The Affordable Housing Energy Efficiency Handbook

140 Pages·2007·0.94 MB·English

The Affordable Housing
Energy Efficiency Handbook
A Guide on How to Incorporate Energy Efficiency into
Affordable Housing: New Construction and
Rehabilitation Projects
AHEEA is implemented
by THE HESCHONG MAHONE GROUP, INC.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This handbook was made possible through funding provided by Southern California Edison as
part of the Affordable Housing Energy Efficiency Alliance Program.

Disclaimer:
California Consumers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase
any additional services offered by the contractor or provider. This program is funded by California
utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Edison Company under the auspices of
the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Spanish Disclaimer:
Los consumidores de California que decidan participar en este programa no están obligados a
comprar ningún servicio adicional ofrecido por el contratista o proveedor. Este programa es
financiado por los usuarios de las compañías de servicios públicos de California y es
administrado por Southern California Edison bajo los auspicios de la Comisión de Servicios
Públicos de California (CPUC).

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
Energy Efficiency Makes Homes More Affordable.......................................................3
Energy Efficiency: Beyond Making Homes More Affordable........................................4
Unique Challenges to and Solutions for Energy Efficient Affordable Housing.............5
How to Use this Handbook...........................................................................................6
ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS, DESIGN CONCEPTS, AND PRACTICES........11
Buildings, Energy and Comfort...................................................................................11
California Building Energy Efficiency Standards: Title 24, Part 6...............................12
Integrated Design Concepts.......................................................................................17
ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES AND MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS................................27
Building Envelope.......................................................................................................27
Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Equipment...................................34
Domestic Hot Water...................................................................................................38
Lighting.......................................................................................................................45
THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION – HOME ENERGY RATING SYSTEM (HERS)..................51
Introduction to HERS Ratings....................................................................................51
The Value of a HERS Rating......................................................................................51
Finding a HERS Rater................................................................................................52
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.....................................................................................55
Responsibility.............................................................................................................55
Education and Procedures.........................................................................................55
Specific Maintenance Measures for Building Energy Efficiency................................56
FUNDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY.........................................................................................59
Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) Energy Efficiency Requirements..............59
Other Funding Sources..............................................................................................60
Lifecycle Costs versus First Cost...............................................................................61
HOUSING AGENCIES’ ROLE IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY.....................................................67
Housing Authorities....................................................................................................67
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development..............................................70
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS.....................................................................................85
Affordable Housing Energy Efficiency Alliance..........................................................85
Designed for Comfort.................................................................................................86
California New Homes Program (CANHP).................................................................87
Housing Energy Partnership......................................................................................89
Rebuild America.........................................................................................................90
Building America.........................................................................................................91
PATH..........................................................................................................................92
CASE STUDIES......................................................................................................................97
Case Study of a New Construction Multifamily Project..............................................97
Case Study of an Existing Multifamily Project............................................................98
BEYOND BUILDING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY..............................................................103
Non-Energy Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing............................103
Tenant Assistance Programs...................................................................................104
Green Building..........................................................................................................106
Photovoltaics............................................................................................................110
RESOURCES........................................................................................................................117
Residential Energy Efficiency Programs..................................................................117
Government Organizations.......................................................................................118
Energy Efficiency and Multifamily Resources..........................................................120
Building and Energy Efficiency News.......................................................................124
Building Raters and Rating Systems........................................................................124
Integrated Building Design.......................................................................................125
Building Physics.......................................................................................................125
Building Envelope.....................................................................................................125
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)....................................................127
Domestic Hot Water (DHW).....................................................................................128
Appliances................................................................................................................128
Lighting.....................................................................................................................129
Commissioning.........................................................................................................129
Finance.....................................................................................................................129
Renewable Energy...................................................................................................130
Case Studies............................................................................................................130
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Impact of Energy Burden on Low-Income Families..........................................................4
Figure 2: Primary Difference between Low Rise and High Rise Multifamily..................................15
Figure 3: Unit-by-Unit Modeling Diagram.......................................................................................16
Figure 4: Integrated Design Process Flow Chart...........................................................................17
Figure 5: Common Insulating Materials........................................................................................29
Figure 6: Representative Graphic of a Central DHW System Including Components..................39
Figure 7: Diagram of Heat Recovery System for Pre-heating of Cold Water and Space Heating42
Figure 8: Energy Factor (EF) Ranges by Water Heater Type......................................................45
Figure 9: Thermal Efficiency (AFUE) by Boiler Type....................................................................45
Figure 10: Sample HERS Bid........................................................................................................52
Figure 11: Lifecycle Cost Analysis Spreadsheet...........................................................................63
Figure 12: Impact of an Energy Efficiency-Base Utility Allowance Schedule................................68
Figure 13: EEBUA Hypothetical Project Rental Income................................................................68
Figure 14: EEBUA Income and Expense Comparison..................................................................69
Figure 15: Percent Income Spent on Utilities................................................................................70
Figure 16: A Look at the Efficiency of ENERGY STAR Products..................................................78
Figure 17: Example Energy Audit Examining the Audit.................................................................81
Figure 18: Cost of Energy Efficient Equipment versus Operating Existing Equipment.................82
Figure 19: Cost of Energy Measures.............................................................................................82
Figure 20: Designed for Comfort Incentives..................................................................................87
Figure 21: CANHP Performance Path Incentives.........................................................................88
Figure 22: CANHP Prescriptive Incentives...................................................................................88
Figure 23: HEP Program Steps.....................................................................................................89
Figure 24: Vista Hermosa Building Elevation................................................................................97
Figure 25: Base Case and Proposed Measures............................................................................98
Figure 26: Cost of Upgrade and Payback Period..........................................................................98
Figure 27: View of the Two Upgraded Buildings of LA Eco-Village...............................................99
Figure 28: Cost of Upgrades for LA Eco-Village Project................................................................99
Figure 29: Estimated Annual Cost Savings for LA Eco-Village Rehab Project.............................99
Figure 30: Financial Assistance for Utility Bills............................................................................106
Figure 31: Rebates Available for Emerging Renewable Systems...............................................113

Chapter 1:
Introduction

Chapter 1 addresses the importance of energy efficiency
in affordable housing and the challenges affordable
housing developers face.