Modeling, Simulation, and Measurement of a Full-Scale Integrated Energy Efficiency Retrofit Prototype for Single-Family Attached Residences in Cold Climates

10:15am – 11:15am

Shayan Mirzabeigi, LEED Green Associate and Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh

Knowledge Level: Advanced
Credits: This session has been approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH. | This session has been approved for 1.0 AIA LU/Elective. | 1 hour (60 min) of Education is eligible for 1 BSS Credit | 1 OAA Core Learning Hour | Session may qualify for PEEK CPD.
Session Topics(s): Research & Technology: R&T, Exterior Wall: EW, Restoration: RS

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, the attendee will be able to:

• Identify and explain the key components of energy-efficient retrofitting technologies for residential buildings, with a focus on prefabricated panelized exterior insulated envelope systems.
• Discuss the use of numerical tools for analyzing the hygrothermal performance of envelope retrofit assemblies by analyzing data from numerical simulations and field measurements, demonstrating competency in interpreting and applying results to real-world scenarios.
• Assess the effectiveness of energy efficiency retrofitting measures in reducing energy use intensity, applying knowledge of relevant metrics and calculation methods to quantify potential energy savings accurately.
• Develop actionable strategies for promoting the adoption of energy-efficient retrofitting technologies in residential buildings, incorporating principles of sustainability to reduce environmental impact and foster long-term energy conservation efforts.

Description
Building energy retrofitting has been acknowledged as a critical path for achieving energy and environmental targets. Prefabricated panelized exterior insulated envelope systems are emerging as a promising technology for retrofit solutions. However, there is a need to quantify panel performance relative to insulating value and airtightness. This case study investigates the use of numerical tools combined with in situ measurements to predict the performance of a full-scale integrated energy efficiency retrofit assembly installed at Syracuse University’s BEST facility. The study investigates the impact of air leakage on hygrothermal performance under varying pressure differentials, examining both infiltration and exfiltration using CHAMPS-BES. The effective R-value was measured for the retrofitted panel, including leakage and joint effects, and data was validated via field measurements. In the cold climate of Syracuse, NY, the retrofitting approach demonstrates a total 80.3% reduction in total thermal energy use intensity (EUI), including 8.3% reduction from the envelope retrofitting and 72% reduction from the mechanical pod. If fully adopted to multiple residential building types across the US, the approach could lead to significant CO2 emissions reduction associated with the potential energy savings of 531.05TWh/year.

Presenters/Authors

Shayan Mirzabeigi, LEED Green Associate

PhD Student/Research Assistant, Syracuse University

Shayan Mirzabeigi is currently a PhD candidate in sustainable construction management at SUNY ESF. He is also pursuing a second PhD in mechanical engineering at Syracuse University. He received his MS in building engineering from Politecnico di Milano, in 2020. His first degree was a bachelor’s degree from University of Tehran, in 2016. He has worked on several projects that include a diverse mixture of self-motivated, independent work as well as collaborative research. He has developed skillset and knowledge related to building energy performance, building envelope systems, and computer vision, which is being directly applied in his current research projects.

 

Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh

PhD Student/Research Assistant, Syracuse University

Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh is a third-year PhD student in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Syracuse University. She received her master's degree in building engineering from Politecnico di Milano and her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from University of Tehran. She is a recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy 2024 IBUILD Fellowship. Her research focuses on indoor air quality (IAQ) and urban environmental dynamics, highlighting occupant behavior's impact on IAQ and building energy efficiency. By examining diverse building types across different communities and income levels, her research contributes to environmental justice, offering insights for public health, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban development, especially regarding the role of building occupants.

 

Nonpresenting authors

Bess Krietemeyer, PhD

Associate Professor, Syracuse University

Bess Krietemeyer is an associate professor at the School of Architecture, Syracuse University. She brings experience in architectural design, deep energy retrofits, decision analysis tools, and academic-industry partnerships. Her research has been supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Her current work includes leading a DOE Advanced Building Construction project to develop a holistic deep energy retrofit for LMI residences in cold climates. Additionally, she is working on projects through the DOE EPIC program focused on equity and health in grid-interactive and energy efficient buildings, the NREL Building America Program, and the NYSERDA Energy to Lead program focused on the energy and health benefits of deep energy retrofits.

 

Rui Zhang, PhD

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Dr. Rui Zhang works as a postdoctoral research associate in the Transportation Science and Buildings Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Zhang graduated from Syracuse University with a master's and doctorate in mechanical engineering. She focused on modeling computational fluid dynamics, indoor air quality, and building energy consumption throughout her MS. Later, she studied the impact of atmospheric corrosion on computer technology in data centers for her doctorate.  Dr. Zhang’s current research focuses on energy-efficient retrofit solutions for residential buildings, bio-based building materials, and building air leakage and moisture detectors. She also develops bio-based vacuum insulation panels.

 

 

Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, PhD

Professor and Executive Director
Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, Syracuse University

Dr. Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang is professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and executive director of SyracuseCoE at Syracuse University (SU) in Syracuse, New York.. He has over 30 years of research and teaching experience in Built Environmental Systems, with over 200 publications. His research ranges from multi-scale BES from nano/micro-scale in porous materials to buildings and urban environment, involving engineering, architectural design, and health and human performance. He served as US expert to several International Energy Agency Projects (IEA-EBC Annex 20, 68, 78, 86 and 92) in building energy efficiency and indoor air quality, and as president of International Association of Building Physics (2018-2021). Zhang is a fellow of ASHRAE and ISIAQ. He is the current editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Ventilation and associate editor of Science and Technology for the Built Environment.