Advanced Energy Audit/Conservation/ Efficiency Residential Energy Audit Project Report

March 15, 2012

Members: Judson Bateman (Introduction, Major Equipment List, Summary) Pamela Sanchez (Compiling, Cover page, Energy Conservation Measures/Recommendations, Appendix) Kevin Schwartz (Executive summary, Utility Analysis) Jeffrey Zse (Facility Overview)

Introduction The objective of this project was to conduct an ASHRAE Level 2 residential energy audit. The audit includes an in-depth analysis of historical energy consumption, an extensive building walk-through, and then a detailed list of potential improvements. The historical energy analysis requires collecting natural gas and electric bills from at least the last year. The site visit includes temperature readings, inspecting HVAC systems, documenting appliances, lighting assessment, and a large number of reference photos. All of the data collected is analyzed to determine the various energy loads and inefficiencies. The site visit analysis enables the team to assemble a comprehensive list of both practical and capital-intensive improvements. 9316 Saint Andrews Place was chosen for the energy audit because of the houses unique size and large number of occupants. The house has four split-levels, seven bedrooms, and eight occupants. These factors, combined areas of obvious inefficiency, demonstrate the dire need for an energy audit. An energy audit would help cut costs to large natural gas and electric bills by implementing improvements to reduce areas of inefficiency.

Executive Summary

After conducting a Level I audit of 9316 St. Andrews Place, a 1200 square ft home occupied by 8 college students, it is clear while there are some measures being taken to conserve energy, there are many places where improvements can be made. The house is not your average residential home. Housing 8 college students, the home consumes more energy than your average residential home. This is because each occupant has many appliances that draw substantial energy, such as refrigerators, televisions, laptops, and stereo systems. Additionally, there is a pump used for the pool in the summer, which consumes a considerable amount of energy. Because there are so many more appliances being used energy needs to be conserved in other areas in order to save the occupants money, and make the building more efficient. There are average daily energy usages peaking around 90 kWh in the summer, and staying around 40 kWh in the winter, and energy usage appears to be directly proportional to outdoor temperatures, and average natural gas costs of 100 dollars per month, though this varies seasonally. During heating seasons electricity is used mainly for lighting, cooking, food storage, heating, and hot water. Heating uses 10% of that electricity, with lighting using a substantial amount (38%). During cooling seasons, heating does not use electricity, however the pump for the pool uses an extremely high 23% while cooling requires 23% as well. If this pump were cut off all together the occupants would save a lot of energy. There are several low cost improvements that can easily be done to save energy. This includes covering the fireplace, insulating the hot water lines, securing air filter covers, and

changing incandescent lights.

These measures would prevent heat loss due to improper

insulation. Additionally, air gaps can be sealed in sliding doors, and curtains can be placed over windows in summer months to decrease solar heat gain. Finally, the thermostat can be replaced, as it is heating beyond the desired temperature, using more energy than desired and making occupants uncomfortable. These measures would take very little time, money, and resources, and would quickly be paid back through energy savings. Some capital investments such as replacing current utilities with more efficient ones would also save energy and money, though it would take time to pay that back. Replacing most of the televisions would take hundreds of years to pay back, so they are not practical. However, replacing other appliances, such as the refrigerators, could pay back within 20 years. This is still a relatively long time. Very quick paybacks would be replacing the light bulbs with more efficient ones, which would pay themselves back within a year. These improvements are

definitely suggested and would be worth it immediately. Finally, an energy recovery ventilator (made by Honeywell) in exhaust air could pay itself back within 3 years and save hundreds of dollars a year. This improvement is also suggested to improve energy savings in the house. Research shows that the house would receive a relatively low energy star rating. We are striving for a high rating in order to save energy and money. Because of this, improvements need to be made throughout the house. While some would be simple and take little time and investment, others require larger investments and more time for installation. Regardless, they are all suggested since they will end up paying back the occupants in the long run.

Utility Analysis/ Historic Energy Usage and Cost

4.1 Electric Energy Analysis Historical electric energy cost is shown in figure 4-1. (Figure 4-1)

Monthly Electric Energy Consumption

Energy Consumption (kWh) 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2-Jul 10-Oct 18-Jan 28-Apr 6-Aug 14-Nov 22-Feb 1-Jun

Billing Month

Summer season is the months with most electric energy consumption because of the pool recirculation pump and vapor compression cycle of the heat pump, which accounts for 46% of the total electric energy consumption during cooling season.

Electric energy distribution was calculated based on pepco monthly energy estimation for appliance and inspection from energy audit.

Average Electric Energy Distribution for cooling seasons is shown in figure 4-2 (Figure 4-2)

Average Electric Energy Distribution during Cooling Seasons

2% Hot Water 6% Food Storage 7% Cooking 16% Other 23% Lighting 23% Cooling 23% Pool CirculationPump

Pool circulation pump is always on for the cooling seasons for sanity purposes. Because of the number of lights that was installed, lighting energy was a significant amount of the total energy usage. However, only 4 people lived in this house during cooling seasons, food storage and cooking electric demand is reduced.

Average Electric Energy Distribution for heating seasons is shown in figure 4-2 (Figure 4-2)

Electric Energy Usage during heating seasons

3% 10% Hot water Heating 11% Food Storage 12% Cooking

38% Lighting 26% Other

During heating seasons, a total of 8people live in the house and therefore food storage and cooking energy demand increases to 11% and 12% respectively. Hot water and Space heating were mainly provided by natural gas furnace, which the electric energy that go into these categories are mainly pumps.

Figure 4-3 shows the Seasonal Temperatures last year provided by Pepco. (Figure 4-3) Seasonal Temperatures

Seasonal Temperatures
Avg Temperature (Deg F) 100 80 60 40 20 0 1/18/2007

4/28/2007

8/6/2007

11/14/2007

2/22/2008

6/1/2008

Billing Month

(Figure 4-4) Electric Energy Usage vs Average Daily Temperature

Electric Energy Usage vs Avg Daily Temp

3000 Energy Usage (kWh) 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Avg Temperature (Deg F) Energy Usage vs Avg Daily Temp Linear (Energy Usage vs Avg Daily Temp)

Electric energy usage is linearly proportional to the average daily temperature, shown in figure 4-4.

(Figure 4-5) Heating and Cooling Degree Days for the year of 2011

Heating and Cooling Degree Days

1000 Degree Days (Deg F * Day) 800 600 400 200 0 1/18/2007 4/28/2007 -200 Heating Degree Days Cooling Degree Days

8/6/2007 11/14/2007 2/22/2008 Billing Month

6/1/2008

Pepco provided the heating and cooling degree days for the year of 2011 shown in figure 4-5. March and October were the two months that the house does not require lots of cooling nor heating. This is true is general.

(Figure 4-6) Monthly Electric Energy Cost

Monthly Electric Energy Cost

400.00 350.00 300.00 250.00 200.00 150.00 100.00 50.00 0.00 6-Feb 7-Jan 7-Dec 5-Nov 6-Oct 7-Sep 5-Aug 7/72011 6-Jun May,6 Apr,6 7-Mar 9-Feb 11-Jan 9-Dec 8-Nov Monthly Electric Energy Cost

Figure 4-6 shows the monthly electric energy cost.

4.2 Natural Gas Analysis

Figure (4-7) Natural gas cost for the year of 2011

Natural Gas Payments

300.00 250.00 Monthly Cost ($) 200.00 150.00 100.00 50.00 0.00 2-Jul 10-Oct 18-Jan 28-Apr 6-Aug 14-Nov 22-Feb 1-Jun Billing Month "Natural Gas Monthly Payments" Average Payment

Figure 4-7 shows the natural gas cost for the year of 2011 compared to the average natural gas consumption. (Figure 4-8)

Monthly Natural Gas Usage (Therms)

1000 800 600 400 200 0 4-Nov

4-Feb

4-Nov

4-Sep

4-May

4-Mar

4-Aug

4-Feb

4-Apr

Figure 4-8 shows the natural gas usage in Therms. Peak energy demand occurs during heating

4-Mar

4-Oct

4-Oct

4-Jun

4-Jul

4-Dec

4-Jan

4-Dec

4-Jan

seasons, which is from December to March, as expected. Natural Gas usage was calculated using the rate provided by Washington Gas, the natural gas supplier of this house, shown in figure 4-9.

(Figure 4-9) Monthly natural gas rate

Facility Overview

5.1 Building Envelope (Figure 5-1 Overall view of the house)

The house is located in 9316 Saint Andrews Place, College park Maryland. The building envelope of the house is about 1200sqft, with an estimated interior area of 2400sqft. It has two floors and two basements. As shown figure 5-2, many trees are surrounding the house, creating dome shape shading and therefore only global horizontal incidence of light can contribute to the house.

Houses in this area are built in the 1960s (city-data.com). Wall insulation was estimated to be R10 and made of fiber glass batts , shown in figure 5-2

(http://www.mge.com/images/PDF/Brochures/Residential/ExteriorWallInsulation.pdf). (Figure 5-2 Insulations)

Half of the windows are single pane with a U-factor of 1.2, located in the first floor and the first basement (figure 5-3 and 5-4).

(Figure 5-3 1st basement window)

The other half of the windows are double pane and air filled with a U-factor of 0.5 by inspection, which is located in the second floor and the 2nd basement.

(Figure 5-4 1st floor window)

(Figure 5-5 interior door)

(Figure 5-6 2nd basement door)

(Figure 5-7 1st basement sliding door)

Refer to figure 5-5, 5-6 and 5-7, doors in general are made of wood and windows and they are very poorly insulated, which was estimated to be R-3 and R-2.

(http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10170)

Because of the lack of repair and maintenance, the house has lots of infiltration going through windows and doors (Figure 5-8). In addition, the fireplace that is located in the 1st basement is also a major area contributing infiltration because it is not completely sealed, shown in figure5-9.

(Figure 5-8 holes in 1st basement sliding door)

(Figure 5-9 fireplace)

5.2 HVAC and HVAC Controls

HVAC The HVAC system for this house has three major components, Standard heat pump by Carrier (figure 5-10) Humidifier (figure 5-11) Natural gas furnace (figure 5-12)

These three major components were renovated in 1999.

The heat pump was estimate to have a SEER number of 15 since the current model developed by Carrier is 20.5. (http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/acheatpumps/heatpumps/index.shtml) The humidifier was rarely used and therefore is neglected. The gas furnace has a capacity rating of 160,000 BTUh, which is provided for space heating, dryer and water heating (Figure 5-13).

(Figure 5-10 condenser)

(Figure 5-11 Humidifier)

(Figure 5-12 gas furnace)

(Figure 5-13 gas furnace information sheet)

(Figure 5-14 Connections)

The heat is supplied from a 6 main duct that is connected to the furnace and has a 4 duct and tees off to the water tank (Figure 5-14) and the dryer (Figure 5-15).

(Figure 5-15 gas dryer)

State of Maintenance

(Figure 5-16 air filter)

(Figure 5-17 refrigerant line)

(Figure 5-18 condenser)

The main supply air of the HVAC system is very clean because the filter is replaced every month, and figure 5-16 is a picture of air filter being replaced after 4 days. Also, the condenser is very clean as shown in figure 5-18. The refrigerant line is also well insulated, which is shown in figure 5-17.

(Figure 5-19 supply air terminal)

The supply air terminal however, is never being clean which and is shown in figure 5-19. This can be the area that affects the coefficient of performance of the HVAC system.

HVAC Controls

(Figure 5-20 Thermostat)

The control mechanism of the HVAC is very simple, with a thermostat setting at one temperature (figure 5-20).

5.3 Lighting and Lighting Controls Table 5-1

CFL (14W) FL (120V) Incandescent (100W)

Indoor lights Outdoor lights 37 CFL (23) 3 6 FL (120V) 0 2 Incandescent (150W) 150

Table 5-1 shows the number of lights that is installed in the house. Figure 5-21 and figure 5-22 represents the CFL lights being used inside the house. Figure 5-23 is a typical incandescent light used outdoor. (Figure 5-21 typical ceiling light)

(Figure 5-22 typical ceiling light 2)

(Figure 5-23 Outdoor incandescent light)

The majority of the light is CFLs, but replacing remaining incandescent with CFLs will certainly have additional savings.

5.4 Domestic Hot Water

(Figure 5-22 water tank)

The water tank is located behind the gas furnace and is showed in figure 5-22. The capacity is 50gallon and is connected to a 4 duct hot air supply, presumably having a water to air heat exchanger within the water tank.

Refer to figure 5-14, about 40,000Btuh is supplied for hot water.

(Figure 5-23 domestic hot water pipe)

Hot water supply is transported by copper pipe , but it has no insulation wrap around the copper pipe.

Energy Conservation Measures and Analysis The capital intensive improvements have been analyzed according to need, frequency of use, capital cost, yearly savings, and payback period. The first selection is made for the things that have higher frequency of use because these are the ones that lead to higher savings. Out of all the possible changes, the recommended improvements are the ones that have a higher yearly savings and shortest payback period. For the houses lighting, current energy consumption is $183.81 per year. The recommendations are to change the current halogen/incandescent light bulbs to LED Phillips light bulbs. These changes will save $95.48 per year and the payback period ranges from 1.24 to 1.69 years or less than one year and nine months. For the houses refrigerators, current energy consumption is $369.12 per year. The recommendations are to change the current Kenmore, Frigidaire, GE and Danby refrigerators to an SPT Energy Star compacts refrigerators. These changes will save $40.48 per year and the payback period ranges from 19 to 24 years. For the houses dishwasher, current energy consumption is $217.58 per year. The recommendations are to change the current Maytag dishwasher to a Samsung DMT300RFB. These changes will save $176.32 per year and the payback period is 1 year and 10 months. The next recommendation is to install water to water heat exchanger to recover hot water from shower. Hot water accounts for 10% of annual energy usage due to 8 people taking showers every day. This is 50% energy recovery of hot shower water. The annual energy cost is $3988.54 and the yearly savings $199.4 per year. The payback period is 1 year.

The last recommendation is to install energy recovery ventilator in exhaust air. The capital cost is $725 and duct work totals $850. There is 35% energy used in heating and cooling, forced convection (3-28%), around 20% for this house. The current annual energy cost is $3988.54 per year. The energy recovery ventilator will provide a saving of $280 per year with a 3 year payback period. These changes will save at least $792 per year. The other appliances such as TVs, oven, ceramic tops, and radio do not need to be changed due to the small savings or long pay back periods.

23WCFL 14W CFL 150W 100W 100W halogen 0 5

Lighting
new cost per year

USD $

10

15

20

120 100 80 Years 60 40 20 0

Lighting Pay Back Period

Pay Back Period

Jennair 23 Avanti Danby 3.2 GE 3.2 Frigidaire 3.1 Kenmore 3.9 Kenmore 4.6 0 20 40 new cost per year

Refrigerators

USD $

60

80

100

120

100 80 60

Refrigerators Pay Back Period

Years

40 20 0 Pay Back

Sanyo 26" LCD HDTV Sony 32" LCD HDTV Vizio 32" LCD HDTV Vizio 37" LCD HDTV Epson 47" LCD HDTV Toshiba 52HM84 HDTV 0 20

TVs
new cost per year old cost per year

USD $

40

60

1000 900 800 700 600 500 Years 400 300 200 100 0

TV Pay Back Period

Pay Back Period

Major Equipment List Refrigeration Jenn-Air full size double-door refrigerator (22.7 cu ft total, 720 kWh per year, door seal in poor condition) Kenmore 4.6 cu ft miniature refrigerator (2010, Energy Guide rated at $37/year or 348 kWh per year) Kenmore 3.9 cu ft miniature refrigerator (2009, Energy Guide rated at $36/year or 340 kWh per year) Frigidaire 3.1 cu ft miniature refrigerator (2009, Energy Guide rated at $36/year or 337 kWh per year, Energy Star appliance) GE 3.2 cu ft miniature refrigerator (2008, Energy Guide rated at $35/year or 328 kWh per year) Danby 3.2 cu ft miniature refrigerator (2009, Energy Guide rated at $35/year or 330 kWh per year) Avanti 4.06 cu ft miniature refrigerator (1987, Model 51R6, estimated 400 kWh* per year) *http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16579854/Database-of-Dorm-Size-Refrigerators---WattWatchers-of-Texas Kitchen

Maytag electric ceramic top oven (MES5752BAW) top burner wattage (2) 1200 W, (1) 2700 W, (1) 2500 W

Maytag microwave (MMV1153BAW, 1000 W) Maytag dish washer (MDB6000AWW, 6.5 A, 120 V, 60 Hz, 12.0 A Max Load)

Laundry Washer- Whirlpool WTW559OVQO Dryer- GE (22,000 btu, no part number or product data could be found)

Televisions Epson 47 LCD HDTV (280 W, uses 1 W even when in standby mode) Vizio 32 LCD HDTV (58 W, Energy Star rating) Vizio 37 LCD HDTV (70W, Energy Star rating) Sony 31.5 LCD HDTV (67 W, Energy Star rating) Sanyo 26 LCD HDTV (55.2 W, Energy Star rating) RCA 52 HD52W23 (230 W, rarely used)

Computers There are 8 laptop computers used in the house. There are also various printers/scanners associated with each computer. Assuming the average computer consumes 50 W when in use, then the total power usage is 400 W. This is the demand if all 8 computers were in use at the same time. Miscellaneous

Hot Water Heater- (50 gal capacity, 40,000 btu, Energy Guide rated at $315/year and 258 therms, 3 duct)

Beverage-Air Keg Cooler (measured 17.5 W, 1/5 hp compressor, 7.8 cu ft, Energy Star rating, door seal in poor condition)

Dynamo pool pump (3450 rpm, 230/115 V, 8.0/16.0 Amp, 60 Hz, purchased in 2008, the pump runs 24/7 during the summer months)

Summary The residential energy audit has shown that there are multiple areas in which the house could improve its energy efficiency. The large number of occupants means that there are a significant number of electronics and appliances that are difficult to eliminate. However, replacing the two large TVs with more efficient models would save over $50 per year. Another significant finding is the large peak in summer energy consumption. This is most likely due to a combination of cooling and the pool pump. Since the pump runs 24/7 during the summer months, it accounts for 23% of the energy usage during cooling months. This non-essential cost would provide significant savings if not used. Lighting is estimated to account for 38% of the electric usage, there for it would be quite beneficial to replace the few incandescent lights. The house is a rental property; therefore, these low-cost or quick payback investments would be beneficial to the tenants. The capital-intensive investments would not be appropriate for the tenants to invest in, but would be worthwhile for the property owner to pursue. While capital intensive, some of these changes would only take 1-3 years to provide return on their investment. The property owner would want to invest in these improvements because the house could then be advertised as an energy efficient property, thus attracting tenants. Some other simple fixes that were discovered during the energy audit site visit were a missing furnace filter cover and an unused fireplace. Some type of insulated covering over the fireplace hearth would limit infiltration and heating losses. Covering the filter would address potential furnace safety issues and possibly improve furnace efficiency. Simple changes such as these could save money, energy, and improve environment stability.

The relatively low energy efficiency of the residence proves that the group was justified in their perceived need of an energy audit. The combination of historical energy data and on-site analysis determined both minimal and extensive improvements.

Appendix

price $/kwh

0.13799 $ old cost/year 12 12.05 16.87 1.69 2.77 45.81268 46.9166 46.50263 45.26072 45.26072 42.7769 96.593 369.12325

Old appliance 100W halogen fl25 100W incandescent 150W incandescent 14W CFL 23WCFL Kenmore 4.6 Kenmore 3.9 Frigidaire 3.1 GE 3.2 Danby 3.2 Avanti Model 51R6 Jennair 23 JCB2388AR

number cap cost 6 0 2 0 1 0 37 0 3 0 kwh 0 332 0 340 0 337 0 328 0 328 0 310 0 700 total= 0

new applicance LED 15yrs philips LED 15yrs LED 15yrs phillips GE 21710 15 Watt GE 21710 15 Watt SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge SPT mini fridge

$ cost of $ new savings per new (W) new cost/year payback period (yr) year 17 13 2.05 1.306532663 59.7 13 13 1.57 1.240458015 20.96 17 40 2.05 2.699055331 14.82 13 13 1.57 108.3333333 0 17 13 2.05 18.05555556 0 kwh total= 95.48 274 179 37.80926 22.36543877 8.00342 274 179 37.80926 19.6544765 9.10734 274 179 37.80926 20.59040395 8.69337 274 179 37.80926 24.02213794 7.45146 274 179 37.80926 24.02213794 7.45146 274 179 37.80926 36.03320692 0 545 1,979.99 75.20455 92.57286059 0 total= 40.70705

OLD TVs Toshiba 52HM84 HDTV Epson 47" LCD HDTV Vizio 37" LCD HDTV (XVT373SV) Vizio 32" LCD HDTV (XVT323SV) Sony 32" LCD HDTV (KDL32EX600) Sanyo 26" LCD HDTV

kwh 273.75 306.6 81.03 81.03 93.075 194.91

cap cost 3299 2499 659 559 599 699 totall=

$ old cost/year 37.7747625 42.307734 11.1813297 11.1813297 12.84341925 26.8956309 142.1842061

New TV Sony 46 LED EX523 Sony 46 LED EX523 Vizio E370VL LCD Vizio E320VL LCD Sony BX330 LCD Sanyo DP32671 LCD

new (kWh) 71.17 5 71.17 5 76.65 53.65 5 73.36 5 118.2 6

$ cost of new

$ new cost/year 9.821438 25 9.821438 25 10.57693 35 7.403853 45 10.12363 635 16.31869 74 64.06599 72

payback period (yr) 35.3804073 9 30.4436063 6 924.889997 7 124.156968 6 120.965537 4 32.9017857 6

989 989 559 469 329 348 total=

Ceramic Top Maytag Electric (MES5752BAW)

Frigidaire (FFEC3024LB)

Watts kWh Cap Cost 1200 438 1214 1200 438 2500 912.5 2700 985.5 Total 2774 1200 438 494.99 1200 438 2000 730 2500 912.5

Convection Oven GE JKP70DPWW Frigidaire FGEW2765KB Pool Heater

Bake Broil (W) (W) kwh 2100 3400 1450 3400

420 290

Pool Pump Dynamo 340106 (1.5 HP) Hayward Power-Flo LX (1.5 HP) Radio

Voltag Amps e (V) (A) Power (kW) 115 16 1.84 1.1

Dish Washer Maytag

cap kwh cost $ old cost/year kWh/y Cap r Cost 1576.8 0 217.582632 1576.8 0 217.582632 1576.8 0 217.582632 new (kWh) $ cost of new $ new cost/year payback period (yr) 3.12697844 2 3.53340008 1.98492973 3

New Dishwashers Samsung DMT400RHS/XAA Frigidaire Samsung DMT300RFB

279 900 299

559.99 329.99 349.99

38.49921 124.191 41.25901

Microwave Maytag MMV1153BAW GE JVM150SNSS Key Bridge aprox. 250 1000 365 (discounted) 950 346.75 233.99

Hot Water

BTU

kwh/y r

cap cost

Kenmoor 33115 GE GEH50DNSRSA

40000

10268 4.72 1856

622.99 999.98