VRF Systems for High Performance Homes in the Pacific … · VRF Systems for High Performance Homes in the Pacific Northwest Greg Davenport Kimberly Llewellyn. Introductions ... How

VRF Systems for High Performance Homes

in the Pacific Northwest

Greg Davenport

Kimberly Llewellyn

Introductions – Who are we and why are we here?

Audience survey – Who are you and what do you do when

you are not attending HEF?

How many of you have used a Ductless Heat Pump system before?

(AKA zoned comfort system)

What is “VRF” if you don’t speak building science?

Variable Refrigerant Flow

Ductless Heat Pumps also have variable speed fans

VRF + variable speed fans + zoned systems = very energy efficient!

The evolution of the zoned comfort systems

1 - In the beginning – traditional “Ductless Heat Pump” systems one compressor + one air

handler head

2 - One compressor + multiple air handler heads

3 – Hybrid systems with short duct runs using in ceiling air handler

4 – Mix and match for design flexibility – ductless and ducted air handlers can be used together

5 – Large central air handlers paired with a compressor can now be used to retrofit a home

with a traditional gas or electric furnace

6 – In the future – air source compressors will offer combined space heating/cooling and water heating

VRF energy efficient retrofits for traditional

gas or electric central furnaces

The benefits of a zoned comfort system

- Energy Efficiency – up to 33 SEER / 13 HSPF

- Provides heating and cooling

- Zoned for improved comfort and energy savings

- Design flexibility reduces or eliminates ductwork

- Improves indoor air quality

The benefits of a zoned comfort system

- May qualify for utility rebates and/or high performance

home specification programs

- Comfort and air quality are tangible qualities that a homeowner wants

and will pay for

- Lower HERS scores, energy efficiency, improved comfort, and

improved air quality to give home builders a competitive advantage

- Meets and exceeds new building code requirements for energy

efficiency

The benefits of a zoned comfort system

- Many zoned comfort systems are ENERGY STAR qualified to

ensure high quality and performance

- Many systems work with a variety of high tech smart home systems

Energy Efficiency

Inverter technology is better by design

Interstate vs old state highway

Variable speed compressor is highly energy efficient

Variable speed compressor has longer life

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air QualityPoor indoor air quality affects health, productivity, and happiness

Awareness of poor indoor air quality issues is increasing for homeowners/homebuyers

Zoned comfort systems can be part of the solution to improve indoor air quality

Workshop descriptions below are taken from last EEBA conference.

Zoned comfort systems provide better comfort and

improved energy efficiency

MILLS RESIDENCE- GA

MILLS RESIDENCE- GAMitsubishi chosen for high efficiency, flexibility

and smaller capacities

2 SEZ units were used to move air to most of

the rooms

1 wall hung was used to add personalized

control to the master suite

1 transfer fan was used to direct air from the

master bedroom to the mater bath

Cost of systems only slightly higher than traditional system with 16 seer and ductwork.

Less overall ductwork/ ductloss, easier installation and better zoning/comfort capacity.

Ductwork was easier to keep inside the thermal envelop resulting higher efficiency

MILLS RESIDENCE- GA

Transfer

fan

GE-09

2-SEZ’s

MIAMI CONDOS- FL

Project Details

• Size - 22 unit condo development

• Location - South Florida

• Unit sq ft - 1800 sq/ft – 2100 sq/ft

• Cost sq ft - $350- $375

• Sell Price - $650k - $740

MIAMI CONDOS- FL

Previous Building Problems (unitary)

• Comfort issues- caused by a problematic 3 story design, large windows and difficult load changes. Ductwork compromised by confines of truss system

• Square footage – loss of square footage due to vertical chases, and mechanical closets.

MIAMI CONDOS- FL

Basement 1st Floor 2nd Floor

SEZWall Units

MIAMI CONDOS- FL

• Old HVAC installed cost- $11,000

• Mitsubishi - $15,500

• Sq ft saved - 18sq/ft

• Cost sq ft saved - 18sq/ft x $350= $6,300

• Site prep savings- $700(framing, masonry)

• Mitsubishi total cost- $15,500- $7000 = $8,500

Product Cost and Savings

D.R. HORTON- OR

D.R. Horton- OR

Used one air share

up and one down

with Panasonic

fans.

Acheives mid to

high 40’s HERS

score.

Allowed builder to

achieve $8000 per

house incentive.

High performance home specification programs require

energy efficient HVAC systems

High Performance

Home

Low load envelope (High R

value and low air

infiltration)

Energy efficient HVAC system

Energy efficient hot

water system

Solar or other

renewable energy source

Energy efficient

lighting and appliances

Ductless Heat Pumps (AKA Zoned Comfort Systems)

in the Pacific Northwest

Utility rebates for retrofit applications

High performance home incentives for new residential

construction

Tax credits

Wood stove replacement programs

Priority green permitting for high performance homes

Regional utilities have tested and proven that Ductless Heat Pumps

(AKA Zoned Comfort Systems) are energy efficient cost effective

HVAC solutions

Many utilities in the Pacific Northwest are now offering incentives

on Zoned Comfort Systems

Rebates found on goingductless.com are for residential retrofit

applications only and do not apply in situations of fuel switching

Maybe one day we will have single family new construction rebates

for zoned comfort systems in the pacific Northwest

Regional utility website to promote Ductless Heat Pump distribution

Goingductless.com

Some Pacific Northwest Utilities offer rebates for homes that are

certified as part of a high performance new construction home

specification programs

Zoned Comfort Systems are a great pathway to comply with energy

efficient HVAC requirements of high performance

home specification programs

Below are some examples of SFNChigh performance home rebates

from utilities in our region

Energy Trust of Oregon - Energy Performance Score rebates

for qualifying single family new construction homes range

from $600-$5,000 at this time.

More reasons to build high performance homes

in the Pacific Northwest

Some communities (Seattle and Kirkland, WA) offer Priority

Green fast track permitting to builders who are building high

performance homes

Some master planned communities (Issaquah, WA and Bend, OR)

require participation in an high performance home specification program.

Tax credits for Zoned Comfort Systems

Tax credits may be available for qualifying installations of Ductless Heat Pumps. All

tax incentives are subject to change and should be verified with state/federal tax

authorities.

Federal tax credit – up to $300

Oregon tax credit– up to $1,300

Montana tax credit – up to $500

Wood Stove replacement incentive programs

Some areas in the Pacific Northwest offer incentive programs to replace

air polluting woodstoves with high efficiency heating systems

including ductless heat pumps. Incentives can be as high as $3,000. For

further information see pscleanair.org and Washington County Oregon website

High performance homes are well suited for

solar/renewable energy installation

- High efficiency VRF systems are an excellent choice for net zero and

high performance homes

- Net metering means utilities have to pay for solar/renewable power generated

- Generous state and federal incentives may be available for solar/renewable system installation

- Solar system prices are falling and system performance is improving

- Some utilities offer incentives for solar systems

- In single family new construction pre-wiring for solar is much cheaper – do it when possible

- More electric cars, smart grids, and home power storage systems are coming

Questions and comments

Thank you!