ASHRAE Journal - September 2013 - 60

2013 ASHRAE TEcHnology AwARd cASE STudiES

kBtu/Ft 2 ·yr

kWH (tHouSandS)

on-site energy production was taken
20
into account.
18
16
With a super-insulated building
14
and ground source heat pumps for
12
heating and cooling, domestic hot
10
water (DHW) heating became the
8
6
largest single end use in the build4
ing. This is driven by three shifts
2
of six people living in the building
0
Mar. aPr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
aug. SePt. oCt.
nov. deC.
Jan.
FeB.
continuously, cooking, laundering
2012
2013
clothes, and showering. To reduce
90.1-2007 BaSe
90.1-2007 ProPoSed
aCtual groSS
aCtual net (aFter Solar)
the high DHW load, low flow plumbFigure 1 Eastside Fire and Rescue Station 72 modeled and actual energy use.
ing fixtures and six large solar thermal preheat panels were used. The
ground source heat pump system finishes heating the
90
hot water.
80
The proposed building energy model performs 58% bet70
ter on a cost basis than the base case building modeled
60
using the LEED 2009 Performance Rating Methodology
85.0
82.0
50
(ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 Appendix G). The base
40
30
building energy model predicted an energy use intensity
61.3
20
2·yr (193 kWh/m2·yr). The proposed
32.5
(EUI) of 61.3 kBtu/ft
10
22.3
building model, including on-site generation, came in at
0
2·yr (77 kWh/m2·yr). Actual bills indicate that
regional
CBeCS 2003 aSHrae 90.1- aSHrae 90.1FS72
24.3 kBtu/ft
average
2007 BaSe 2007 ProPoSed aCtual PaSt
before the contribution of the solar electric system the
12 MontHS
building is performing at an EUI of 28.4 kBtu/ft2·yr (90
Figure 2 Comparison of regional fire stations’ net EUI.
kWh/m2·yr). With the contribution of solar panels, the
EUI is reduced to 22.3 kBtu/ft2·yr (70 kWh/m2·yr).
Figure 2 shows the EUI of a sample of regional Northwest finishes are also extremely low in volatile organic comfire stations. These stations were part of a stratified ranpounds (VOCs).
dom sample of commercial buildings evaluated under
The ventilation system was designed to meet ASHRAE
the NW Regional Commercial Baseline Assessment. The
Standard 62 requirements with 100% outside air supplied
EUI of Fire Station 72 is 30% of the regional average and
continuously to all habitable spaces via an energy recovery
less than 50% of the 2003 national benchmark for fire
ventilation (ERV) system. Continuous exhaust is provided
and police stations (in the Commercial Building Energy
to depressurize areas where air pollutants are expected
Consumption Survey [CBECS]).
including bathrooms, copy area, storage closets, and the
exercise room. A custom tailpipe exhaust system is conIndoor Environmental Quality
nected to the trucks as they enter the equipment bay to
Interior finishes were selected that provide a healthy
keep exhaust fumes out. These pipes detach automatically
indoor environment, including hard, durable, cleanable as the trucks are driven out for an emergency call and consurfaces that prevent dust buildup. Polished concrete
tinue exhausting for two minutes.
floors are used throughout for ease of cleaning, as well as
Radiant heating and cooling throughout maintains
more efficient heating/cooling transfer from the radiant a constant comfortable temperature with no drafts or
slab. Small area rugs are provided in sleeping rooms for air delivery noise. ASHRAE Standard 55 design calculacomfort. The station is built with 77% Forest Stewardship tions indicated the radiant slab could maintain comfort
Council (FSC) certified wood. At least 20% of the finishes criteria for all but a few cooling design hours each year.
are made from recycled content, and more than 90% of
Actual performance has exceeded design expectations.
the construction waste was recycled. All materials and
While initially skeptical, the fire fighters have reported
60

ASHRAE JouRnAl

ashrae.org

Septem ber 2013

ASHRAE Journal - September 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - September 2013