energy modeling project

SDN 603 Energy Modeling Project Project Group: Joe Tursi and Tiffany Stoudt PROJECT SITE: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Initial Data: After completion of the Part1 assignment for the Energy Modeling Project, we adapted the building into the Chicago, Illinois region by changing the location in the eQUEST Building Description Mode. Below are our outcomes of building performance in the Chicago region without adapting the building to climatic changes which would affect the Electric Consumption and Gas Consumption. [ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION: 123.45]

[GAS CONSUMPTION: 386.04]


Step 1 – Research Geographical History: In order to efficiently adapt the building to the climatic region of Chicago, Illinois, we researched the geographical history of the region. Immediately, we saw a dramatic natural disaster which affected all design development in the city – the Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire started October 8th of 1871 and burned for two days devastating the city and all in its path; destroying 3.3 sq. miles of downtown real estate. At the time, more than 2/3 of all structure in the city was composed primarily of a wood membrane, all sidewalks were constructed of wood, and most roofs had hard tar or flammable shingles. Do to this devastation, building codes adapted to metal frame construction as the primary construction material for all buildings within the city. Step 2 – Adapt Building Orientation: When placing the building in the Chicago, Illinois region, we noticed the window placement and deisgn layout would not benefit from the regional sun path. We looked at a Sun Path Diagram to map out the Winter and Summer solstice. In order to take Advantage of the summer and winter sun for economic heating and lighting, we decided to rotate the building at a 90o angle. Step 3 – Adapt Exterior Windows To go even further in the design orientation, we decided it would be beneficial to reduce energy costs by reducing the amount of windows on the Southern side, and adding equal windows to the Northern. We adapted the quantites to 20% N, 20%S, and 60%E. We added opaque, light colored, Roller Shades to eliminate further unwanted light or excess heat. The shades are 20% closed when occupied and 80% closed when unoccupied. The last adaptation we did to the windows was change the glazing material to Quadrupal low E windows. Step 4 – Adapt Exterior Doors We kept the initial door material and locations, we adapted the data to read East door and South door with the new orientation.

Chicago Fire of 1871 Chicago, Illinois – Present Day

Original Orientation New Proposed Orientation 20 % South

20 % North

60% East


Step 5 – Adapt Building Envelope As we mentioned previously, due to the Chicago, Illinois fire of 1871, all construction is recommended to be metal frame. Our original building was 8” CMU, which would not suffice for the region. Because of this, we opted for a metal frame 2x6 24” O.C. for the above grade walls and complete construction. We added 3 in. polyisocyanurate (R-21) for exterior insulation and (R-21) batt additional insulation. Interior insulation would be 1 in. polyisocyanurate (R-7). We added this much insulation due to the vast temperature variants in the region. We added white marble for aesthetics, as well as for thermal mass. Roof construction consisted of 24” O.C.metal frame origianally, and we kept the design choice. However, we added a built up roof with (R-38) batt insulation with a radiation barrier. We chose the color of medium Kelly green for aesthetic purposes. We kept all original data for the ground floor and below grade walls. The only changes we made was to the exterior and cavity insulation by adding a full underslab insulator of (R-10) and a carpet with rubber pad. We chose the rubber pad for sustainable purposes. Step 6 – Adapt Building Interior Construction On the interior building construction, we kept the majority of the same data from the original proposed building. The changes we made were for insulation in the ceilings and floor. In the ceilings, we kept the lay-in acoustic tile, but added (R-30) batt insulation. In the floors, we changed the vinyl tile to carpet to rubber pad and added 3 in. polyisocyanurate (R-21) insulation. Final Data and Conclusion: Concluding, what we noticed was that the more insulation we added, the tighter the structure became. By orientating the building and windows, we were able to add sufficient daylight and heating by reducing energy costs for electricity and gas consumption. Below are the final graphs depicting how our adaptions to the building saved overall energy consumption. (Final Data on next page).

Climate Zone 5 Metal Buildings – Typical R Value for Climate Zone 5


[ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION: 87.70] [GAS CONSUMPTION: 276.18]

energy modeling project

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