How about simulation in the multifamily context?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James White on March 1, 2011 at 4:19pm

Hello Evan,

What are you trying to simulate or determine regarding the multifamily building?  Are you trying to determine conservation potential, assess actual energy savings, predict the impact of specific conservation measures, determine the interaction of various energy uses and occupancies within the facility, or what?

Let me know and I may be able to better answer your question.

Jim

Permalink Reply by Evan Mills on March 1, 2011 at 5:54pm

Thanks Jim.

We've launched a major effort (with ORNL) to add multifamily functionality (high- and low-rise) to the Home Energy Saver tools.  There will be separate user interfaces for occupants and for operators and other pro's....

The whole magillah - baseline, savings potential, measure-specific impacts.

We're interested in hearing from stakeholders what they would like to see in an ideal tool.

 

Permalink Reply by Andre Duurvoort on November 3, 2011 at 2:25pm

sorry for joining late to the conversation. I would like to address the problems of developing benchmarks for existing multi-family buildings. In a lot of contexts - verifying design criteria, solar virtual net metering, and performing energy savings calcs I cannot find any data in the multifamily context as to what is "normal" EUI. 

I realize the problems associated with developing a benchmark for a space where each of 300+ tenants is separately metered, so maybe this is more an institutional problem. But in the case of a gut rehab, we have tools in California to develop "energy savings analysis" but I cannot with a straight face go to a client and confirm these numbers are anywhere near reality, especially in multifam.

Maybe there are some resources out there that I haven't found yet?

Permalink Reply by Don Hynek on November 10, 2011 at 10:07am

For existing buildings, try the HUD benchmarking tool. It's at least a vague indicator of where a given MF building stacks up against a population of about 900 HUD-owned buildings.

 

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_ind...

 

Don

Permalink Reply by Craig McManus on January 22, 2012 at 4:02pm

How does one help HUD-owned buildings?

I talked with one HUD housing manager. They say an ESCO did an Energy Audit and said the only cost effective thing changing some light bulbs. They have 3-4 people /unit and I know solar water heating would be cost effective. They say they don't have the money even for the light bulbs, because congress wouldn't pass some legislation. I just want o help and don't know how to deal with HUD housing or who to talk to....

Any ideas?

Permalink Reply by Don Hynek on January 23, 2012 at 10:57am

Well, THAT'S a simple question to answer!! Got about a year??

The HUD-owned building you have in mind MAY well be eligible for low-income weatherization. And HUD and DOE would both really like to see more weatherization agencies doing work like that. But there aren't very many agencies that are ready for it. Contact me offline with enough info to ber useful -- size of building, occupancy, location, utiltiy costs, etc -- and I'll see if I can help you with some ideas.