This document discusses a case study of a deep energy retrofit of a 13-story multifamily residential building in Vancouver, BC. It describes the existing building's poor energy performance and enclosure issues. A comprehensive building enclosure renewal was performed, including exterior wall insulation, new triple-glazed windows, roof and air sealing upgrades. This improved the overall enclosure R-value from R-2.8 to R-9.1. Measured energy savings from the retrofit were 19% total energy, 33% electricity, and reductions in electric baseboard heating and gas fireplace usage. Benchmarking showed the building's energy use intensity decreased from 71 to 56 kBTU/sqft per year, improving its performance significantly.

1. Deep Energy Retrofit of a High-
Rise MURB
COLIN SHANE | M.Eng., P.Eng.
RDH BUILDING SCIENCES INC.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA

2. AIA Credits
National Institute of Building Sciences – Provider #G168
Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for
AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA
members are available upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education.
As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any
method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or
product.
___________________________________________
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be
addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

3. AIA Credits – Learning Objectives
Participants will:
1. Learn how to link the performance of individual building enclosure
components in a holistic framework to achieve high-performance
buildings.
2. Explore, through built case studies, how building envelope design
determines overall energy conservation and sustainability capabilities
3. Learn innovative practices for avoiding heat loss as well as moisture
and air infiltration in enclosure design for healthy new and existing
buildings.
4. Understand the role of building enclosure commissioning in the
design, construction, and operation and maintenance of commercial
facilities.

4. 4 of
Outline
à Why multifamily buildings?
à Energy consumption & opportunities for conservation
à Case study of an energy efficient multifamily retrofit

5. 5 of
à Growing proportion of the housing stock
à Large emitters of GHGs in cities
à 55% of GHGs from Buildings in Vancouver
à Many challenges – split incentives, poorly insulated
envelopes
Why Multifamily Buildings?

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AnnualEnergyUseIntensity,
kWh/m2
Building ID
Gas Electricity - Common Electricity - Suite
Average MURB EUI
à Pacific Northwest Average EUI: 68 kbtu/sf per year
Energy Consumption and Conservation in Mid- and High-Rise Residential Buildings
http://www.hpo.bc.ca/sites/www.hpo.bc.ca/files/download/Report/MURB-EnergyStudy-Report.pdf
68 kbtu/sf

7. 7 of
102
38
10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Current Average Good Retrofit Best Retrofit
SpaceHeatingEUI,
kWh/m2
Multifamily Energy Efficiency Opportunities
90% Less Space
Heat Energy
60% Less Space
Heat Energy
Good
Retrofit
• Wall insulation to R-10
• Windows double glazed, argon fill, low-e, low conductive frame
• Air sealing
Best
Retrofit
• Wall insulation to R-18
• Windows triple glazed, argon fill, low-e, low conductive frame
• Air sealing
• Heat Recovery Ventilation
32 kbtu/sf
12 kbtu/sf
3 kbtu/sf

8. 8 of
The Approach: Passive Design
à Reduce the demand for heating, cooling and ventilation
energy through passive design strategies
à Well-insulated building
enclosure: walls, roof,
windows
à Airtight construction
à Heat recovery ventilation
à Combine with planned renewals work for cost-effectiveness

9. 9 of
Case Study: Deep Energy Multifamily Retrofit
à Started with a condition assessment
à Progressed to full building enclosure renewal,
incorporating energy efficiency measures
BE
Upgrades
1 year
M&V
Mechanical
upgrades
1 year
M&V
Monitoring
& Testing
Project
Timeline
Year 2011 2012 2013 2015 & ongoing

10. 10 of
à 13 storey multifamily
residential building in
Vancouver, BC
à 37 two-bedroom units
à Constructed in mid 1980s
à Building renewals pursued at
decision of owners to
upgrade original building
enclosure
Case Study Background

11. 11 of
Existing Building Enclosure Assessment
à Exposed concrete walls, non-
thermally broken aluminum
frame double glazed windows
à Some window interface water
leaks, air leakage
à Some concrete damage and
concerns with PT cables
à Existing walls R-4
à Existing windows R-1.8
Fig. 1.1 Original detail drawing of a window head and sill, coloured.

12. 12 of
Existing Mechanical System Assessment
à Original mechanical systems
largely in place
à Electric baseboard heating
à Gas-heated make-up air for
ventilation (to corridors)
à 14 decorative gas fireplaces
at upper floor suites – some
replaced by owners
à Hot-water boiler & tanks
replaced few times before

13. 13 of
à Replace aging building
enclosure components
à Primarily windows
à Repair water ingress issues
à Improve durability and
reduce future maintenance
costs
à Improve comfort in suites
à Create a modern aesthetic
à Increase property value
à …and save some energy
Building Enclosure Renewal – Primary Drivers

14. 14 of
Typical Year Energy Consumption
à Metered energy consumption 71 kbtu/sf per year
à Total energy costs $66,000/yr ($1,800/suite)
à Only 36% paid directly by suite owners, balance paid within
condo fees
-­‐
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
Monthly
Energy
Consumption,
ekWh
Suite
Electricity,
kWh Common
Electricity,
kWh Gas,
ekWh
Gas
46%
Suite
Electricity
36%
Common
Electricity
18%
Annual Breakdown

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AnnualEnergyUseIntensity,
kWh/m2
Building ID
Gas Electricity - Common Electricity - Suite
Benchmarking Against Multifamily Buildings
à Pre-retrofit EUI: 71 kbtu/sf per year
Energy Consumption and Conservation in Mid- and High-Rise Residential Buildings
http://www.hpo.bc.ca/sites/www.hpo.bc.ca/files/download/Report/MURB-EnergyStudy-Report.pdf
68 kbtu/sf

16. 16 of
Evaluating Existing Building Energy Consumption
à Building energy model calibrated to metered data
to evaluate energy consumption by end-use and
potential Energy Efficiency Measures
Electric
Baseboard
Heating
22%
Fireplaces
9%
Ventilation
Heating
25%
Hot
Water
11%
Lights
-­‐ Common
2%
Lights
-­‐ Suite
7%
Plug
and
Appliances
(Suites)
8%
Equipment
and
Ammenity
(Common)
16%

17. 17 of
Case Study: Window Replacement
à Options:
à Double glazed, metal frame windows
(minimum code requirement)
à Double glazed, low conductivity frame
à Triple glazed, low conductivity frame
Window Estimated Annual
Energy Savings
Estimated %
Savings
Double Glazed,
Aluminum Frames
$1,900 3%
Double Glazed,
Fibreglass Frames
$7,600 7%
Triple Glazed,
Fibreglass Frames
$11,000 10%

18. 18 of
Case Study: Window Replacement
à Incremental Payback
à Choosing a more energy efficient window will
pay back in energy savings
à Double or triple glazed windows with low
conductivity frames compared to code minimum
à Incentive programs help offset cost, improve
payback
Simple Payback Simple Payback
Including
Incentives
Double Glazed,
Fibreglass Frames
5 years <1 year
Triple Glazed,
Fibreglass Frames
14 years 6 years

19. 19 of
Building Enclosure Renewals Performed
à Over clad and exterior insulate
walls (R-16 effective)
à New R-6 tripled glazed fiberglass
windows
à New roof and deck membranes
à Improve air-tightness
à Overall new enclosure R-value
R-9.1 vs R-2.8 original
à Next – Ventilation retrofit
Existing
Upgraded

20. 20 of
Building Enclosure Renewals
à $3.6M renewals project, 7
month construction period
à Work primarily from exterior
with access to suites for
window installations

21. 21 of
Exterior Insulation, Stucco & Metal Panel Overcladding

22. 22 of
Triple Glazed Fiberglass Frame Windows

23. 23 of
Completed Building Enclosure Renewals

24. 24 of
Measured Savings
à 33% electricity savings
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
ElectricityConsumption,kWh
Calibrated Model Pre-Retrofit Calibrated Model Post-Retrofit

25. 25 of
-
50
100
150
200
250
Pre-Retrofit Post-Retrofit
EUI,kWh/m2
Miscellaneous Electrical Lights
Hot Water Ventilation Heating
Fireplaces Electric Baseboard Heating
Calibrated Model Annual Energy Savings
Measured Savings:
à 63% electric
baseboard heating
à 20% gas fireplaces
à 33% electricity
à 2% gas
à 19% total energy
= 215 MWh per year
225 177
19%
Savings
71 kbtu/sf 56 kbtu/sf

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AnnualEnergyUseIntensity,
kWh/m2
Building ID
Gas Electricity - Common Electricity - Suite
Benchmarking Against Multifamily Buildings
à Pre-retrofit: 71 kbtu/sf per year
à Post-retrofit: 56 kbtu/sf per year
Energy Consumption and Conservation in Mid- and High-Rise Residential Buildings
http://www.hpo.bc.ca/sites/www.hpo.bc.ca/files/download/Report/MURB-EnergyStudy-Report.pdf
68 kbtu/sf

27. 27 of
à HRVs to provide direct continuous ventilation to
each suite
à Suite compartmentalization – air sealing between
adjacent suites and corridors
à Measure energy savings
à Impact on occupants opening windows and space
heating energy?
Next – Proposed Heat Recovery Ventilators

28. 28 of
Outcomes
à Measured 19% overall energy
savings through passive design
retrofit
à 63% electric baseboard heating
savings
à Energy efficiency measures
implemented at the time of
planned renewals keep the
incremental cost of upgrades low
à Replicating the success of
this project is an opportunity for
the entire industry

29. Questions
COLIN SHANE | M.Eng., P.Eng.
cshane@rdh.com