Fundamentals of Building Performance – Client Case Study

QUESTION

Case:

Your clients own a home in Laramie, Wyoming and are looking for cost-effective recommendations to save on their energy costs. The client requires the simple payback period for each recommendation to be less than 10 years. Here are some details about their home:

• Constructed in 2014

• 2,000 square feet

• Two levels (1,000 square feet per level, main living level is upstairs)

• Three bedrooms (master, kid’s bedroom, and home office)

• Two bathrooms

• Three occupants

o One works from home 40 hours/week in the third bedroom

o The other two are at work/school for those same 40 hours/week

• Building Envelope:

o Roof: R-30 insulation

o Walls: R-19 insulation

o Windows: dual-pane with manual blinds, circa 2014

o Basement level is unfinished, but insulated with R-19 walls

• HVAC:

o Gas furnace, 92.1% AFUE

o Split AC system, 11 SEER

o Gas fireplace upstairs (Lennox circa 2014)

o Ceiling fans in living room and master bedroom

o Manual wall-mounted adjustable thermostat

• Lighting:

o 100% Compact Fluorescent lighting throughout (recessed lights in the ceilings)

o Manual lighting controls (wall switches)

• Water Heating:

o Gas water heater, 0.58 Energy Factor

o Conventional showers (2.5 gallons per minute flow)

• Appliances (all conventional, no Energy Star rated):

o Refrigerator

o Deep Freezer (upright)

o Washing Machine (front-loading)

o Electric Clothes Dryer

o Dishwasher

o Gas Stove and Oven

• Interior Finishes:

o Hardwood floors upstairs

o Concrete in basement

o White painted interior walls

• Energy Costs:

o Natural Gas: $0.70/therm

o Electricity: $0.11/kWh

• Basement has the same lighting and windows as upstairs

Your recommendations must be presented in a typed report. Your report must include three practical energy efficiency / conservation recommendations to lower energy costs. Your report will be graded using the following rubric:

Sample Solutions

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