Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality

What is PassivHaus?

What is PassivHaus? In Building Science Corporations feature article this month, John Straube looks at the PassivHaus criteria and makes a comparison to low-energy prototype houses build as part of the US Department of Energy's Building America research program.

RBc: I graduated from N.A.I.T.’s Building Construction Engineering Technology program in 1983 which means I was studying the developments from the 70’s Saskatchewan Conservation House, sat in on a 1981 presentation on vanEE’s air to air heat exchanger, studied double wall framing techniques, radiant heating and solar systems, saw the beginnings of the 1980’s R2000 housing program in Canada, and wrote a paper on a then unknown technique of spraying gunite on insulated block walls to form an airtight insulated building envelope.

HRV/ERV’s and Passivhaus are getting so much buzz on the internet and yet as Straube points out, the Passivhaus concept was inspired by the work of SRC and Canada’s National Research Council and it’s 1977 Saskatchewan Conservation House. Yes...everything old is new again and almost 30 years have passed since graduating and outside of us old guys who know the past, the internet is buzzing about these things like they are the new holy grails about to save the world.

I grew up in Saskatchewan and have been to the Saskatchewan Conservation House. The house wasn’t built to save the world it was built because it is freaking cold here in Canada and energy was becoming expensive and igloo construction in Saskatchewan wasn’t a good alternate since it gets freaking hot in Saskatchewan in the summer...On the other hand all those melted igloos could have been converted to hockey rinks in the winter…hmmm.

30 plus years later it still gets cold in Canada and the reason for high performance homes is still the same...most of us building fanatics from the 70's and 80's feel like we're living Bill Murray's life in Groundhog Day

Read Dr. John Straube article on PassivHaus – reality checks are always a good thing.

Building envelope integrates thermal/pv solution

Building envelope integrates thermal/pv solution

We came across this innovative integrated thermal/pv solution which lends itself well to new buildings and retrofits. As it relates to the thermal component - in principle using the building envelope as a surface to collect and discharge heat makes sense and though we haven’t come across any research papers or design methodologies to study – it is an approach that would have benefits determined by similar design considerations of roof mounted collectors, i.e.: location, orientation, collector performance, etc. We'll see more of these creative solutions as industry begins the massive task of bringing the inventory of inefficient structures into the modern world high performance buildings.

Photo credit: Dawn Solar's Combined Heat and Power System: Dawn Solar Thermal System with PV tiles during construction.

Number One Morning Show Warms Up To Hydronics

Number One Morning Show Warms Up To Hydronics

HPAC, together with its columnists, team up to bring hydronics to the small screen

 

Toronto, ON – Things are heating up at Citytv’s Breakfast Television (BT) with the premier appearance of HPAC Magazine columnists Robert Bean and John Siegenthaler slated for the fall. “Siggy and Bean” will showcase the benefits of water-based heating using working models of a variety of hydronic heating products. The Toronto segment is expected to be the first in a series that will include Citytv’s markets in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.

 

Robert Bean is a registered engineering technologist in the building construction engineering discipline. He is known for telling it like it is with the consistent message of remaining true to achieving optimum comfort for building occupants. Bean hosts www.healthyheating.com, a not-for-profit educational resource for consumers and professionals alike. A popular speaker and trainer throughout North America, he is a regular contributor to HPAC Magazine on the subject of indoor environmental quality.

 

A passionate advocate of good design and simplicity in hydronic systems, John Siegenthaler is well-positioned to offer consumers practical advice on system performance and expectations. A principal of Appropriate Designs, Siegenthaler is also an expert in integrating renewable technologies and hydronic heating. He is a solar and hydronics columnist with HPAC Magazine.

Stay tuned for updates on the premier of Siggy and Bean on the Canadian television scene.

 

About BT:

Breakfast Television broadcasts weekdays starting at 6:00 a.m. on Citytv. Owned by Rogers, Citytv has stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Each of the television stations reflects the flavour of the community: the serious commentary, the opinion, the celebrations and the unpredictability.

 

About HPAC Magazine:

More than 18,000 qualified industry professionals subscribe to Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (HPAC) Magazine. Editorial features focus on: heating, plumbing, refrigeration, hydronics, air conditioning, business and marketing. HPAC also produces: the National Buyer’s Guide & Wholesalers Directory (both in print and online), a French-language sister magazine, Plomberie, Chauffage & Climatisation (PCC), and monthly e-newsletters. For details, please visit www.hpacmag.com .

RBc: John (Siggy) and I (The Bean) are looking forward to working with HPAC and Rogers on this consumer education piece...it's no coincidence smart consumers make informed decisions.

Building knowledge for a sustainable tomorrow - Construct Canada

Uponor Seminar Series Building knowledge for a sustainable tomorrow.

Date: December 4, 2008 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 802 T, in conjunction with Construct Canada.

RSVP, visit www.uponorrsvp.ca and sign up.

The deadline to RSVP is November 28, 2008.

Are you interested in hearing from Canada’s foremost leaders in sustainability, hydronics and fire safety? Uponor is bringing these experts together under one roof in the inaugural Uponor Seminar Series. This must-attend industry event will feature discussions on:

• Some of the emerging trends in sustainable construction presented by John Godden:

John Godden brings more than 20 years of experience to the table as a designer/hands-on builder, working on projects that include the "Clearsphere" CHBC EnviroHome. A graduate of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies program at the University of Waterloo, he is heavily involved in the R2000, ENERGY STAR, EnerGuide and CMHC Healthy Home programs. John dedicates his time and experience to improving the quality of energy efficiency, air quality and building practices throughout the home building industry. John is currently working with twenty Greater Toronto Area builders who are constructing LEED model homes.

• The impacts of radiant-based HVAC systems on sustainability presented by Robert Bean.

Robert Bean is a registered engineering technologist in the field of building construction engineering. He is an avid student of industrial design (the way things look) and indoor environmental ergonomics (the way things feel). In 2007, Robert was selected as a distinguished lecturer for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers speaking on the Human Factor in HVAC, Radiant-based HVAC Systems and Snow Melting Systems. He is the editor for The Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality, and www.healthyheating.com, a not-for-profit website on anthropology, architecture and indoor environmental ergonomics.

• How an effective residential fire safety system can provide homeowners with a safe and sustainable home presented by John Caruso.

John Caruso is the Chief Fire Prevention Officer for the City of Vaughan. John has been involved in fire service for 23 years, spending 21 of those years in fire suppression. He is also the Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Vaughan.

Encore - Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center

Photo Credit: © Jonathan Hillyer/Atlanta

As promised, we've created an entire page at www.healthyheating.com to share some outstanding architectural and mechanical features of an award winning LEED building.

Special thanks to Anne Taylor of Lord, Aeck & Sargent Architecture and Ann Kohut of Kohut Communications for allowing us to share the details of this project with our readers. 

The entire press release, project photos and contact information at this link - click here.

High Performing Buildings

The first issue of High Performing Buildings published by ASHRAE.

HPB is unique in that it focuses on buildings that not only aim to meet sustainability objectives but that actually achieve them. Case studies include measured performance and lessons learned. All of this is developed through the support of leading practitioners in sustainability.

For more information about High Performing Buildings, visit www.HPBmagazine.org

RBc:  Great magazine and readers will find radiant heating and cooling in several of the noted projects.

Pennsylvania Library A Must Read

"Reduction of air infiltration through the use of concrete walls and insulated windows will significantly reduce operating costs and enhance indoor air quality and maximize natural daylighting. Low-E double-glazing; energy efficient mechanical systems, including radiant floor heating and operable windows; and the possible use of a geothermal heating system will also contribute to a LEED rating." Excerpt from Frederic Schwartz Selected to Design Pennsylvania Library Openness and connection to nature, as well as historic relevance, were important factors for the design jury. by Meaghan O'Neill Interior Design · March 15, 2007 Read more about this radiant heated library.

RBc: As an avid fan of higher learning this project is top notch in my books.

Origins of Ondol

“Gudeul refers to an under-ground heating system, or to the floor or room that is heated by the system. Folklore expert Son Jin-tae presumes that “gudeul” originates from “guun dol,” or “baked stones.” “Ondol,” or warm stone, was created by a combination of Chinese characters to describe “gudeul” before hangul was invented.” Excerpt from A warmer backside for Asia by You Sang-chul, Asia news editor at the JoongAng Ilbo., Copyright by Joins.com, Inc.  Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization, All Rights Reserved 

RBc; History shows the Koreans using this style of heating over 23 centuries ago. As noted by Wendy Croix, Interior Design School Review Columnist on a Business Week interview with Korean design professor Lee Kun Pyo, the, “Traditional Korean homes, even the poorest, have heated flooring--the “ondol gudeul” --an interior feature Western designers now think of as a luxury for upscale homes.”

This is another example of us North American’s taking the most basic stuff - make it expensive and tag it as a luxury item…it just doesn’t have to be this way.

Discuss this topic at our online forum.

Tonights Webinar On Radiant Cooling and Heating

Tonight Only, 8:00 P.M. EST, March 07th, 2007 One Hour Live Webinar on Radiant Cooling and Heating - Register Here.

Common Ground

I want our readers to meet John Vastyan, whom I've known for several years. John specializes in marketing communications and business-to-business PR, serving the radiant heat, hydronic, geothermal, plumbing & mechanical, HVAC and broad construction markets. His website has a wealth of information in the articles he's published. John has also worked with our current Carlson Holohan Industry Award of Excellence Winner, Mr. Dave Yates.  Spend some time there, you'll be glad you did.  Visit Common Ground