post occupancy research at the north park passive house

Post-Occupancy Research at the North Park Passive House

2016 PASSIVE HOUSE NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

MARCH 11, 2016

CHRISTY LOVE | EIT, LEED AP BD+C

Project Partners

Learning Objectives

Understand the scope of the research and what we hope to learn from it.

Understand preliminary results of how the building enclosure is performing.

Understand preliminary results around comfort, air quality, and energy use.

Share lessons learned (so far) about undertaking this type of research.

North Park Passive House

Photo: Ryan Hamilton

Building Background

Final average airtightness = 0.53 ACH at 50 Pa

Construction (hard) cost = $182/SF; ~4% incremental capital cost

Wood frame, ‘deep stud wall’ construction – 2x8 + 2x4 service cavity

Solar PV array, net metering

Monitoring in purchase agreement

Design

Design

Research Questions

Is the enclosure keeping the weather out? Is it drying sufficiently?

Are the suites comfortable and is the interior air quality good?

What is the occupant experience living in a Passive House?

Is the energy consumption as low as predicted?

Photo: Ryan Hamilton

1: Enclosure Performance

Enclosure – Sensor Locations – Exterior Wall

TRHMC

Enclosure Sensor Locations

Enclosure – Sensor Locations – Roof

TRHMC

Enclosure Sensor Install - Roof

Enclosure Monitoring Data – T – S Wall

E I

Enclosure Monitoring Data – T – N Wall

E I

Enclosure Monitoring Data – RH + T – S Wall

E I

Enclosure Monitoring Data – MC - Walls

E I

2. Interior comfort and air quality

Installation

Installation

Installation

Interior comfort monitoring data - T

Interior comfort monitoring data – T + RH

Interior comfort monitoring data – T + RH

Interior air quality monitoring data

Occupant Interviews

Pre-move in interviews – Sept 2015

Winter season interviews – now

Summer 2016 – to come

Photo: Ryan Hamilton

3. Energy and Water Use

Modeled:

11 kWh/m2/yr heating demand

43.0 kWh/m2/yr total (site) energy demand

119 kWh/m2/yr primary energy demand

3. Energy and Water Use

Monitored - TBD

Solar Output vs Predicted

Lessons Learned

Challenges with installing during construction

Install more sensors than needed

Expect more time than desired for startup

Different system for energy end use monitoring

Conclusions + Next Steps

Research questions:

Enclosure

Comfort

Energy and Water

What’s next?

rdh.com

Questions and Discussion

THANK YOU!

CLOVE@RDH.COM