires highly sophisticated systems with requirements ranging from high-eďŹƒciency particulate air ďŹ lters for the ďŹ ring range and unique humidity controls, to special exhaust systems and special lab gas piping. Trautman & Shreve’s scope of work will include the installation of all heating and cooling, plumbing, specialty gases, chilled and heating water systems, and indoor air-handling units. Photo: Š 2012 Jackie Shumaker/Trautman Shreve

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CIRCLE 37

CIRCLE 38

HVAC

Updated VRF

PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS Pittsburgh, Pa. The conservatory recently opened its new Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) building. More than 10 HVAC manufacturers, including Sensible Equipment's Tricoil's energy recovery system, played a charitable role in partially donating equipment that contributed to the facility's net-zero energy goal. As the centerpiece of a $23.5-million expansion, the CSL will be the largest building in operation pursuing Living Building status in the United States. Two Pittsburgh ďŹ rms, The Design Alliance Architects, and MEP consulting engineering company CJL Engineering, spearheaded the net-zero energy strategy incorporating energy recovery, geothermal, natural ventilation, solar, and vertical axis wind turbines, all resulting in minimal input from municipal water and power utilities.

The R2-Series and Y-Series commercial Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) zoning systems now oer industry-leading eďŹƒciencies and improved operational parameters that feature complete zone control, exibility and straightforward installation. Both systems take advantage of Mitsubishi Electric’s INVERTERdriven compressor technology and use intelligent controls for superior operation. Also being introduced is the ďŹ rst 5-ton single-phase unit in the market, the PUMY-P60TKMU oers high-eďŹƒciency and full-functionality. Circle 251

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating www.mehvac.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

3604N

Fueling Flexibility The ďŹ rst geothermal heat pump ever certiďŹ ed by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to exceed 40 EER at ground-loop (GLHP) conditions, ClimateMaster announces the Trilogy 40 series, which utilizes variable speed technology to provide a wide range of heating and cooling capacities, with the ability to perfectly match loads to as low as 30% of maximum. In addition, patent-pending Q-Mode technology produces year-round domestic hot water on demand, even when space conditioning is not required. The Trilogy 40 Q-Mode series is the outcome of a ďŹ ve-year collaboration between ClimateMaster and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which was sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Program. Based on ďŹ eld tests and analysis by ORNL, the Trilogy 40 Q-Mode can save 55–65% of annual energy use and cost for space conditioning and water heating in residential applications versus new minimum eďŹƒciency (SEER 13) conventional systems and 30% to 35% vs. current state-of-the-art, two-stage geothermal heat pumps. Circle 250 ClimateMaster www.climatemaster.com.

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BOOTH NUMBER

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

3047N

ROMEOVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Romeoville, Ill. Romeoville High School, southwest of Chicago, faced spiraling energy costs and an outdated cooling system. The 300,000-sq.-ft. building needed a more eďŹƒcient cooling system. The school worked with Kenneth J. Kogut & Assocs. and chiller manufacturer Trane to design and oversee the installation of an energy storage system. The high school’s old 350-ton chiller was replaced with a 200ton, air-cooled unit and CALMAC's IceBank ice-based thermal energy storage (TES) system which provides 900 ton-hours of ice storage capacity to the chiller. Known as hybrid cooling, the TES was conďŹ gured to operate in a partial storage mode where it combines the added feature of a thermal battery to a smaller, right-sized chiller. This feature provides redundancy and resiliency while reducing cooling costs. CALMAC,

Greenbuild booth: 506S.

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

35

HVAC

Tankless EďŹƒciency Rinnai’s condensing Ultra Series tankless water heaters are designed to meet the needs of commercial structures and include additional features such as a built-in recirculation program that cycles an external pump at pre-set intervals and temperatures to maximize eďŹƒciency and comfort. Ultra Series condensing water heating technology incorporates two innovative heat exchangers to achieve optimum water-heating value from every cubic foot of fuel. The process delivers eďŹƒciency of up to a 0.96 Energy Factor, which translates to signiďŹ cant savings compared to traditional water heaters. Circle 249 Rinnai www.rinnai.us

AHRI SHIPPING RESULTS

A reliable indicator of how the HVAC market is faring, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute monthly heating and cooling equipment data report has released to mixed results for the month of June. On the positive side, U.S. shipments of commercial gas storage water heaters increased 14.7% — from 7,446 units in June 2011 to 8,542. U.S. shipments of gas warm air furnaces increased 2.8%, from 197,285 units to 202,727 units. On the negative side, U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps totaled 857,362 in June 2012, down 3.6% from 889,014 units shipped in 2011. U.S. shipments of air conditioners decreased 0.9%, to 633,652, down from 639,182 units shipped in 2011. In the aftermath of one of the country’s hottest and most dry summers in recent history, let’s see how those numbers play out when AHRI releases its ďŹ gures for July and August. For more information, visit www.ahrinet.org.

EFFICIENT SYSTEMS INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) System Design Process is a comprehensive approach to HVACR system design for both residential and commercial buildings, allowing for the installation and maintenance of highly eďŹƒcient systems that keep occupants both comfortable and healthy. Following the ACCA system design process is the only way to ensure that an installation is completed in accordance with the HVAC Quality Installation SpeciďŹ cation, and to meet the requirements of most building codes — while ensuring owner happiness and energy eďŹƒciency. ACCA has developed the materials an HVAC contractor needs in order to properly design and size an HVAC system. Manuals J8, D, and S are required by code in most jurisdictions. ACCA also has developed ANSI standards for installation, maintenance and cleaning of HVAC equipment and for home performance evaluation available for free. For more information, visit www.acca.org.

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY – A.A. LEMIEUX LIBRARY Seattle, Wash. Seattle University’s $55 million project includes the construction of a new three-story, 33,000sq. ft. teaching, learning and research center addition and the renovation of the university’s 92,700-sq. ft., 45-year-old A.A. Lemieux library.

BACnet Building Controller The MACH-ProZone is small, durable and packed with exibility, and is a fully programmable BACnet Building Controller (B-BC) with highly scalable I/O in a very small footprint. Ideal for a wide range of applications that include small to mid-sized rooftop and heat pump applications, and small mechanical room applications. The controller features up to eight universal inputs and up to eight universal outputs with jumper selectable TRIAC conďŹ guration. The MACH-ProZone ships standard with removable connectors and support for eight SMART-Sensors. Circle 248 Reliable Controls www.reliablecontrols.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

3056N

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

HVAC

Textile Ducting The SkeleCore FTS (Fabric Tensioning System) stands alone as the only textile ducting/diuser system that provides cylindrical tensioning to keep the fabric round and taut at all times. SkeleCore FTS maintains the same appearance with or without any air pressure in the fabric duct. It is ideal when higher aesthetic value is desired, when cycling is frequent, or when systems are designed with variable air volume. It eliminates disruptive tendencies such as motion and noise upon AHU startup, especially in hard start applications. Circle 247 DuctSox www.ductsox.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

2601S

Under Floor Ventilation Provides Comfort at Seattle U The centerpiece of a highly successful university capital campaign, the complex is now called The Lemieux Library & McGoldrick Learning Commons and has since become a state-of-the-art role model in eďŹƒciency and boasts a LEED gold certiďŹ cation. While eďŹƒcient technology such as chilled-beam technology helped rack up nine LEED HVAC credits, the addition's energy eďŹƒciency and tight temperature control tolerances are achieved with the new concept of fabric ductwork inside the under oor air distribution (UFAD) called UnderFloorSox (UFSox), manufactured by DuctSox Corp. UFAD has resurged recently after engineers have found solutions to reoccurring challenges of plenum pressurization and thermal decay in perimeter and high heat or cooling load areas near windows. Pressurization and thermal decay issues were minimized at the university by the 24 fabric duct runs per oor. LEED analysis from consulting engineering ďŹ rm, CDi Engineers, Lynnwood, Wash., found that the UFAD's inherent energy-saving concept would generate nine credits and save the university approximately 32% in operational energy costs.

Rebirth of a Stone Mill Baltimore’s historic Union Mill has been restored into a mixeduse complex. Energy investments paid o handsomely when the developer received a cash rebate from the local utility for $164,258. The overall performance was driven by the synergies between the R2-Series Variable Refrigerant Flow zoning system from Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating, and high-performance make-up air, energy recovery ventilation, premium-performance double-pane low-E windows and thermal mass.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

HISTORIC UNION MILL Baltimore, Md. Built in 1866, historic Union Mill has been restored into a vibrant mixed-use complex of apartments and oďŹƒce space. The outdoor units of the Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system do not interfere with the historic structure of the mill and comply with noise requirements.

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

37

| WATER |

URBAN OUTFITTERS Corporate HQ, Philadelphia

Water Management With extreme heat and near drought conditions in the United States this past summer, water conservation became the topic of discussion for facility managers, architects and specifying engineers alike. And it should’ve been. There is increased concern among Americans that drought conditions go hand in hand with worries about water shortages. According to a recent ORC International survey conducted for the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute (CSI), nearly two thirds (64%) of Americans are “very concerned” about the prospect of “possible shortages of safe drinking water” due to drought and diversion for energy production. Three out of four Americans believe that we need to start focusing more on alternative energy sources and more efficient systems to manage daily

38

NZB | OCTOBER 2012

water use better. “Many concerns about the nation’s ground-water resources involve questions about their future sustainability. The sustainability of ground-water resources is a function of many factors, including depletion of ground-water storage, reductions in stream flow, potential loss of wetland and riparian ecosystems, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and changes in ground-water quality,” says Charles G. Groat, director of the U.S. Geological Survey. So the question we must ask ourselves is: How do we manage and conserve water more efficiently? Sustainable design through plumbing can be defined through WaterSense—water saving, low-flow bathroom and fixtures— water heating units, rainwater harvesting systems and high-efficiency pumps and

To demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency, Urban Outfitters showcased their MEP systems as a central part of the building's decor which is raw and visceral reflecting the Navy Yard campus the company took over. Piping and valve supplier Victaulic supplied piping systems for the chillers and other mechanical equipment.

circulators—design processes that are leading the charge in water conservation. And although they seem unrelated, there is a very real connection between water and power generation. In recent testimony before Congress, Henry L. Green, president of the National Institute of Building Sciences, told legislators that while water is not explicitly mentioned in the language of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which defines a high-performance building as one that “integrates and optimizes on a life-cycle basis all major high performance attributes, including energy conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations,” water is an essential consideration in many of these attributes. Further, he went on to

note that it is becoming increasingly obvious that water, like energy, will serve as a fundamental focus of building-related policies. Water is also critical in the production of energy itself, be it coal for electricity, natural gas or petroleum. Green also noted that in U.S. Geological Survey, the generation of electricity is responsible for almost half of the nation’s water withdrawals. This equates, he said, to about 23 gallons per kilowatt hour generated. Therefore, any energy use avoided results in less water use. In addition, reductions in water use can result in decreased energy demand, as it is consumed in the conveyance of water from the source to the point of treatment, the treatment process itself, the distribution of water to the point of use, heating water and the water treatment process.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

CIRCLE 39

Eric Stengel Architecture, LLC

We surround ourselves with buildings that last generations and hold strong memories. Brick has long been known as a solid choice for its durability and integrity. For 127 years Belden Brick has been supplying quality brick products to buildings that we trust to last a lifetime. How can we help you build your next project of a lifetime? www.beldenbrick.com info@beldenbrick.com / (330) 456-0031 An ISO 9001:2008 Registered Quality Management System An ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System

CIRCLE 40

WATER MANAGEMENT

Eliminates Standby Losses

CHRIS KIDS Atlanta, Ga. The mission of CHRIS Kids is to help unlock the potential of at-risk children and families. In a move to develop a stronger foundation, CHRIS Kids has undertaken a renovation and construction project. Among the goals of the project was the renovation of exterior spaces for a new playground and green spaces for socializing. Landscape architects Pond Ecos created a design that speciďŹ ed drought tolerant native plants and—and to meet all irrigation needs—a 20,000-gallon, above-ground rainwater catchment cistern and a below-ground transfer tank from BRAE, a Watts Water Technologies company. During a rain, site runo mix in drainage catch basins, moving from there through to the underground tank. When the water volume reaches a certain level, a pump moves the harvested rain water to the above-ground tank.

Designed to sequence up to eight water heaters on the same system, the Water Heater Management (WHM) system ensures that all water heaters in the system are operating at maximum eďŹƒciency by monitoring ďŹ ring rate, and opening or closing one motorized valve per unit, as required to meet hot water demand. The system incorporates a master/slave backup feature that can also determine which unit to enable or disable based on run hours, which helps balance unit run hours, reducing service and maintenance costs. Circle 246 AERCO International www.aerco.com

Vacuum Plumbing — the Environmental Choice A typical vacuum system can reduce potable water consumption for toilets by 68% with a highly eďŹƒcient vacuum ush toilet requiring only a half-gallon per ush. Of the many beneďŹ ts vacuum plumbing oers, the water and waste treatment savings are one of the most important features of this technology. The water savings can be thousands of dollars and millions of gallons per year for larger applications. The vacuum plumbing system contributes to a healthier, more sanitary environment by preventing waste ex-ďŹ ltration— ensuring that contaminants stay within the waste piping network and eliminating the vaporization of water from the toilet bowl during a ush. The AcornVac system was chosen as a greener alternative to a traditional plumbing system at the LEED Silver Amherst County Adult Detention Center in Virginia, and one that is more practical for the facility in terms of controlling water costs, conducting maintenance with ease and helping prevent excessive inmate use. The vacuum plumbing system is expected to reduce wastewater by 70% and overall water use by more than 60%, which can annually save over 3.5 million gallons of water. Circle 245 AcornVac Inc. www.acornvac.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

4275N

The 1G The new gravity-fed, two-piece 1G Double Cyclone marries performance and bowl cleansing action to high-eďŹƒciency water savings. Like a cyclone in nature, the Double Cyclone ushing system creates a powerful 1.0 gpf ush engine that maximizes cleaning action as it spins away waste. Double Cyclone features two nozzles that use water more eďŹƒciently for better rim and bowl cleansing, resulting in less trapped matter and bacteria, which results in less time needed to clean the toilet. Circle 244 TOTO USA www.totousa.com

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BOOTH NUMBER

OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

3347N 41

WATER

Dancing in the Rain The sleek-looking showerpipe oers anti-scald protection and includes the Croma E 100 Green 3-jet handshower with full, pulsating massage and intense turbo spray modes and the Raindance S 150 AIR Green 1-jet showerhead. An angle-adjustable holder pivots left and right, slides easily and locks in place. Easy on the wallet, this showerpipe is easy on the environment, too. Thanks to its low-ow components and its integrated diverter, which prevents simultaneous use of handshower and showerhead, it is also compliant with California’s CalGreen Code, the strictest in the nation. A tub/shower model is available as well, and all models are oered in chrome or brushed nickel. Circle 243 Hansgrohe www.hansgrohe.com

SOLAR HEATING FOR THE PENTAGON

Eneref Institute (www.eneref.org) is convening a multi-economic sector of the U.S. solar thermal industry to work directly with the Dept. of Defense oďŹƒce of Installations and Environment. The institute’s mission is to provide accurate guidance on equipment speciďŹ cations/standards, contractor qualiďŹ cations, thirdparty ďŹ nance and monitoring practices in order to build a greater conďŹ dence for solar heating technology within DOD worldwide. Eneref’s initial task is to convene an industry-funded solar heating and cooling (SHC) specialists group to initiate and re-engineer best practices for the implementation of SHC systems on DoD CONUS and OCONUS facilities. The institute has identiďŹ ed four SHC imperatives: technology, monitoring, ďŹ nancing and internal communication. Beginning with the technical challenges, the ďŹ rst report Eneref provides to DOD will provide recommendations to determinations on equipment speciďŹ cations/standards, life-cycle cost analysis, energy modeling strategies as well as help to deďŹ ne qualiďŹ cations for engineers and contractors. Evidence will be drawn from well-established guidelines. Eneref Institute already leads an industry-wide initiative, “Solar Thermal Advantage,â€? which is designed to increase adoption of solar heating and cooling in residential and commercial facilities. In coordination with DOD, Seth Warren Rose, Eneref Institute Executive Director, will direct the eort to bring industry stakeholders to the table. Beyond the participants from the DOD and solar thermal industry, contributors will be drawn from other government agencies. The recommendations for solar heating policies, programs, practices and investments will cover all sectors of the industry—buildings, panels, monitoring systems and ďŹ nance—and will be designed to invigorate the U.S. solar thermal industry, increase industry competitiveness, and advance the nation’s energy security and environmental goals.

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

NINER WINE ESTATES Paso Robles, Calif. Seeking LEED certiďŹ cation, the winery worked with architects Pults & Assocs., to develop a comprehensive "green" solution. For instance, the wine-making facility is set into an east-facing hillside and is constructed with 14-in.-thick insulated concrete tilt-up panels, which have very high thermal mass. Other energy eďŹƒcient strategies, such as gravity ow wine-making, night air cooling, and strategic selection of windows and overhangs, helped achieve conservation goals, as did extensive water conservation measures (detailed to the right).

Ideal for Direct-Burial Ecoex pre-insulated piping systems feature service pipe sizes ranging from 1 in. to 4 in. Ecoex features Wirsbo hePE barrier tubing surrounded by closed-cell, PEX-foam insulation and covered by a waterproof, corrugated HDPE jacket, making it ideal for directburial applications. It is available in continuous lengths up to 600 feet, and uses Uponor’s durable ProPEX expansion ďŹ ttings for a watertight, leakresistant system. Circle 242 Uponor www.uponor-usa.com p

4468N

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Green Enough to Drink Setting a new standard in environmental stewardship was a major goal in the creation of the Niner Wine Estates. Perhaps its greatest green distinction is its water eďŹƒciency. Most of the landscape areas on the property are natural grasses that require no irrigation, and the remaining landscape areas use native and adapted species with eďŹƒcient drip irrigation, reducing overall water demand by 86% compared to typical landscape design. The water that is required is provided entirely by captured rainwater and recycled process water, treated in a unique system designed by The Wallace Group in San Luis Obispo, so that zero gallons of potable water are used for the landscape. This saves 1 million gallons of water every year. The balance of the reclaimed or treated water is used to irrigate the vineyards. Circle 241 Wallace Group www.wallacegroup.us.com g p

The Future of Handwashing New Advocate AV-Series Lavatory System is the ďŹ rst lavatory unit to provide a sink, soap, faucet and dual-sided hand dryer all in one unit. Since all hand washing elements are close by, the user needn’t move from the station. In addition to user convenience and functionality, the integrated design ensures that water goes down the drain—not on the oor or down the walls. To wash hands with the system, users intuitively move their hands from left to right. Circle 240 Bradley Corp. www.bradleycorp.com y p

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1021S 43

WATER MANAGEMENT

Commercial Tankless Ecoex Rheem has expanded its SPIDERďŹ re line of ultra high eďŹƒciency condensing commercial water heaters to include new 80-gallon capacity models, which complement the line’s existing oering of 100-gallon units. The SPIDERďŹ re series is ideal for commercial settings that need an eďŹƒcient way to heat a high volume of water throughout the day, such as restaurants, laundromats, hotels, schools and many other businesses. Measuring 26.25 in. in diameter and 69.625 in. tall, the 80-gallon Rheem SPIDERďŹ re units make fast and easy commercial installations a reality. They have BTU input rates from 130,000 to 300,000 BTU/h. The units operate between 92% and 97% thermal eďŹƒciency. The 300,000 BTU/h model can deliver up to 391 gallons of hot water in one hour, and can recover its contents in just 14 minutes. Circle 239

4468N

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Rheem www.rheem.com

GEO LAUDS NEW HAMPSHIRE THERMAL ENERGY LAW

The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) lauds the New Hampshire’s law that adds thermal renewable energy sources to compliance measures that electric utilities can deploy to meet the requirements of the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Signed into law in June, the law allows renewable thermal energy, such as that oered by geothermal heat pumps, to qualify for its RPS program at least through 2025. It will oer Renewable Energy CertiďŹ cates (RECs) to geothermal, biomass and solar and project developers that are equivalent in value to those given for renewable electricity projects. The RECs will be worth up to $29 per megawatt-hour of useful thermal energy produced. QualiďŹ ed projects can use revenue generated from the sale of the RECs that they earn to ďŹ nance capital costs, helping to cut payback time on investment. The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) developed the concept and led eorts in support of the new law with the legislature, Governor’s OďŹƒce and the state Public Utilities Commission. “Now is the time for other states to consider New Hampshire's leadership. Thermal energy represents over a third of all energy consumed in America,â€? said BTEC executive director Joseph Seymour. “Energy policy that only focuses on electricity or transportation fuels ignores the tremendous economic and environmental beneďŹ ts of displacing our dependence on fossil heating fuels with renewable energy.â€? According to BTEC, eight states have limited thermal provisions in their RPS programs (AZ, IA, MA, MD, NC, OH, VA and WI), but they are generally narrowly restricted. Maryland passed a landmark thermal energy bill for geothermal and other sources into law in May. Other states, notably Massachusetts and Vermont, are considering expanding their RPS programs to include thermal sources. Thermal projects will not qualify for the new REC incentives until after Jan. 1, 2013.

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

MADISON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Madison, Wisc. As part of its goal to be the ďŹ rst LEED-certiďŹ ed museum in the state, the facility's design team explored many ways to save energy where possible. An unusual solution came in the form of bathroom equipment whose sensors are powered by photovoltaic cells that convert bathroom lighting to stored energy for the ow of water.

Madison welcomes what will likely become the ďŹ rst LEED-certiďŹ ed museum in the state. Built with the intention of inspiring families to pursue green practices, the museum took on the challenge to “go beyond greenâ€? in its building design, construction and programming. The result: an 80-year-old department store was transformed into an impressive green showcase of local and sustainable materials and exhibits. Five of the museum’s restrooms feature Bradley’s Express MG Lavatory Systems made of TerreonRE, a solid surface material comprised of bio-based resin, pre-consumer recycled granule ďŹ llers and other materials. The Express lavatories are powered by ndite technology, which uses photovoltaic cells integrated into the top of the lavatory to capture and store natural light or normal room-level lighting. ndite converts restroom lighting to energy, which powers the sensors controlling the ow of water. Choosing green restroom ďŹ xtures was a team eort for the museum’s administrative sta and the lead architect, Mark Lefebvre of Kubala Washatko Architects, Cedarburg, Wisc. “The backdrop to the museum’s design was kid-friendly, fun, colorful and green in nature,â€? Lefebvre says. Circle 238 Bradley Corp. www.bradleycorp.com y p

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1021S

Conscious Water Use Architec Dry Urinal embraces the responsibility of conscious water use and environmental conservation through innovation in design. Thanks to a hose membrane integrated into the outlet, the urinal ushes without any water whatsoever. The membrane opens only when urine ows through, then closes to keep unpleasant odors at bay. The unit is ďŹ tted with an attractive cover that has a ring of gel on the underside. The gel, based on organic substances, gradually ushes away during use. A special mix of pH neutral and active cleaning ingredients ďŹ ghts stains. Additionally, the ring contains essential oils that release a fresh fragrance. The green gel also acts as an indicator: when it has been used up, it is time for the module to be replaced. Circle 237 Duravit www.duravit.com

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

3BEJPNFUFST monitor sky conditions in real time to control shade positions.

Automated shades in Washington’s USGBC Headquarters.

MechoSystems makes the key automated window-shading ingredients for LEEDÂŽ points in Daylight, Lighting Controls, and a number of other categories. Our SolarTracÂŽ WindowManagementÂŽ system, as an important example, is part of the recipe for the LEEDÂŽ Platinum-rated USGBC Headquarters.

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CIRCLE 41

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We’re part of the recipe.

| DAYLIGHTING |

METEA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Aurora, Ill.

Power of the Sun Daylighting is a building solution that, when done correctly, not only reduces energy use by as much as 30% to 50% of a building’s electric lighting usage, but also provides the most effective light for the human eye. "Electric lights simply cannot provide the full spectrum of color that is available from the natural light of the sun," says Grant Gable, LEED AP, and vice president of sales and marketing for Sunoptics, an Acuity company. While the concept of daylighting and the ensuing energy savings seems intuitive, Gable says, it must be designed carefully to avoid solar gain and glare. He notes today’s building design professionals have many applications to choose from in designing daylit spaces. One of those choices is roof-top daylighting devices that include active skylights with mirrors, passive

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

skylights, including prismatic skylights, tubular skylights, clerestory windows and light shelves. "Two important factors for roof top daylighting devices are visual light transmission (VLT) and light diffusion. The goal is to bring in the most amount of light, properly diffused and without hot spots. This will minimize glare and UV-damage to the interior," says Gable. Clerestories are another strategy for bringing daylight deeper into a building and are used to bring in light in high spaces, those generally with ceiling heights of 15-20 ft. or more. "The drawback with clerestories, however, is that they can produce glare," says Gable. Proper shading is one way to correct this problem. In the northern hemisphere, however, another strategy is to install north-facing clerestories which eliminates

Because the translucent curtain wall from Kalwall admits so much controlled daylight, the school’s exterior light harvesting system, which monitors indoor light levels, can actually turn off electric lights in public spaces automatically when they are not needed. The harvesting system alone is expected to save the district over $21,000 a year in operational costs with a payback of under seven years. Kalwall, Greenbuild booth: 401S.

the need to worry about glare or shading. Light shelves are often used in concert with clerestory windows. These shelves stick out from a building to divide the clerestory window (above 7 ft.) and the view panel (below 7 ft.) to provide shading for the view panel portion. A light shelf that sticks out of the building at an appropriate length can provide summer shading for the view panel, thus reducing solar heat gain during the summer. According to Gable, there are many benefits for incorporating daylighting: using lighting controls and high visible light transmission glazing with maximum diffusion allows one to not only maximize the hours that can eliminate electric lights on an annual basis, but also reduce the heat in the building even during the summer months. "It is a technology that can make

a dramatic impact on electric energy use around the world. And it provides an environment in which people thrive—students in daylit schools achieve higher test scores, daylit retail stores have higher sales, daylit hospitals and senior care facilities report faster healing and businesses report higher productivity and less absenteeism in daylit offices," says Gable. The cost of implementing daylighting systems in buildings where it makes sense is a fraction of the cost of installing renewable energy technologies, says Gable. "Yet, daylighting is being used in less than 5% of the buildings where it would be an effective strategy." For more information on daylighting, visit the Daylighting Collaborative, an arm of the Wisconsin Energy Center, at www. daylighting.org.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

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On the Shelf Manufactured from high-quality aluminum extrusions and a lightweight, rigid honeycomb core panel with a durable melamine surface, the Luminance Light Shelf from YKK AP offers strong performance and an attractive look. A tilt-down panel enables easy maintenance, while the shelf’s surface is highly reflective and slightly textured for a penetrating, diffused daylight effect. Circle 236 . YKK AP America Inc. www.ykkap.com

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8135S

Improving Education with Light The 11.5-ft.-wide by 19-ft.-long single-slope ControLite intelligent skylight by CPI Daylighting is powered by its intelligent suntracking system with built-in SolaBlades. The system captures maximum sunlight in the morning and late afternoon hours, but reduces sunlight during peak hours by rotating the skylight’s internal blades to create the classroom’s desired shading and sunlight transmission. Circle 235 . CPI Daylighting www.cpidaylighting.com

3113N

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Just Enlightening Slimming down its light shelf solution, the new InLighten from Kawneer features less material content, reduced weight and better sightlines with maximized daylighting. Easily attaching to Kawneer’s curtain wall and storefront framing systems, the new design bounces natural light deeper into the interior via the ceiling. With an extruded aluminum chassis system, the light shelf comes in several panel designs. Circle 234 . Kawneer www.kawneer.com

1713S

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NET ZERO BUILDINGS

Solar Control Custom-designed aluminum shading systems from Airolite can be fabricated for cantilevered, horizontal, vertical and inclined applications to filter up to 80% of the sun’s heat and glare while still allowing for interior views. These sun controls are manufactured using the company’s all-welded assembly process for added strength, and a range of paint and anodized coatings are available to meet exterior needs. Circle 230 . Airolite www.airolite.com

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OCTOBER 2012 | NZB

1933S 47

DAYLIGHTING

BEIJING AIRPORT Beijing, China EnFocus Engineering Corp. has developed a photovoltaic-integrated skylight that includes an x-y axis that allows the optical systems to track the sun and convert the hottest and glaring rays, while still allowing more comfortable light levels to the space below.

DAYLIGHT MODELING GETS RID OF THE GUESSWORK

Daylight modeling enables architects to take a pro-active approach to one of sustainable design’s most critical components. Yet many architects aren’t fully aware of the benefits, both short-term and over the life of a building. Employed most effectively right in the initial concept stage of a building’s design, daylight modeling presents a 3-D model of the building’s fenestration that virtually simulates the structure’s total environment. This approach provides answers that tell the designer about the quantity and quality of proposed daylighting and its effects on the building’s occupants. This allows the designer to play “What if…” in considering options to address glare, comfort, functionality and safety issues plus energy efficiency. And it helps the designer maximize opportunities for LEED credits. Studies prove effective daylighting results in increased occupant comfort and productivity in offices and schools, as well as increased sales in retail environments. Lower HVAC and electrical costs add up to significant energy and operational costs over the life cycle of a building. Daylight modeling can show a designer how to create the light flow – both inside and outside – to achieve that. Daylight modeling today has become more economical and more accurate. It can play a major role in an integrated strategy to achieve maximum energy efficiency and ROI while using more natural resources. And it can do it right up front, avoiding costly changes later in the construction process. In today’s designs, daylighting means much more than just sticking in some skylights. A sophisticated approach that integrates daylight modeling offers the designer a sustainable strategy with no surprises. —By Tim Metcalfe, Director of Sustainable Technologies Duo-Gard Industries Inc.

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

WYOMING DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION Torrington, Wy. The Torrington Port of Entry serves as a busy weigh station. Its agents need clear and unobstructed views from all angles, at all hours of the day. The station had significant solar control issues: Intense sunlight and heat presented challenges during the summer, while snow glare added complexity in the winter. The solution came in the from of electronically controlled glazing from SageGlass which automatically tints or clears in response to changing daylight conditions. In the Torrington facility, sensors are programmed to automatically let in one of four light levels through the glass throughout the day: 2%, 6%, 20% or 60% which was a feature critical to the visual success of the port. Sage Glass, Greenbuild booth: 4353N.

BIPV Meets High-Performance Glass What do you get when you combine high-performance glass with photovoltaics? Just ask Guardian Industries and Pythagoras Solar, who have teamed up to produce SunGuard Photovoltaic Glass Units, essentially turning building facades into transparent, energy-producing units. With market analysts predicting significant growth for the BIPV glass market within the next few years, this new product is well positioned, enabling ambient light transmission while generating electricity at a rate comparable to crystalline silicon PV modules. Circle 233 . Guardian www.guardian.com

1301S

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DAYLIGHTING

In Deep Inspired by kiln-cast glass, Guardian now features Joel Berman Glass Editions in four styles—Ima, Etre, Aqui and Esto feature subtle depth and dimension and oer varying levels of privacy. Shown here is Etre; it serves to create the perception of privacy while allowing for light transmission in this hospitality application. Beyond its beauty, use of interior glazing allows daylight to penetrate much deeper into interior spaces. Interior choices, including color and bulk/ make up of furniture systems greatly aects daylight potency. Circle 231 . Guardian InGlass www.guardianinglass.com

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1301S

Sun-Days Solatube oers a new line of decorative features for the company’s tubular daylighting devices. The Glass Distractions ďŹ xtures come in six styles: Just Frost, TierDrop, OptiView, QuadraFrost, VividShade and AuroraGlo; they attach at ceiling level and give a polished look to 10-in. and 14-in. diameter Solatube products. Circle 232 . Solatube www.solatube.com

901S

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NET ZERO BUILDINGS

CIRCLE 35

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ENERGY CENTER OF WISCONSIN A nonprofit organization dedicated to high-performance building design, education and research, the center shapes improvements in the built environment using energy and economic analysis. Whether you are an architect trying to capture the most natural light from a small space or a facilities director who wants to identify and prioritize approaches for long-term energy savings, the center can help. With headquarters in Madison, and offices in Chicago and Minneapolis, the center offers an independent third-party approach through evidence-based research and economic analysis. A recent example of the center’s work is a campus-wide energy study for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The goal was to find least-cost paths to net zero energy consumption for the entire campus. The Energy Center narrowed the field of potential energy efficiency and renewable energy approaches, quantified the energy and carbon reduction for each proposed measure, and estimated the life cycle cost of the reductions. As a mission-based organization focused on accelerating energy efficiency, the Energy Center is committed to sharing its work to inform change. A variety of free resources can be accessed online at www.ecw.org/buildings: » Back-of-the-envelope calculator: analyzes energy connections between building components » HyGCHP: allows engineers to analyze hybrid geothermal strategies » Daylighting Collaborative: resource for building owners and designers to learn about daylighting » Webinars: features energy modeling, daylighting and high performance technologies The center provides customized solutions to energy conservation strategies and treats each project individually. This hands-on approach supports building owners and designers every step of the way in determining the most sustainable path to help them achieve their energy goals at an economical cost.

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CIRCLE 42

Circle 27

| TOWARD ZERØ |

KEVIN WILLMORTH

NET ZERO MEANS IT’S TIME TO THINK AGAIN In many ways, lighting is a microcosm of the whole net-zero movement: It certainly offers a low-hanging entry point to energy savings, but also presents difficulties in that its current delivery mechanism has been subverted and, in turn, must be corrected to get buildings on a true track to sustainability.

O

ne of the most direct routes to immediately improving the energy performance of a building is better lighting. The problem is that lighting has been a practice of many for so long that much of the practice falls upon sales channel partners, manufacturers, contractors, or other non-lighting design entities. This results in rote application of old ideas perpetuated into future buildings, along with manufacturer sales pitch influence, contractor profit motive, and a general

cant re-think of virtually every aspect of lighting. This includes integrating natural light, interior color selection, furniture design to provide task illuminance, and layout of space in a way that facilitates effective illumination. Attaining net zero goals will demand that even features of a space that do not directly consume energy, will be considered an influencing component of the energy consumed within the building.

The First Step – Cut Demand to the Minimum

GETTING TO NET ZERO IS NOT EASY, NOR WILL IT COME FROM APPLYING CONVENTIONAL PRODUCTS AND APPROACHES. SOURCE SELECTION, TARGET ILLUMINANCE SPECIFICATIONS, LAYOUT AND PRODUCT SELECTION WILL REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT RE-THINK OF VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF LIGHTING. lack of interest in the finer work of illumination. In other words, the application of light has become a business of laziness and lack of serious consideration. This is evidenced most recently by lighting products employing the most efficient light sources ever created, in imitations of old poor quality lighting product. This approach serves those too lazy to apply the new technology properly, leading to simple and rapid sales results. To reach the goals of net zero building, the laziness, rote spec recycling, and manufacturer influences must be set aside and the harder work of proper illumination specification reinvigorated. Getting to net zero is not easy, nor will it come from applying conventional products and approaches. Source selection, target illuminance specifications, layout and product selection will require a signifi-

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NZB | OCTOBER 2012

In any building scheme where a balance between energy use and production on site are to be balanced, the implications of energy used for lighting differs significantly from utility connected infrastructures. While those who depend on external power supply consider energy saving on a $/KWh basis, those looking to generate power locally must consider the capital cost per watt, in addition to the opportunity loss from consuming, rather than selling or diverting generated energy to other uses. This raises the bar significantly for pursuing energy efficient lighting systems, as the cost of local energy production is often significantly more costly than tapping the grid for the power used. The additional cost of generation in terms of capital investment, vs. the energy consumed by a lighting product presents new opportunities in deployment of advanced lighting technologies that deliver higher efficiency, but come at a higher initial cost. Since the capital costs will be weighed against the cost of generating capacity to serve a given load, use of higher levels of light source technologies, such as LEDs, and greater use of active controls, from light sensing to occupancy, are more reachable. To control the cost of investment and consumption further, a significantly greater effort is required in evaluating light levels needed, in both gross terms, and in finite areas within spaces. Rather than blast the entire interior with task level illuminance, a more refined approach is to surgically identify the light needed one square foot at a time, and deliver only what is needed there, avoiding the over-lighting conventional systems produce. Application of small, low-power task lights controlled by occupants, lighting of traffic spaces to a much lower level than work

areas, and applying controls to shut down lighting not needed due to occupancy, natural light contribution, time of day, or occupant desire, all produce stack-on gains that result in significantly lower consumption. New thinking and research indicates that buildings have been grossly over-lighted for decades. While there are specific working tasks that demand high illuminance for proper performance, for the most part, people are much happier with lower light levels without glare and discomfort. Putting this to work in real terms will be key to attaining super-effective lighting system designs consuming just a fraction of the power they consume in conventional structures.

Design Counts One factor that must not be overlooked in ultra-efficient lighting design—or any kind of building design for the matter—is good design. In the effort to reach very high levels of efficiency necessary to realize net zero building goals, design cannot be set aside as a frivolous investment in order to simplistically cut lighting loads at the cost of quality. Even those blind to the aesthetics of attractive lighting design, will see the implications of bad lighting design. For example, while shoppers may not choose stores based on lighting quality, it has been proven that lighting techniques and approach has a significant influence on buying behavior. In the commercial environment, the influence of lighting design, good and bad, is far more subtle. The aesthetics of light can be set aside as subjective to the business owner’s preference, with no significant impact on customer behavior—especially for those businesses where customers rarely visit facilities. However, in business spaces, from factories to offices, lighting has a significant impact on visual performance. Good lighting design will not only pay dividends in reducing energy consumption, it will increase productivity, reduce errors, and increase feelings of well being of occupants. While these benefits have proven illusively difficult to quantify, studies have shown there is a persistent common thread between adequate, comfortable, high quality illumination, and lower sick day absenteeism, higher productivity, and lower error rates.

NET ZERO BUILDINGS

REVOLUTIONIZING SINGLE-PLY ROOFING SINCE 1962 Scan this code to get the full Carlisle story.

800-479-6832 | www.carlislesyntec.com CIRCLE 43

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Mestek has a strategic alliance and exclusive license agreement with Colt Group USA. Mestek is the exclusive licensee to produce and market the Colt designed products for the US market and all products are produced in the USA.

Solar shading louver systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce air conditioning loads, while offering designers the opportunity for distinctive architectural impact.

Colt has more than 40 years experience in the design and supply of solar shading louver systems. Colt was the first to incorporate electricity generating photovoltaic cells into solar shading systems. Colt continues to build on this experience and has been providing solar shading systems for the US market since 2006.

Additionally, Mestek’s Architectural activities include Linel and AWV. The emphasis for these companies is in providing products and solutions that beautify and improve the performance of buildings through Intelligent Envelopes™.

Radiation from the sun is transmitted, absorbed and reflected by the louvers. As a result solar heat gain is prevented from passing into the building. If an operable system is chosen, the adjustable louvers will track the position of the sun increasing the systems shading effectiveness and further reducing glare. On overcast days, the operable louvers can be opened to maximize the natural daylight into the building.

We offer an extraordinary range of solar shading systems from fixed to fully operable with a variety of carrier systems, materials and finishes.

101 Linel Drive, Mooresville, IN 46158 317.831.5314 P 317.831.9260 F

www.linel.co

www.awv.com CIRCLE 44

www.coltgroupusa.com

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