A Thermal Performance Design Optimization Study for Small Alaskan Rural Schools

Abstract

1.0 Summary - 1 2.0 Introduction - 3 2.1 Purpose - 5 2.2 Scope - 5 3.0 A Discussion of Thermal Standards - 7 3.1 Recent Federal Government Studies - 8 3.1.1 The ASHRAE Standard - 8 3.1.2 The United States Department of Energy Standard - 11 3.2 Requirements for Standards in Alaska - 18 4.0 Life Cycle Cost Evaluation Technique - 20 4.1 Purpose - 21 4.2 Prototype Building - 26 4.3 Envelope Design Alternatives - 33 4.4 Mechanical System Design Alternatives - 34 4.4.1 Existing Practice - 34 4.4.2 Modeling of Mechanical Systems - 42 4.4.3 Maintenance and Operations Considerations - 55 4.4.4 Cogeneration Concepts - 57 4.5 Electrical System Design Alternatives - 59 4.6 Cost Estimating - 63 4.6.1 Construction Costs for Thermal Envelopes - 63 4.6.2 Construction Costs for Mechanical and Electrical Systems - 64 4.6.3 Analysis of Maintenance Costs - 69 4.7 Statewide Climate and Costs Regions - 71 4.8 Thermal Modeling Techniques - 77 4.8.1 Fuel Inputs - 78 4.8.2 Domestic Hot Water Heating Energy - 78 4.8.3 Internal and Passive Solar Heat Gain - 81 4.8.4 Building Ventilation Scheduling- 83 4.8.5 Model Output - 83 4.8.6 Model Validation - 83 4.9 Methods of Economic Analysis - 84 4.9.1 Analysis of First Costs and Renovation Costs - 86 4.9.2 Analysis of Maintenance and Operations Costs - 86 4.9.3 Analysis of Annual Energy Consumption - 89 4.10 LCC Computer Model T-Load - 89 4.10.1 Program Description - 89 4.10.2 Data Set Organization - 91 4.10.3 Building Cases Considered - 93 4.10.4 Program Output - 94 5.0 Analysis - 97 5.1 Description of Life Cycle Cost Model Results - 98 5.2 Analysis of Results - 102 5.2.1 Design Concepts - 106 5.2.2 Exterior Envelope - 106 5.2.3 Interior Energy Systems -107 5.3 Sensitivity Analysis - 108 6.0 Conclusions - 112 6.1 Optimum Design Concepts -113 6.2 Sensitivity of Results - 114 6.3 Interior Energy Systems - 115 6.4 Applicability of Results - 115 6.5 Summary - 116 7.0 References - 118 8.0 Appendices Appendix A: T-Load Computer Program Output - A-1 T-Load NES-002 - A-2 T-Load NEE-002 - A-10 T-Load NED-002 - A-18 T-Load HES-002 A-26 T-Load HEE-002 - A-34 T-Load HED-002 - A-42 T-Load NHS-004 - A-50 T-Load NHE-004 - A-60 T-Load NHD-004 - A-70 T-Load HHS-004 - A-80 T-Load HHE-004 - A-90 T-Load HHD-004 - A-100 Appendix B: Total Life Cycle Cost Minimum Plots - B-