[Equest-users] LEED Review Comment on U-Value Input Method

Pasha Korber-Gonzalez pasha.pkconsulting at gmail.com
Sat Jun 18 13:44:07 PDT 2011


Bill---you had quoted "IF the proposed building has therma mass..."

What is your take on this if the proposed building doesn't have therma
mass?  Then could the baseline use the U-value input method?

If they wanted to have massing for the baseline building all the time, I
don't think they should have used the word "if" in that statement.

pkg

On Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 3:07 PM, Bishop, Bill <wbishop at pathfinder-ea.com>wrote:

>  Another piece of the puzzle. From the 90.1 User’s Manual, section on
> Baseline Building Opaque Assemblies (p.G14 in 2004 ed.):****
>
> “The baseline building is assumed to be steel framed no matter what the
> construction of the proposed building. If the proposed building has thermal
> mass in the exterior construction and this is a benefit in a particular
> climate, then the mass is credited in the building performance rating
> method.”****
>
> ** **
>
> So delayed construction is the de facto method for modeling the proposed
> envelope, and by extension, the baseline.****
>
> ** **
>
> Bill****
>
> ** **
>
> [image: Signature in jpg form]****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On Behalf Of *Carol Gardner
> *Sent:* Friday, June 17, 2011 4:40 PM
> *To:* Daniel Knapp
> *Cc:* equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] LEED Review Comment on U-Value Input Method*
> ***
>
>   ** **
>
> But the Simulation General Requirements are for the simulation model itself
> and it's capabilities, they do not address the simulation inputs.
>
> I think this section of the code is what governs this issue:
>
> Opaque Assemblies. Opaque assemblies used for new buildings or additions
> shall conform with the following common, lightweight assembly types and
> shall match the appropriate assembly maximum U-factors in Tables 5.5-1
> through 5.5-8:
>
> But I disagree with Guarav's interpretation for these reasons. The use of
> the word assemblies might "suggest" the need to model the whole structure
> but the use of "lightweight" in the sentence, and it's location after the
> word *shall*, is the key. Those U-values in Tables 5.5-1 through 5.5-8 are
> for lightweight construction. Lightweight construction is not delayed
> construction. The Standard 90 committee even gave us a variety of wall types
> to select from on those tables so that we would have an *appropriate
> assembly maximum U-factor* to use.
>
> Anyway, that's my interpretation.
>
> Carol
>
> ****
>
> On Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 9:24 AM, Daniel Knapp <danielk at arborus.ca> wrote:*
> ***
>
>
> FYI, Simulation General Requirements as laid out in 11.2 of the 90.1 User's
> Manual specifically call for the treatment of Thermal Mass Effects in the
> Minimum Modeling Capabilities.  (see 11.1.2.3 and as already mentioned
> G2.2.1.c) and notes that "A building's ability to absorb and hold heat
> varies with its *type of construction* and with its system and ventilation
> characteristics.  This affects the timing and magnitude of loads handled by
> the HVAC system.  Simulation programs must be able to model these effects".
> ****
>
>
>
> On 2011-06-16, at 7:15 PM, Mehta, Gaurav wrote:
>
> > Michael,
> >
> > Agreed, appendix G does not specifically states that one needs to model
> delayed construction. However, going by the semantics used in Appendix G,
> one can conclude that delayed construction should be used. Consider the
> following:
> >
> > Table G3.1-5 Building Envelope, under Baseline Building Performance, part
> (b) Opaque Assemblies: states that Opaque assemblies......shall confirm with
> the following common, lightweight assembly types and shall match the
> appropriate assembly U-factors.....
> >
> > **The use of the term 'assemblies' suggests the need to model the whole
> assembly rather than only the U-factor**
> >
> > To answer your other question, how do you know what comprises of the
> baseline opaque assembly, I'll suggest use Appendix A. For example, for
> steel framed walls, see section A3.3.1 General, you'll find the assembly
> layers that you can use to model the baseline above grade walls. Similarly,
> you can use respective sections for roof, floor, etc. to determine the
> baseline assembly layers.
> >
> > If I remember correctly, somebody in the past has been kind enough to
> post the baseline assemblies that can be copied to the inp file (or imported
> into the inp file). Search the archives.
> >
> > Furthermore, eQUEST has an extensive library of materials that one can
> use, which includes the thickens, specific heat and density of the material.
> You can create your own materials by using the ASHRAE Handbook of
> fundamentals, chapter 26 (2009).
> >
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Gaurav
> >
> > Gaurav Mehta, LEED® AP BD+C
> > Sustainable Building Analyst
> > Stantec
> > 1932 First Avenue Suite 307
> > Seattle WA 98101
> > Ph: (206) 770-7779
> > Fx:  (206) 770-5941
> > Gaurav.Mehta at stantec.com
> > www.stantec.com
> >
> > The content of this email is the confidential property of Stantec and
> should not be copied, modified, retransmitted, or used for any purpose
> except with Stantec's written authorization. If you are not the intended
> recipient, please delete all copies and notify us immediately.
> >
> > Please consider the environment before printing this email.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of James Hansen
> > Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 3:09 PM
> > To: Bishop, Bill; Michael Mantai; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> > Subject: Re: [Equest-users] LEED Review Comment on U-Value Input Method
> >
> > Michael, I'd advise that you email the project coordinator (or whatever
> GBCI calls the "head" of a project review team).  Usually they will answer
> relatively quick and easy questions so that you don't have to risk
> improperly addressing a comment.
> >
> > Ask them where in Appendix G it specifically requires the time delayed
> method be used.
> >
> > GHT Limited
> > James Hansen, PE, LEED AP
> > Senior Associate
> > 1010 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 200
> > Arlington, VA  22201-4749
> > 703-338-5754 (Cell)
> > 703-243-1200 (Office)
> > 703-276-1376 (Fax)
> > www.ghtltd.com
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Bishop, Bill
> > Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 4:22 PM
> > To: Michael Mantai; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> > Subject: Re: [Equest-users] LEED Review Comment on U-Value Input Method
> >
> > Michael,
> >
> > My understanding has always been that delayed construction should be
> > used, though I can't find exact wording in Appendix G that requires it
> > other than G2.2.1(c). For other components/layers of steel-framed walls,
> > look to A3.3.1, and to Table A3.3 for assembly U-Factors for different
> > stud spacing. You should be pretty close to the required U-Factor if you
> > use the correct materials and thicknesses from A3.3. Yes, you may need
> > to tweak a layer or two to get the construction to match the U-Factor
> > exactly. As described in other posts, once you create these
> > constructions for the baseline, copy them for future models.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Bill
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
> > [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Michael
> > Mantai
> > Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 4:00 PM
> > To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> > Subject: [Equest-users] LEED Review Comment on U-Value Input Method
> >
> > We received the following comment on recent LEED review:
> >
> > "The simulation input screenshots, provided in the EAc1 modeling
> > narrative
> > report, indicate that the exterior wall and roof constructions were
> > modeled
> > as QUICK surface type (U Value Input specification method), which does
> > not
> > account for the time delayed heat flow through the constructions as
> > required
> > by Section G2.2.1(c). Revise the Proposed and Baseline models so the
> > exterior walls and roof surface types are modeled as DELAYED (Layer
> > Input
> > specification method) with the thermal mass effects of the constructions
> > taken into consideration. In addition, provide a revised LV I report for
> > each model reflecting the changes."
> >
> > Section G2.2.1(c) describes modeling software requirements, but I don't
> > see
> > anywhere else in Appendix G that specifies that thermal mass effects
> > have to
> > be included in the baseline model.
> >
> > Previous review comments on other projects have led me to believe that
> > U-value input was the correct method to set up the baseline model.
> >
> > If I revise the model to input each layer, what layers do I input?
> > 90.1-2007 Appendix G states to use steel-framed walls, and the Tables
> > provide minimum R-value for insulation and overall assembly U-value.
> > But it
> > does not appear to provide such other items as stud spacing, sheathing,
> > or
> > even what material is on the outside of the building (for exterior
> > walls).
> > Has anyone else had this type of comment before or are you using the
> > layer
> > input method for baseline models?  It seems that if I need to specify
> > layers, the resultant U-value should equal exactly the minimum U-value
> > per
> > the 90.1 tables.  That would lead me to believe that there might be
> > different combinations of layers that result in the same U-values but
> > result
> > in different energy use in the baseline, and obviously I would want to
> > have
> > the highest energy use for LEED purposes.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >****
>
>> Daniel Knapp, PhD, LEED® AP O+M
> danielk at arborus.ca
>
> Arborus Consulting
> Energy Strategies for the Built Environment
> www.arborus.ca
> 76 Chamberlain Avenue
> Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9
> Phone: (613) 234-7178 ext. 113
> Fax: (613) 234-0740****
>
>
>
>
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>
> --
> Carol Gardner PE****
>
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