Challenges and Solutions for Building Passive House & Net ... · What is the feasibility of...

Whitehorse Net Zero Solutions 2019-05-08

G.Finch - RDH - [email protected] 1

1

Challenges and Solutions for Building

Passive House & Net Zero Energy

Ready Housing in Northern Canada

WHITEHORSE, YUKON – MAY 8, 2019

GRAHAM FINCH, MASC, P.ENG. (BC+YK) – PRINCIPAL, SENIOR SPECIALIST

2

As Canada strives to reduce emissions from the built environment through energy efficiency improvements, there are many uncertainties with the feasibility of reaching near-net zero performance in the challenging climate of Canada’s North due to factors such as availability of resources and high heating demand. This presentation outlines the results of research to understand solutions for achieving goals such as Net Zero Ready construction, Passive House and the upper steps of the BC Energy Step Code for residential buildings in Canada’s north. This research is also highly impactful for in setting energy efficiency targets within Yukon and across Canada. Specifically, the presentation will outline:• Challenges with, and key solutions for, using different energy modelling tools for code compliance in the north, with a focus on aligning assumptions for northern regions.

• Practical building enclosure and mechanical design solutions to overcome the challenges of implementing near-net zero energy targets in Canada’s Far North.

• Where the near-net zero energy targets cannot be feasibly met with current practices or cost-effective means, potential new technologies and adaptations to energy performance targets will be discussed to assist policy makers.



3

Background for the Research

Energy Modeling Tools

Achieving High Performance

Incremental Cost Estimates

Northern Barriers and Solutions

Further Work

Outline

4

What is the feasibility of achieving Passive House and near-

net zero levels of energy performance (e.g. Steps 4 & 5 of

the BC Energy Step Code) for residential buildings within

Canada’s challenging northern climate including all

communities and regions within the Yukon, Northwest

Territories and Nunavut (climate zones 7A to 8).

Overarching Research Question



5

The North is Big

Canadas largest but least populated CZ is 8

6

The North is Very Cold

CZ 8 has huge range of HDD –lumped together for “Southern Canada’s simplicity”



7

The North has Challenging Access

8

More Insulation is Required



9

Challenged by the Terrain

10

What Would it Take in the Far North to Build to Passive House or Net Zero Standards?



11

What Would Happen in the North if Canada Adopted a National Energy Step Code?

12

Initiatives that led to the Energy Step Code in BC

Energy Step Code – OverviewClimate Leadership PlanBC Building Code

• Net Zero Ready by 2032

Pan Canadian FrameworkNational Building Code

• Net Zero Ready by 2030

• National “Stretch” Code

Clean Efficient Buildings –Intentions Paper

BC Building Code proposed changes

• Step 3 - 2022

• Step 4 - 2027

• Step 5 - 2032



13

Pan-Canadian Framework

on Clean Growth and

Climate Change calls for

adoption of “net-zero

energy ready” by 2030

National Building Code of Canada Direction

14

Definitions: Near Net Zero, Net Zero Energy Ready,

& Net Zero Energy

Near Net Zero: A building with low energy usage such that it

approaches the annual energy consumption of Net Zero

Energy buildings, and, with additional measures, COULD

produce nearly as much renewable energy as it uses on an

annual basis

Net Zero Energy Ready: A building with low energy usage

such that, with additional measures, it could generate as

much renewable energy as it uses on an annual basis

Net Zero Energy: A building with low energy usage such that,

with the use of active energy generation equipment (i.e. solar

PV etc.), it can generate as much renewable energy as it uses

on an annual basis



15

The Problem with the “Net Zero Energy” Definition

16

Common Attributes of Net Zero

Energy Buildings



17

House

Educational

MURB

Office

Average energy savings over code:

Houses –64 %Educational –76 %MURBs –50 % Offices –84 %

PNWER Study of Ultra Low Energy / Net Zero Energy

& NZE Ready Buildings

18

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

140%

En

erg

y S

avi

ng

s (%

)

Net

zero

Energy Savings of Case Studies

Homes (SFDs)

64 % av. savings

Educational

76 % av. savings

MURBs

50 % av. savings

Offices

84 % av. savings

- New Construction

- Retrofit



19

Case Example 3: Single-family home

0.05 ACH50 air tightness – world

record for tightest residential

building (at the time)

When it’s 0 °F outside, it’s still

50 °F inside (without heating)

Solar-ready

Strategy Small, airtight home, based on Passive House standard, 590 sf

HVAC HRV, heat pump water heater, electric space heater is barely needed (internal heat from occupants, lighting etc.)

Walls 28” thick walls R-90, ceiling R-140, air sealed,

Window Triple-pane, argon-filled, two low-E coatings, with fiberglass frame

20

Common Design Features of NZE Buildings

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

% o

f C

ase

s w

ith

De

sign

Fe

atu

re

New

Retrofit

Most common high performance design features

for new and retrofit buildings



21

High Performance Features = Energy Efficiency

Factor 9

Discovery 3

Hutshi

Northern Sustainable

Harmony

BC Livesmart

Alaska homeAlabama home

BertschiHood River M.S.

UAF BBC

CLSB

Zhome

Ingram

Belmont

Dorset

Painter's Hall

Bullitt

Home on the

Range

Rice Fergus

MillerBeardmore

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

140%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

En

erg

y S

avi

ng

s o

ver

Ba

selin

e (

%)

Number of High Performance Features

All Cases

Cases with PV

22

Construction Cost Increase vs Energy Savings

$(300)

$(200)

$(100)

$-

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

$800

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 140%

Incr

em

en

tal C

ost

s o

ver

Ba

selin

e (

$/f

t²)

Energy Savings Over Baseline (%)

Retrofits

New Construction

Cases with PV

A lot of PV

Baseline cost

for new

construction

The most

energy efficient



23

Factor 9

Discovery 3

Hutshi

Northern

Sustainable

HarmonyBC Livesmart

Alaska home

Alabama home

Bertschi

Hood River M.S.UAF BBC

CLSB

Zhome

Ingram

Belmont

Dorset

Painter's Hall

Bullitt

Home on the Range Rice Fergus MillerBeardmore

$(300)

$(200)

$(100)

$-

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

$600

$700

$800

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Incr

em

en

tal

Co

sts

ove

r B

ase

line

($

/ft²

)

Number of High Performance Features

Case Studies

Cases with PV

Construction Cost Increase from Adding Features

Baseline cost

for new

construction

24

Market Impact Study – BC Step Code



25

Passivhaus / Passive House

Voluntary design standard for highly energy efficient

buildings with prescriptive targets for whole building

airtightness, thermal energy demand and total energy use.

Plus requirements to achieve thermal comfort criteria, avoid

overheating and maintain mould-free indoor environment.

Two Standards and Certification Bodies: Passive House

Institute (PHI) and Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) with

similar though different metrics

In Canada, Passive House Canada is an organization that

provides education and promotion for Passive House Projects

26

Other Benefits to Passive and Net Zero Energy

Ready – Thermal Comfort, Future-Proof, Resilience

Resilience



27

Passive House Certification Worldwide

28

Passive House Certification in the North?



29

Some of our Northern BC Passive House Projects

(CZ 7A/7B)

30

Whatever The Goal – The Approach is the Same

Reduce loads (Building Enclosure First approach)

(TEDI)

Use Energy Efficiently(TEUI/MEUI)

Renewable

Energy Supply



31

So Lets Figure It Out in the North!

32

Northern Canada Research Study Questions

1. What are major challenges to achieving near net zero

or passive house levels of energy efficiency in

Canada’s North

Are there locally available resources (labour, materials) and

do technologies exist to hit targets

2. What are strategies to achieve targets including

changes to design, enclosure or mechanical systems

What is practical or feasible in Northern construction?

What kind of future technologies need to be developed to

hit targets in colder climates?

Do the targets need to be adjusted?



33

Northern Canada Research Study Questions

3. How do different energy modeling tools compare at

assessing these energy efficiency targets, do standard

assumptions apply to housing in Northern Canada

Can results from PHPP, HOT2000, and EnergyPlus™ be used as

comparable compliance paths?

4. What are the incremental costs of such high performance

buildings in Northern Canada, including remote locations?

How could costs compare between different architectural styles

and levels of articulation and between remote and urban

locations?

34

Research Study Methodology

Literature Review

What has been done in other Arctic and Antarctic buildings

worldwide to achieve very high levels of energy efficiency?

How have other countries adapted energy targets/requirements?

Energy Modelling Tool Comparison

How do different tools compare? Do they align?

Compliance Modeling

What Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) are needed to hit

different levels of energy efficiency?

Costing Analysis

What does it cost across the North to hit different energy targets?

Analysis of Barriers

What challenges exist, what solutions are or could be available?



35

Step 1: Select Representative Housing

Archetypes Appropriate for the North

and Consider Full Range of Northern

Climate Zones

36

Representative Housing Archetypes for Modeling

Single Family Dwelling

(SFD)

Simple & Articulated Form

Factor

Multi-Unit Residential

Building (MURB)

Simple & Articulated Form

Factor

5-Plex Row House



37

SFD Archetypes & Foundations

SIMPLE

ARTICULATED

Slab on Grade Footing on Bedrock Elevated (Permafrost)

38

MURB Archetypes

SIMPLE

ARTICULATED



39

5-Plex Multi-Family

40

Northern Locations for Analysis

Resolute (CZ 8 – remote)

Yellowknife (CZ 8 – accessible)

Fort St. John (CZ 7A)

Whitehorse (CZ 7B)

Fort St. John (climate zone 7a, 5,750 HDD), Whitehorse (climate zone 7b, 6,580 HDD), Yellowknife (climate zone 8, 8,170 HDD), and Resolute (climate zone 8, 12,360 HDD).



41

Step 2: Select Appropriate Building

Enclosure and Mechanical Equipment

Energy Conservation Measures

Applicable to Northern Housing

42

Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)

Start with National Building Code (NBC 2015) and National

Energy Code of Canada (NECB 2011) as minimum criteria for

building enclosure & mechanical equipment efficiencies

Building enclosure ECMs as levers to reduce loads to meet

more stringent targets

Increasing insulation R-values within wall, roof, floor assemblies

Improving airtightness

Improving window U-values (double, triple, quad pane)

Mechanical system ECMs to improve energy use efficiencies to

meet targets

Heating systems – fuel, electric resistance, heat pumps

Domestic hot water – fuel, electric, heat pump & heat recovery

Ventilation Heat Recovery



43

Practical Limits to Upper ECMs in the North

Component Upper Limit of Performance & Why?

Roof R-value R-100 (36” of fibrous insulation)

Wall R-value R-80 (2x6+16” ext. insulation w/ long screws or 24” double wall)

Slab on Grade R-value

R-40 (8-10” of foam)

Suspended Floor R-value

R-80 (24” deep truss)

Window U-value U-0.12 (best available quad pane unit)

Door R-value R-8 (best available insulated units)

Airtightness 0.15 to 0.30 ACH50 (SFD to MURB, 4x tighter than PH, extremely tight)

Space Heating Up to 1.5-2.1 COP CCASHP

HRV Efficiency Up to 81% (best avail cold-climate w/o pre-heat)

DHW Up to CO2 Heat Pump, 2.5-3.0 COP

Drain Water HR 65%

44

Why Practical Limits? What About Future Tech?



45

Step 3: Assess Net Zero Energy Ready

Performance Targets

46

Energy Standards Targeting Net Zero Ready

Program

Ta

rge

t T

yp

e

Co

mp

lia

nc

e

Str

uc

ture

En

d G

oa

l

Ap

pli

ca

bil

ity

Ori

gin

BC Energy Step Code

Energy metrics

4 or 5 Steps,

targets vary by climate

Net-zero ready

BC* BC

Passive House

Energy metrics, & comfort

Classic, Plus,

Premium

Net-zero ready

All Germany

*May be adopted on National scale



47

Metrics to Evaluate Energy Efficiency

Airtightness Mechanical

Equipment &

Systems

Building

Enclosure

Total Energy Use &

Greenhouse Gas

Emissions

TEUI /

GHGe

48

Performance Metrics – Step Code & Passive House

AirtightnessEquipment & Systems

Thermal Performance

Step Code for SFD: Step 5

≤1.0 ACH50MEUI ≤ 55-75 kWh/m²

TEDI ≤ 15-60 kWh/m²

Step Code for MURB: Step 4

N.R.TEUI ≤ 100 kWh/m²

TEDI ≤ 15 kWh/m²

Passive House ≤0.6 ACH50 PER ≤ 60 kWh/m² TEDI ≤ 15 kWh/m²



49

Problem: Different Energy Modeling

Tools Estimate Different Energy

Consumption

50

Energy Modeling Tools in Canada

SFDs (Part 9 of code)

HOT2000 for Part 9 Energy Code

Compliance/EnerGuide Program using

NBC/NRCan baseline assumptions and

protocols

PHPP used for Passive House

certification using European baseline

assumptions and protocols

MURBs (Part 3 of code)

Hourly energy models such as

Energyplus™ used for Part 3 Energy

Code Compliance using NECB baseline


PHPP used for Passive House

certification using European baseline




51

Research Questions

Acknowledgement that different energy models using

different calculation procedures with different inputs will

produce different results

Research undertaken to assess whether models could be

aligned and better understand why differences do exist

Alignment attempts made, but still large differences exist due to

different calculation algorithms

Why? To assess whether different tools could be used for

energy code compliance and if PHPP can be used as alternate

to HOT2000?

Which model is more accurate for modeling low energy

building consumption in the North?

52

Example – Differences in Energy Efficient SFDs

using Part 9 Software



53

First Attempt – Using Same Performance Inputs

and Standard Modeling Protocols

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

PHPP H2K PHPP H2K

Simple form with standard protocol Simple form with aligned protocol

Total Site Energy (kWh/yr)

Modelling results

Lighting & Appliances DHW Ventilation Space heating

54

After Many Iterations – Best Alignment?

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

PHPP H2K PHPP H2K



Modelling results




55

Example – Differences in High Performance MURBs

using Part 3 Software

Hourly Software – EnergyPlus™

56

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

PHPP EnergyPlus PHPP EnergyPlus



Modelling results


First Attempt – Using Same Performance Inputs

and Standard Modeling Protocols



57

After Many Iterations – Best Alignment?

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

PHPP EnergyPlus PHPP EnergyPlus



Modelling results


58

Further Challenges: Northern Considerations

Standard occupancy assumptions within HOT2000 and PHPP

not always applicable to the North

3 people (@50% of time) per dwelling unit. Tend to see higher

occupancies and home more of the time in remote regions. Plus

animals

Impacts interior gains (offsets heat) and increases ventilation

requirements (adds energy)

Lack of standard assumptions for plug loads in the North

Car block heaters, heat tracing equipment, cooking practices etc.

Ventilation air pre-heat/HRV defrost calculations?

Performance of Cold Climate ASHP equipment at low

temperatures?



59

What if Northern Occupancy Densities Were

Included within Energy Modeling?

Heating Demand for the SFD in Yellowknife using the theoretical ECMs beyond the highest performing practical ECMs using double the standard occupancy rate (orange) vs with standard occupancy (blue).

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

All theoretical ECMs All theoretical ECMs with standardoccupancy

Heating Demand (kWh/m²/yr)

Passive House Target

x2 occupancy

PER for the SFD in Yellowknife using the theoretical ECMs beyond the highest performing practical ECMs, using double the standard occupancy rate (orange) vs with standard occupancy (blue).

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

All theoretical ECMs All theoretical ECMs with standardoccupancy

PER Demand (kWh/m²/yr)


60

Does Increasing Occupant Density Actually

Reduce Energy?

Sensitivity analysis for occupancy for the SFD in Yellowknife. The PER increases with increased occupancy, while the heating demand decreases.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

PER Demand (kWh/m²/yr)


Number of occupants

Heating demand PER demand



61

Ongoing Research – Measuring Actual Energy Use

in Passive House Projects

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

kW

h/m

²

Predicted vs. Measured

Mar - Aug 2018

Predicted [PHPP]

Suite 1

Suite 2

Suite 3

Suite 4

Suite 5

Suite 6

62

Conclusion: Available models are not

perfect, though the best tools we

currently have for code compliance.

Need to measure actual energy use in

high performance / net zero northern

homes to refine future model inputs.



63

Step 4: Model the Baseline (Code

Minimum) Energy Consumption

64

Single Family Home Energy Modeling Results

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

Space Heating DHW Lighting &

Appliances

Space Heating DHW Lighting &

Appliances

Articulated SFD Simple Form SFD

En

erg

y U

se (

kW

h/y

r)

Climate Zone 7a - Fort St. John Climate Zone 7b - Whitehorse

Climate Zone 8 (urban) - Yellowknife Climate Zone 8 (remote) - Resolute

Using Baseline NBC 9.36 Minimum Enclosure & Mechanical Equipment



65

Single Family Home – Heating Energy (TEDI)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Articulated Simple form

National Building Code 2015

TEDI (kWh/m² GFA/yr)



66

The Challenge with Heating Degree Days (HDD)



67

MURB Energy Modeling Results

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

Space

Heating

DHW Misc.

Elec.

Lighting Fans &

Pumps

Space

Heating

DHW Misc.

Elec.

Lighting Fans &

Pumps

Articulated MURB Simple Form MURB

En

erg

y U

se (

kWh

/yr)


Climate Zone 8 - Yellowknife Climate Zone 8 - Resolute

Using Baseline 2011 NECB Minimum Enclosure & Mechanical Equipment

68

MURB Energy Modeling Results - TEDI

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


National Energy Code for Buildings 2011

TEDI (kWh/m² GFA/yr)





69

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400


National Energy Code for Buildings 2011

TEUI (kWh/m² GFA/yr)



MURB Energy Modeling Results - TEUI

70

Step 5: Iteratively Apply & Document

Potential ECMs to Achieve Step Code &

Passive House Energy Use Targets



71

Whitehorse Energy Modeling Results - SFDs

Baseline Energy Consumption: Articulated and Simple Form SFD

Space

Heating

60%

Ventilation

Fans

1%

DHW

16%

Lighting &

Appliances

23%

Articulated SFD

Space

Heating

51%

Venti lation Fans

1%

DHW

19%

Li ghting &

Appl iances

29%

Simple Form SFD

72

Upper Steps of Step Code – Near Net Zero SFDs

Baseline, NBC 2015 (9.36)

Reduction in air leakage rate from 2.5 ACH50 to 0.3 ACH50

(articulated) or 1.0 ACH50 (simple form)

Increased insulation levels within enclosure

Walls from R-17.5 to R-30 (articulated) or R-25 (simple form)

Slab from R-16 to R-35 (articulated) or R-30 (simple form)

Windows from low-conductivity doubles U-0.25 to triples U-0.17

Doors from R-4 to R-6

Increase HRV efficiency from 60% to 81% dual core no preheat

(articulated) or 70% (simple form)

Add R-12 blanket to DHW tank (articulated, only)

Add drain water heat recovery at 65% effectiveness (articulated, only)



73

Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI) - SFDs

-

50

100

150

200


TE

UI (

kWh

/m²/

yr)

NBC 2015 Step 4 (2017) Step 4 (2018) Step 5 (2017) Step 5 (2018)

-41%-28%

74

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) - SFDs

-

20

40

60

80

100

120


TE

DI (

kWh

/m²/

yr)

NBC 2015 Step 4 (2017) Step 4 (2018) Step 5 (2017) Step 5 (2018)



75

SFD Passive House Targets – Not Achieved with

Highest Practical ECMS in Whitehorse

The heating demand (left), heating load (middle), and PER (right) of both articulated and simple form SFD models in Whitehorse. The Passive House targets are shown in orange dashed lines.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100


Heating Demand (kWh/m² TFA/yr)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


Heating Load (W/m² TFA)

0

25

50

75

100

125

150


PER (kWh/m² TFA/yr)

Ventilation

Lighting & Appliances

DHW

Space heating

76

Whitehorse Energy Modeling Results - MURBs

Baseline Energy Consumption: Articulated and Simple Form MURB

Space

Hea ting

64%

DHW

17%

Misc.

Elec.

9%

Lighti ng

8%

Fa ns &

Pumps

2%

CZ 7b - Whitehorse

Articulated MURB

Space

Hea ting

59%DHW

19%

Misc.

Elec.

11%

Lighting

9%

Fa ns &

Pumps

2%

Simple Form MURB



77

Upper Steps of Step Code – Near Net Zero MURBs

Baseline, NEBC 2011

Reduction in air leakage rate from 0.25 L/s-m² at 5 Pa (2.2 ACH50)

to 0.020 L/s-m² at 5 Pa (0.15 ACH50)

Increased insulation of opaque assemblies:

Roof from R-40 to R-76 (articulated) or R-48 (simple form)

Walls from R-31 to R-61 (articulated) or R-40 (simple form)

Exposed floors from R-40 to R-70 (articulated) or R-41 (simple form)

Windows from double glazed (U-0.39) to quadruple glazed (U-0.12)

Ventilation strategy changed from in-suite HRVs with pre- and post-

heat and MUA unit supplying corridors with tempered air, to

centralized/zoned ventilation system with 81% heat recovery (by dual

core units with no preheat required) for suites and corridors.

Reduced make-up air flow rate to corridor from 20 cfm/door to

10 cfm/door (articulated)

78

Total Energy Use Intensity (TEUI)

-

50

100

150

200

250


TE

UI (

kWh

/m²/

yr)

NECB 2011 25% < NECB Step 4

-58%-52%



79

Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI)

-

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160


TE

DI (

kWh

/m²/

yr)

NECB 2011 25% < NECB Step 4

80

Passive House Levels of Performance

Articulated MURB:

Did not meet Passive House

Simple form MURB:

Reduction in air leakage rate from 0.25 L/s-m² at 5 Pa (2.2 ACH50) to 0.020 L/s-m²

at 5 Pa (0.15 ACH50)

Increased insulation of opaque assemblies:

Roof from Reff-40 to Reff-100

Walls from Reff-31 to Reff-80

Exposed floors from Reff-40 to Reff-80

Windows from double glazed (U-0.39) to quadruple glazed (U-0.12)

Ventilation system changed from in-suite HRVs with pre- and post-heat and MUA unit

supplying corridors with tempered air, to centralized/zoned ventilation system with

81% efficient dual core HRV for suites and corridors.

Reduced outdoor air rate to corridors from 20 cfm/door to 10 cfm/door.

Space heating system changed from electric baseboards to cold climate air source

heat pumps with a VRF distribution system.

Domestic hot water system changed from electric tank to CO2 heat pumps.



81

Passive House Levels of Performance

The heating demand (left), heating load (middle), and PER (right) of both articulated and simple form MURB models in Whitehorse with the maximum ECMs. The Passive House targets are shown in orange dashed lines—only the simple form MURB meets the Passive House targets

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


Heating Demand (kWh/m² TFA/yr)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


Heating Load (W/m² TFA)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120


PER (kWh/m² TFA/yr)

Ventilation

Lighting & Appliances

DHW

Space heating

82

Northern BC Smithers & Ft St John MURB Passive

House Projects



83

Whitehorse Summary of Compliance Results

SUMMARY OF COMPLIANCE WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE TARGETS USING HIGHEST PERFORMANCE PRACTICAL ECMS FOR THE NORTH

25% <

CODE

STEP CODE PASSIVE

HOUSE

(PHI) STEP 4 STEP 5

Whitehorse CZ 7b SFD – articulated Yes Yes Yes No

SFD – simple form Yes Yes Yes No

MURB – articulated Yes Yes N/A* No

MURB – simple form Yes Yes N/A* Yes

5-Plex Yes Yes Yes No

*The highest compliance target for Part 3 buildings within the BC Energy Step Code is Step 4

84

Incremental Costing Analysis

Energy Conservation Measures Costed using Northern

Canadian costing data (Previous CMHC Costing Study), with

local input and 2019 information

Focus on incremental material and labour costs (i.e. adding

extra insulation plus associated detailing) and various

mechanical equipment upgrade costs (or savings)



85

Costing – Pushing SFDs to Net Zero Ready

$-

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

$1,400

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Fort St. John Whitehorse Yellowknife Resolute

Incr

em

en

tal

Ca

pit

al

Co

st (

$/m

²)

25% < NBC 2015 Step 4 (2018) Step 5 (2018)

86

Largely a Building Enclosure Cost:

Air-Sealing & Testing, Insulation & Windows



87

Costing – Pushing SFDs to Net Zero Ready

Target Geometry Location ICC ($/m2)

Total Project

Cost ($/m2)

% Incremental

Cost

Fort St. John 324 2227 15%

Whitehorse 681 2580 26%

Yellowknife 642 2927 22%

Resolute 1370 4734 29%

Fort St. John 315 2227 14%



Resolute 1043 4734 22%

Fort St. John 1186 2227 53%



Resolute 2478 4734 52%

Fort St. John 1150 2227 52%



Resolute 2194 4734 46%

Ste

p 5

(2

01

8) Articulated

Simple Form

Hig

he

st P

ract

ica

l EC

M

Articulated

Simple Form

Recall Passive House targets were not met for SFD Archetypes in Whitehorse or Further North

88

Costing – Pushing MURBs to Net Zero Ready

Ste

p 4

ta

rge

t n

ot

me

t

Ste

p 4

ta

rge

t n

ot

me

t

Ste

p 4

ta

rge

t n

ot

me

t

Pa

ssiv

e H

ou

se t

arg

et

no

t m

et

Pa

ssiv

e H

ou

se t

arg

et

no

t m

et

Pa

ssiv

e H

ou

se t

arg

et

no

t m

et

Pa

ssiv

e H

ou

se t

arg

et

no

t m

et

Pa

ssiv

e H

ou

se t

arg

et

no

t m

et

$-

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

$450

$500

$550

$600

$650

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Art

icu

late

d

Sim

ple

Fo

rm

Fort St. John Whitehorse Yellowknife Resolute

Incr

em

en

tal

Ca

pit

al

Co

st (

$/m

²)

25% < NECB 2011 Step 4 Passive House Highest practical ECMs



89

Costing – Pushing MURBs to Net Zero Ready

Target Geometry Location ICC ($/m2)

Total Project Cost

($/m2)

% Incremental

Cost

Fort St. John 84 1887 4%


Yellowknife

Resolute

Fort St. John 19 1887 1%



Resolute

Fort St. John 287 1887 15%

Whitehorse

Yellowknife

Resolute

Fort St. John 206 1887 11%


Yellowknife

Resolute

Fort St. John 287 1887 15%



Resolute 594 5030 12%

Fort St. John 206 1887 11%



Resolute 457 5030 9%

Target not met

Target not met

Target not met

Target not met

Target not met

Target not met

Max ECM

Articulated

Simple Form

Target not met

Target not met

Step 4

Articulated

Simple Form

Passive House

Articulated

Simple Form

90

Challenges & Solutions



91

Building Articulation Has Profound Impact on TEDI

and Ability to Hit Energy Targets Cost Effectively

92

Impact of Articulation on Heating Demand

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2 2.5 3 3.5 4


Enclosure surface area to Floor area ratio

CZ 7a Fort St. John

CZ 7b Whitehorse

CZ 8 Yellowknife

CZ 8 Resolute



93

Impact of Articulation by Housing Type

Using Yellowknife Building Data as Example for PHPP Models

94

Window to Wall Ratio is Critical

Heating Demand versus window to wall ratio for the simple form SFD in Yellowknife. Each dot represents an addition of a 1.5m x 1.9m window to the façade as indicated on the graph.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%


Window to wall ratio

CZ 7a Fort St. John CZ 7b Whitehorse

CZ 8 Yellowknife CZ 8 Resolute

South

East / West



95

Higher Performance Windows Will Grow in Demand

Window performance (U-value shown as W/m2K) modelled in the compliance modelling work to meet high performance targets for the simple form SFD and the MURB archetypes.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Win

do

w P

erf

orm

an

ce u

sed

in

Co

mp

lian

ce

Mo

de

llin

g (

USI

-va

lue

)

Compliance Modelling Target

SFD Climate Zone 7a

SFD Climate Zone 7b

SFD Climate Zone 8

SFD Climate Zone 8 (Resolute)

MURB Climate Zones 7a & 7b

MURB Climate Zone 8

Code-minimum 25% < code Step 4 Step 5

Double

Triple

Quad

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Win

do

w P

erf

orm

an

ce u

sed

in

Co

mp

lian

ce M

od

elli

ng

(USI

-va

lue

)

Compliance Modelling Target

SFD Climate Zone 7a

SFD Climate Zone 7b

SFD Climate Zone 8

SFD Climate Zone 8 (Resolute)

MURB Climate Zones 7a & 7b

MURB Climate Zone 8

Code-minimum 25% < code Step 4 Step 5

Double

Triple

Quad

96

A Reoccurring Theme – Need for Higher Performance

Windows by 2032



97

Future Window Technologies Beyond Quads May Help

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 5 10 15


Window Thermal Performance (ft² F h/Btu)

CZ 7a Fort St. John CZ 7b WhitehorseCZ 8 Yellowknife CZ 8 Resolute

Triple Quad

98

Depreciating Returns - Wall/Roof/Floor Insulation

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140


Thermal performance of opaque assemblies (ft²-F-h) /Btu)

CZ 7a Fort St. John Walls CZ 7a Fort St. John RoofCZ 7a Fort St. John Floor CZ 7b Whitehorse WallsCZ 7b Whitehorse Roof CZ 7b Whitehorse FloorCZ 8 Yellowknife Walls CZ 8 Yellowknife RoofCZ 8 Yellowknife Floor CZ 8 Resolute Walls

Whitehorse



99

Depreciating Returns – Effective Opaque

Enclosure R-value (Wall, Roof, Floor Combined)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120


Effective thermal performance of overall enclsoure (ft²-F-h/Btu)

CZ 7a Fort St. John CZ 7b WhitehorseCZ 8 Yellowknife CZ 8 Resolute

Whitehorse

100

The Continued Importance of Airtightness

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0


Air Leakage Rate (ACH50)



101

Need for Local Electrical Grid Reliability and

Capacity

PHPP PER from modelling the simple form SFD with both electric (COPs ≥ 1.0) and fuel oil (93% efficient) systems.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Electric Boiler Electric Boiler Electric Boiler Electric Boiler

7a - Fort St John 7b - Whitehorse 8 (urban) - Yellowknife 8 (remote) - Resolute

PER (kWh/m² TFA/yr

Space heating DHW Appliances Aux heating/ventilation

Fuel oil approx. doubles PER

102

Need for More Efficient HRVs without Need for

Pre-Heat for Defrost

Comparison of different high performance HRV options. The 81% efficient dual core unit was used as the highest performing practical ventilation ECM instead of a 95% efficient HRV due to the additional preheat energy that would be required in the north (shown in orange for SFD in Yellowknife).

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

81% HRV, with nopreheat

95% HRV, no preheat 95% HRV, with preheat@ 0 °C

Final Energy Demand (kWh/m²/yr)

Heating,cooling, DHW, Plug loads Preheat

Highest Practical ECMs



103

Need for Reliable Cold Climate Air Source Heat

Pumps at Arctic Design Temperatures

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30

He

ati

ng

Ca

pa

city

(k

W)

Eff

icie

ncy

(C

OP

)

Outdoor Air Temperature (°C)

Manufacturer Rated Efficiency (COP)

HOT2000 Heat Pump COP

Manufacturer Heating Capacity (kW)

104

Northern Logistical Challenges – Cost and Availability

of Materials & Labour



105

1. Technology – Use best of today within practical and cost

effective means, future technology may be, but is not

guaranteed to be the solution, plus we can’t wait another 20

years

2. Minimum Energy Code Targets for Arctic need to be

adjusted from Southern Canada. Passive House Practicality?

3. Think Bigger – Community Scale Net Zero Energy Ready

3 Pathways to Achieving the

Highest Building Energy

Performance Targets in the North

106

Theoretical Technological Developments Needed

to Reach Passive House Heating Demand

Heating Demand of the simple form SFD archetype modelled in PHPP for ECMs beyond the highest performance practical ECMs, in Yellowknife. NBC 2015 baseline TEDI is shown for comparison (light blue), modelled in HOT2000.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

NBC 2015 HighestpracticalECMs

R16Windows

R120Walls

R140Floor

R150Roof

95% HRV,no

preheat

0.15 ACH Doubleoccupants

AlltheoreticalECMs





107

Theoretical Technological Developments Needed

to Reach Passive House PER

PER of the simple form SFD archetype modelled in PHPP for ECMs beyond the highest performance practical ECMs, in Yellowknife.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

HighestpracticalECMs

R16Windows

R120Walls

R140Floor

R150Roof

95% HRV,no

preheat

0.15 ACH Doubleoccupants

AlltheoreticalECMs

PER (kWh/m²/yr)


108

Adapt Energy Code Targets for Climate Zones

7 & 8 (plus new 9,10,11,12…?)



109

Net Zero Communities instead of Buildings

May be more practical way of achieving net zero energy goals

in remote regions, and already becoming a necessity to

reduce reliance on fossil fuels and reduce GHGs & cost

For buildings powered by community utility – would be

reasonable to set a “near net zero” energy budget (i.e. Step

4/5 Levels?) factored by available generation capacity

110

Key Takeaways

Literature Review

Energy Modeling Tools

Energy Compliance with Upper Steps & Passive House

Costing SFDs and MURBs

Challenges & Solutions



111

Discussion + Questions

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT

www.rdh.com

OR CONTACT US AT

[email protected] – 250-479-1110

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