Dr Tim Sharpe Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit

Resilience to Occupancy: Findings from Monitoring and Post Occupancy Evaluation projects

MEARU
Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit Based at the Mackintosh School of Architecture Over 14 year track record of high quality research into environmental architecture. Operates at a unique interface between architectural design, science based research and human factors. User-centred, low energy, eco-sensitive architecture Large number of projects that have undertaken monitoring 16 Projects in progress 1m research contracts completed or in progress Architectural 9 currently in development or proposal stages Technology Trebling research capacity over last 3 years
Architecture Science + Technology

Psychophysics

Environmental Architecture
User Participation

Users

Mastic pointing on foam backer to panel gap joint to lintol panel/wall panel Panel gap

wind passing over rooflights assists ventilation

temperature sensor switches fan off

warm air rises and vents through rooflight

line of in-situ slab

external air drawn in through lower levels

SUMMER

GENERAL DETAILS OF PROJECT Project Name Location Latitude Longitude Climate Challenge Building Type SPECIFIC DETAILS OF PROJECT Overall Dwelling Dimensions

ROBERTRYAN Net Zero energy House West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom 55.74 N 4.86 W Building predominantly designed to deal with winter heating Residential

Total floor Area: 259.2 m2

Dwelling volume: 689.47 m3

First generation wireless (+manual) TRV system

The Danfoss RA Plus-w

Context
A typical new-home built in Britain this year will be 55% smaller than one built 80 years ago. There are now 20 per cent more rooms than a quarter of a century ago Fewer large rooms and more small ones. Minimum standards for ceiling heights have reduced by 21% Windows have reduced from 1/10th of the TFA to 1/15th, which in combination with reduced oor area, is a 70% drop

Problems
Improvements in thermal standards have improved the performance of houses But not by enough Unintended negative consequences Post Occupancy Evaluation reveals: Homes often consume energy at up to 2-3 times predicted rates Measured environmental performance in housing has been consistently poor:
high temperatures poor air quality - high relative humidity, high CO2 levels reduced daylight and sunlight

Existing and increasing evidence that this is leading to problems of asthma, dust mites, fungal spores and mould, reduced well-being

Developing Methodology
Comparative performance using monitored occupancy scenarios.
Occupancy overnight and out during the day 2 periods of heating: Reasonable hot water use Occupancy within specied limits Pairing of activities between houses

Monitoring Temperature, Humidity and Air Quality (CO2) sensors all occupied rooms Temperature and Humidity in halls and bathrooms Electrical consumption, inlet and outlet temperature and humidity for the MVHR Gas and Electricity Consumption Spot readings wall surface temperatures Thermography External Weather Recording of activities - cooking, window opening, washing Detailed diaries Interview and Survey Observations

Finding the stories

House B Living Room Average 20.4 Peak 24.9 Minimum 14.1

House A Living Room Average 18.7 Peak 24.3 Minimum 13.3

Heating and Ventilation

Week 1, 2 periods of heating a day, thermostat set to 210C, TRVs set to 4
Resulted in it being uncomfortably hot - one house responded by opening windows In House A this was to the sun-space

Week 2 TRVs set to 2, more manageable temperatures, less window opening

Comparisons of a single day from week 1 and week 2 - classic window opening noted. Not seen under the same conditions in week 2 when there was a greater degree of thermal stability and improved comfort levels.

Heating and Ventilation

Week 1, 2 periods of heating a day, thermostat set to 210C, TRVs set to 4
Resulted in it being uncomfortably hot - one house responded by opening windows In House A this was to the sun-space

Week 2 TRVs set to 2, more manageable temperatures, less window opening

Comparisons of a single day from week 1 and week 2 - classic window opening noted. Not seen under the same conditions in week 2 when there was a greater degree of thermal stability and improved comfort levels.

So, its occupant behaviour...

Air Quality
Overall poorer than expected air quality - High levels of CO2 concentration.
Expected that MVHR would provide good air quality Efciencies of the MVHR systems are 96.7% and 79.1%. Good in relation to heat recovered from extracted air. Low measured ow rates for the system - worst case the scenario 6.36 l/s Equal to 0.91 l/s per person (recommended minimum of 8 l/s per person) Accessibility of MVHR for maintenance

Temperature,"Rela7ve"Humidity"&"Vapour"Pressure" "
10" 20" 30" 40" 50" 60" 70" 0"

Air Quality and occupant response

Flat"9I6,"Living"Room"Condi7ons"I"17.03.11"to"12.04.11"

Living"Rm"C"""""

Date"
0" 200" 400"

Living"Rm"ppm""""

18 Da /0 te" 3/ 19 201 /0 1 3/ " 20 201 /0 1 3/ " 20 21 /0 11" 3/ 22 201 /0 1 3/ " 23 201 /0 1 3/ " 24 201 /0 1 3/ " 25 201 /0 1 3/ " 26 201 /0 1 3/ " 27 201 /0 1 3/ " 20 28 /0 11" 3/ 29 201 /0 1 3/ " 30 201 /0 1 3/ " 31 201 /0 1 3/ " 01 201 /0 1 4/ " 02 201 /0 1 4/ " 03 201 /0 1 4/ " 04 201 /0 1 4/ " 05 201 /0 1 4/ " 06 201 /0 1 4/ " 07 201 /0 1 4/ " 08 201 /0 1 4/ " 09 201 /0 1 4/ " 10 201 /0 1 4/ " 11 201 /0 1 4/ " 20 11 "
600" 800" 1000" 1200" 1400" 1600" 1800" 2000"

CO2"Concentra7on"

Temperature,"Rela6ve"Humidity"&"Vapour"Pressure" "
10" 15" 20" 25" 30" 35" 40" 0" 5"

Air Quality and occupant response

Flat"9H6,"Living"Room"Condi6ons"H"03.04.11"

Living"Rm"C"""""

Time"
0" 200"

Living"Rm"%"RH""" Living"Rm"ppm"""" 400"

00 :0 0: 0 01 0" :0 0: 0 02 0" :0 0: 0 03 0" :0 0: 0 04 0" :0 0: 0 05 0" :0 0: 0 06 0" :0 0: 0 07 0" :0 0: 0 08 0" :0 0: 0 09 0" :0 0: 0 10 0" :0 0: 0 11 0" :0 0: 0 12 0" :0 0: 0 13 0" :0 0: 0 14 0" :0 0: 0 15 0" :0 0: 0 16 0" :0 0: 0 17 0" :0 0: 0 18 0" :0 0: 0 19 0" :0 0: 0 20 0" :0 0: 0 21 0" :0 0: 0 22 0" :0 0: 0 23 0" :0 0: 00 "

CO2"Concentra6on"

600"

800"

1000"

1200"

1400"

Occupant Control
Thermal images with control setting at lowest, then and hour later at highest Unintuitive controls All windows in the at open

Occupant Control
Thermal images with control setting at lowest, then and hour later at highest Unintuitive controls All windows in the at open

Occupant Control
Thermal images with control setting at lowest, then and hour later at highest Unintuitive controls All windows in the at open

Occupant Control
Thermal images with control setting at lowest, then and hour later at highest Unintuitive controls All windows in the at open

Effects of Laundry
EPSRC funded project over 3 years Investigating the thermal and environmental effects of domestic laundry practices Study looking at over 100 dwellings Examining energy use and measuring temperature, humidity, air quality (CO2) and fungal spores

Effects of Laundry
Widespread use of passive indoor drying - wet clothes on radiators, but little control of ventilation Poor indoor air quality - raised RH and CO2 levels Moisture, visible mould and mould spores the indications are that slowly drying fabric has an association with relatively high spore counts Thermal energy impact of passive indoor drying Electrical energy impact of washing, tumble drying and iron Primary energy used by tumble dryers was found to be signicantly more than added thermal loads from passive drying

Conclusions
Problems arising from both technical and sociological factors Technical include:
Changes in house size, volume and provision for heating and ventilation - smaller, tighter, lighter (and cheaper) Lack of robustness Some construction systems, materials and technologies not performing as expected Oversized heating provision Poor controls Lack of Building Performance Evaluation to close feedback loops back into design

gh + gs + gi = [A x U + 0.33 n x V] [Ti To] (Watts)

Sociological include:
Changes and variation in occupancy habits - e.g. small sizes leads to use of bedrooms as living spaces, more intense use by the elderly, less storage and more clutter More washing, laundry and internal clothes drying, but not provided for in design Expectation of comfort over performance Poor user understanding of systems But systems not designed for ease of use or intuition

Houses designed to standards (costs), rather than for users in respect of environmental control

Conclusions
Problems arising from both technical and sociological factors Technical include:
Changes in house size, volume and provision for heating and ventilation - smaller, tighter, lighter (and cheaper) Lack of robustness Some construction systems, materials and technologies not performing as expected Oversized heating provision Poor controls Lack of Building Performance Evaluation to close feedback loops back into design

gh + gs + gi = [A x U + 0.33 n x V] [Ti To] (Watts)

Sociological include:
Changes and variation in occupancy habits - e.g. small sizes leads to use of bedrooms as living spaces, more intense use by the elderly, less storage and more clutter More washing, laundry and internal clothes drying, but not provided for in design Expectation of comfort over performance Poor user understanding of systems But systems not designed for ease of use or intuition

Houses designed to standards (costs), rather than for users in respect of environmental control

Designing in Resiliency
Sensible prediction Design for occupancy Natural ventilation - strategy and design Mechanical ventilation - performance and control Controls Thermal mass Sunlight access User guidance Building Performance Evaluation and feedback

Designing in Resiliency
Sensible prediction Design for occupancy Natural ventilation - strategy and design Mechanical ventilation - performance and control Controls Thermal mass Sunlight access User guidance Building Performance Evaluation and feedback

Solutions
Sensible prediction Compliance tools should not be used as predictive tools Include realistic and appropriate occupancy and behaviour Make allowance for differences in theoretical and actual fabric performance If you want to predict, use prediction software or calculations And use performance data

Solutions
Design for occupancy Better understanding of occupant behavior, expectations, behavior and knowledge Design how people will use the house, particularly heating and ventilation Ergonomics for operation Base provision on design for operation, not compliance (e.g mm2 opening/m2) Robustness for varying occupancy

Solutions
Natural ventilation - strategy and design What is the purpose - remove, stufness, odours, moisture, heat? How can problems be avoided
thermal mass passive pre-heat from sun-space laundry activities - drying space

Design for operation

Is the trickle vent accessible? How do you open it when the curtains are closed? How will air circulate in the room How does provision for ventilation relate to heating?

Laundry
External and internal drying space Moisture buffering (through fabric or volume)

Solutions
Mechanical ventilation - performance and control Ensure systems are well specied for the tasks All mechanical systems fail - what is the mode of failure and repair MVHR
placement of unit for maintenance sized for wet extract or whole house boost control - measuring what and where? duct routing placement of registers short circuiting

Solutions
Controls Required whatever heating and ventilation system is used A signicant problem, not solved by smart meters - a speedometer is only any good if you have a brake Better designs + smarter systems (Conserve) For ventilation more than heating Sophistication vs reliability Placement of sensors Better if control is passive Design of information for users - dont rely on the manual Not the cheapest part of the system

Solutions
Controls Required whatever heating and ventilation system is used A signicant problem, not solved by smart meters - a speedometer is only any good if you have a brake Better designs + smarter systems (Conserve) For ventilation more than heating Sophistication vs reliability Placement of sensors Better if control is passive Design of information for users - dont rely on the manual Not the cheapest part of the system

Solutions
Environmental Stability Hard to keep small environments stable Thermal mass Mean radiant temperature - comfort Locks heat into fabric, allows more liberal natural ventilation Controls overheating Needs to be well placed Does not necessarily prevent use of timber frame Moisture buffering IAQ

Designing in Resiliency
Sunlight access Free heat sun buffer, direct gain or preheat ventilation Sunspaces provide thermal buffering and ventilation reservoir in winter Anti bacterial effects Psychological and physiological benets Amenity value Drying space

Designing in Resiliency
User guidance Better information of how homes work Handover Occupant Guidance Additional and future occupants

Designing in Resiliency
Building Performance Evaluation Evaluation to assess all of these and feed back to the beginning Post Occupancy Evaluation undertake as a matter of course Improve performance of the homes Better understanding of performance Better design Policy change

Building Performance Evaluation

Technology Strategy Board - Building Performance Evaluation - Key Facts Competition open from May 2010 for approx. two years Rolling competition with assessment of applications at 3-4 monthly intervals Open to domestic new build and non-domestic new build and major refurbishment Potential follow-on studies to evaluate changes in design, construction practice, operating strategy etc. Monitoring and evaluation must be completed by 2014 (exact date to be advised). Next application deadline September 2011 Building Performance Evaluation - a further call for funding
https://ktn.innovateuk.org/web/building-performance-evaluation-a-further-call-forfunding

Conclusions
Policy Space Standards Performance Standards
energy + IAQ

Health Funding Mainstreaming Close the loop between design and performance ww Contact t.sharpe@gsa.ac.uk 0141 353 4658