2024 Lecture Topics

Description:

Available September 2024

In this lecture, we embark on an exploration of continuous commissioning in building management, unraveling its profound impact on energy efficiency and sustainable operations. We begin with a clear definition of this integral concept and its underlying processes, ensuring a solid foundational understanding for all participants. Through insightful case studies, successful commissioning initiatives are showcased, providing tangible examples of proactive management strategies that maintain building systems finely tuned over time, cut down on wasted energy, and boost energy efficiency. Beyond its immediate impact on energy efficiency, commissioning proves to be a cornerstone for early issue detection, thereby preventing potential system degradation, enhancing equipment lifespan, and reducing the likelihood of costly breakdowns. This lecture provides valuable insights into the benefits of proactive maintenance strategies.

Description:

Available June 2024

Understanding the critical role of envelope design in determining heating and cooling loads, this lecture delves into various energy-efficient design metrics, and their sensitivity analysis to discern their impact effectively. Participants will gain insights into passive envelope design measures aimed at increasing energy efficiency through strategic leveraging of orientation, shading, thermal properties, and building shape considerations. Additionally, the lecture offers insights into the window glazing properties such as U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance (VT), and emittance. Special emphasis is placed on the advantages of Low-E Glass, particularly in colder climates, enhancing participants' understanding of how such features contribute to energy conservation. Geared towards architects and constructors, this session offers resources for deeper exploration and understanding of envelope design's pivotal role in energy efficiency.

Description:

Load calculations are one of the key logistics to designing a high performing building. But, how does one capture the nuance of today’s post-covid hybrid office environments? What about conference rooms that are full in the mornings, but empty in the afternoons? For those in the Treasure Valley, ASHRAE’s design temperatures have changed – we have hotter summers and milder winters than 20 years ago. The IDL will share updated weather data sources and several load calculation tools freely available to engineers. Participants will learn the distinction between ASHRAE’s different load calculation methods – (90.1 vs 183). The lecture will cover how to use energy modeling tools to predict loads in different scenarios and apply ASHRAE 55’s thermal comfort standard during the design process. Practitioners will be able to use these tools to add dynamic loads to their designs and conduct robust post-occupancy evaluations to ensure energy efficient operation and client satisfaction.

Description:

Each year, $11 billion in energy costs are wasted through infiltration in commercial buildings according to a 2021 study from the Department of Energy. Learn how envelope design affects both comfort and energy costs in Idaho’s buildings. Participants will learn about pressure management and using it to design for passive strategies including stack and cross-ventilation and some of the inherent challenges of doing so. The lecture will cover why infiltration is especially important to manage in Idaho due to the health impacts of wildfire smoke, which can infiltrate a leaky building. The main takeaway is to design buildings that deliver clean filtered air to the occupants in a way that minimizes utility costs and maximizes comfort.

HSW Justification: The Covid-19 pandemic started a shift in building science research with a focus in Indoor Air Quality and HVAC efficiency. We have known for decades how to maintain a building's HVAC system to mitigate the spread of bacteria or particulates, however, we did not know how to do so economically. Recent research into different filter types, cycles, and smart monitoring systems have changed the performance metrics by which we judge an HVAC system. This lecture reviews recent research and applies energy modeling to project end energy use under different scenarios. Each scenario weighs the impact of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) with Non-EEMs, such as, air quality or weather pattern impacts (wildfire).

Description:

With the arrival of COVID, there has been a surge of interest in Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation. During our research, the IDL found that UV systems can actually save on operational costs by reducing fan energy. Attendees will learn about the different UV technologies available, the strength needed to kill pathogens in air streams, and how to minimize the energy used to run these systems. This lecture will draw from leading researchers such as William Bahnfleth, who chaired ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force. By installing UVGI systems in front of cooling coils, these can help prevent microbial growth and ensure better airflow throughout the building. With building occupants increasingly mindful of airborne contaminates, it’s important for architects and engineers to be aware of these systems and how they can be integrated into a building.

HSW Justification: We have know how to design building to minimize the spread or growth of bacteria and diseases, however, we have not figured out how to do with energy efficiency in mind. This topic addresses that long standing issue that was brought to the forefront because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Being able design mechanical and natural ventilation in an energy efficient while minimizing illness is direct benefit for the health safety and wellness of building occupants and should not be limited to hospitals or medical facilities.

Description:

Thermal Energy Storage Systems (TES) are gaining popularity as a way to mitigate peak energy use. This lecture will explore the use of things like ice-storage and ponds to minimize chiller and boiler use. This technology can be paired with ground-source heat pumps, radiant systems, and natural ventilation. Idaho typically has large temperature swings between the high and low temperatures (sometimes up to 30 F), which makes our state especially suited to shifting when heating and cooling equipment should operate. By understanding more about TES, engineers and architects alike can design unique configurations that can increase efficiency and enhance resiliency in their buildings.

Description:

We will examine the effect LED technology has had on energy savings, control strategies, and future implications with continued efficient lighting technology. As lighting technology becomes more efficient it will adjust codes, incentives from utilities, and energy efficiency standards. More importantly, it will change the cost benefit analysis regarding lighting, control strategies, and occupant comfort. The LED revolution for lighting is not done and, in this lecture, we will discuss the current state of LEDs as well as the direction we are going and what we might find when we arrive.

Description:

LEED Daylighting credits are one of the most difficult to achieve and requires an early investment for validation. However, investigating daylight opportunities for a project will assist in other aspects of energy efficiency, such as, estimating heating and cooling loads or integrating a building’s control systems. As such, any time spent in the early design phase investigating if a project should invest in daylighting is applicable to facets of energy efficient design that is often required for LEED projects. In this lecture we will discuss the changes from LEED V4 to V4.1 Daylighting Credits, which options work best for project types, incorporating early energy/simulation modeling into the design process, and how to run a cost-benefit analysis to determine if you should invest in daylighting.

Description:

Learn about ASHRAE’s recommendations for energy simulation aided design. This lecture will cover methods of integrating modeling into the design process to meet aggressive energy savings targets. Learn how to implement load-reducing modeling cycles early in the design process. Quantify the energy impact of design decisions in real time. And, use post-occupancy modeling to enhance building performance. Whether trying to achieve LEED, tax credits, or efficiency incentives, energy modeling can help improve the bottom line for both designers and clients.

Description:

Student enrollment in Ada County is projected to grow by 1,000 students per year for the next ten years and at least six capital projects are planned in the West Ada District alone to meet this demand. This session will cover a variety of issues facing the design of an efficient, healthy, and productive classroom environment. A quick look at the state of the last 50 years of school design will give an introduction to the problems faced by designers. This session will highlight several case studies of high performance schools in the Northwest to address daylighting, natural ventilation, and integration of mechanical systems. Each passive strategy will be addressed in detail with regional examples and performance research.

HSW Justification: Participants will learn what makes a classroom "good" through exploring four qualities of the indoor environment (Temperature, Air Quality, Light, and Noise) and how they affect a student performance.