INNOVATION November-December 2016

heating lower than modelled—likely due to windows being opened. Air leakage was reduced by 55 percent, verified with whole-building airtightness testing before and after the retrofit. A year-by-year energy-consumption comparison illustrated at least two years of persistent energy savings of 20 percent compared to the historic data—right on target. In addition to measurement and verification of energy savings, a cost–benefit analysis assessed both the building enclosure

upgrades already implemented and heating system energy- efficiency measures that could be implemented in the future. Results of the economic analysis indicate all the implemented energy-efficiency measures are cost-effective, with some providing more benefit than others. The building enclosure upgrades—yielding a 20 percent energy-efficiency improvement—demonstrate: • Incremental capital costs of $11.94/m 2 ($60,000 total), net of energy incentives, or a 1.7 percent increase in the project budget • Nearly $53/m 2 ($265,000 total) in net present value

• Internal rate of return of 34 percent • Simple payback period of two years Additional Upgrades Possible The research project reviewed possible additional upgrades to The Belmont that are specific to the ventilation and heating systems: 1. Installing in-suite heat recovery ventilators to provide continuous fresh air along with air sealing between suites; 2. Replacing in-suite gas fireplaces; and/ or 3. Replacing the make-up air unit with a high-efficiency natural gas unit. Combined with the previously implemented building enclosure upgrades, these improvements would facilitate a 30 percent reduction in whole-building energy use. Additionally, the heating system upgrades would save more than 670 GJ in natural gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 39 percent, improve site energy use intensity by 0.56 GJ/m 2 (156 kWh/m 2 ), and provide a 13 percent internal rate of return with a seven-year simple payback period. EnerPHit Study A separate 2016 study, sponsored by the City of Vancouver, the City of New Westminster and BC Hydro, showed that, with other additional upgrades, the building could meet EnerPHit, the passive house retrofit standard. This standard targets a heating demand of 25 kWh/m 2 regardless of the type of mechanical heating equipment installed. The Stage One and Two energy-efficiency measures noted above would facilitate an estimated 42 kWh/m 2 , as modelled in the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software. In addition, addressing thermal bridges, further airtightness improvements, and possibly use of higher solar-heat-gain glazing could have reduced heating demand to 24 kWh/m 2 , if they were implemented at the time of the renewal.

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