Manual [ 7.2mb] - University of Colorado Solar Decathlon

Transcription

UNIVERSITY
OF
COLORADO
SOLAR DECATHLON 2005
BioS(h)IP User Manual
2
4
Communications
6
Documentation
11
Hot Water
12
Comfort Zone
14
Lighting
18
Energy Balance
20
Menu
22
CSI Specs
24
CU Team
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Architecture
Dwelling
2005 CU Solar Decathlon Team
University of Colorado at Boulder
UCB 314, ENVD Building
Boulder, CO 80309-0314
[email protected]
notice
All information herein is subject to revision.
For the most up-to-date information please visit our website:
solar.colorado.edu
2
Architecture
CU’s BioS(h)IP Reducing Petroleum
in Architecture
The BioS(h)IP represents the first comprehensive plan
demonstrating how a residence can be powered by
renewable energy, constructed from low-to-no petroleum
materials, and mobilized and transported using biodiesel
power.
The CU Home, the “BioS(h)IP”, was designed based on the
team’s mission statement: “To integrate natural materials
and innovative technologies in an environmentally
conscious, publicly-accessible, modular solar home
design.” The result is a low-to-no petroleum singlechassis solar mobile home that incorporates a patented
structural insulated panel system called “BioSIPs”, which
was invented by the CU Team specifically for their Solar
Decathlon competition entry.
The CU Home is one that you can truly “sink your teeth
into” since materials used in the home’s construction and
furnishings read like a health food menu. They include
agricultural products and by-products such as soy, corn,
coconut, wheat, canola oil, citrus oils, sugar and even
chocolate. Building from “low-to-no petroleum” resources
means that less energy was used in manufacturing the
BioS(h)IP’s materials and thus, the home itself. This
feature combined with renewable energy systems for
powering the residence, enables the CU Home to have
an embodied energy that is dramatically lower than most
homes built in the United States If more residences were
built and operated using such techniques, overall U.S.
energy use and associated pollution emissions would
be greatly reduced. In addition, the natural materials in
the CU BioS(h)IP come together to create a clean and
comfortable environment both inside and out, which, the
team predicts, will yield a home with increased interior
comfort and measurably cleaner indoor air.
Like a sailing vessel, the BioS(h)IP employs spatial
efficiency as a design focus. Living space in the residence
is at a premium so each corner of the house serves a
specific function: public, private, technology, storage.
Nooks and crannies were sought out as viable storage
space, and shelving. And, like a ship that fills its sails
with renewable wind energy for travel, the BioS(h)IP fills
its tank with renewable biodiesel fuel. The commitment
to use fuel from waste oils and plants is based on the
CU Team’s low-to-no petroleum pledge for the Solar
Decathlon Competition and beyond.
One of the major architectural features of the BioS(h)IP is
its hinged roof, which can be hoisted into its permanent
lofted position upon arrival at its destination or lowered
and shut for travel. When lifted, the movable roof yields
a vaulted ceiling framed by clerestory window “slices”
that lend an openness and lightness to the architecture.
The lifted roof produces an upper plane of natural light
that enhances the home’s atmosphere both day or night.
Daylight, moonlight, natural and artificial light can be
enjoyed through the roof’s glazing slices. The mechanics
of the movable roof system are simple: four large hinges
on the east end hold the roof secure; the west end of the
roof can then be lifted from 16’ to a final 18’ height through
a series of off-the-shelf struts and jacks obtained from a
local farm supply store; and steel tie-rod provides lateral
support for the overall system.
FIRMNESS…
Freedom from Petroleum
Modular construction offers a strong, economical,
lightweight building method. However, since the words
“modularity” and “environmental” are practically mutually
exclusive, the CU Team developed a new environmentallyderived structural insulated panel system (SIP) from
waste paper and soy insulation for the construction of
their BioS(h)IP home. The BioSIPs system are low-tono petroleum, lightweight, high thermal performance
modular panel product which is being patented by
the team. The BioSIP design is based on research by
Architecture Professor Julee Herdt, the CU Team, and
John Hunt, research engineer at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory in Madison,
Wisconsin. To create BioSIPs a process called engineered
molded fiber technology, or EMF, is employed. In EMF
technology, cellulose sources such as waste paper,
wood waste, and agricultural by-products are molded
into structural layers, which are then used to sandwich
layers of high R-value expanded soy foam insulation. In
March 2005, the CU Team tested their BioSIP prototypes
at CU’s Structures “Smash” Laboratory. The prototypes
met SIP compression and shear testing requirements and
were approved for use in the BioS(h)IP home.
By using BioSIPs, the CU Team has created a strong,
highly insulative, lightweight, “green” solar residence
from a structural system with reduced dependence on
petroleum-based manufacturing. The Team believes that
independence from oil for both construction and operation
of America’s homes is a new and critical definition of
“Firmness” in Architecture.
UNIVERSITY
OF
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of the BioS(h)IP
The range of low-to-no petroleum construction resources
for the BioS(h)IP includes the following material categories
materials and systems used in construction of the
CU Home have met all required testing standards and
building codes. Please refer to the “Materials” section for
descriptions of these five categories:
1 Biobased materials from cellulose sources
2 Recycled content
3 Re-used
4 Sustainably harvested
5 Low-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)
The CU Team collaborated with Genesis Homes of Colorado,
a division of Champion Homebuilders Corporation and one
of the world’s largest modular homebuilders, to create the
BioS(h)IP’s custom chassis. The CU Team also worked
with the Colorado Division of Housing (CDH), which is
the regulatory agency that monitors factory-built housing
and manufactured homes in Colorado. Building materials
were selected based on their cost-effectiveness in order
to demonstrate that innovative technologies can be made
accessible to the average homeowner.
The BioS(h)IP has been sold to Prospect New Town, a
New Urbanist community in neighboring Longmont,
Colorado. Prospect will include the home as a cuttingedge renewable energy architectural feature in their
Solar Village, which is currently under construction.
CU plans to work with both Genesis and the CDH on
future modular, environmental, solar housing since this
residential typology is developing as a major part of CU’s
Architecture and Planning curriculum.
COMMODITY…
Function and Comfort through Renewable Energy and
Natural Materials
In order to create a home in which architecture and
engineering share importance as driving forces in design,
CU Team members were asked to practice switching
roles. That is, architecture students were required to
“think like engineers” and engineering students became
involved in all aspects of design. This process aided the
team in creating a home in which technology enhances
all surfaces, planes, and volumes of the building. Active
solar architectural window awnings containing crystalline
photovoltaic cells to ensure the BioS(h)IP would have
ample power as the shading on the south of the home
while powering the house’s outdoor lighting. A 6.8 kW
SunPower photovoltaic system was integrated into the
standing seam metal roofing. SunPower makes some of
the most efficient solar electric panels on the market.
Instead of hiding the solar system’s batteries, the Team
paid homage to this equipment by housing it in a carefully
crafted framework of exposed, salvaged structural
aluminum that forms the west end of the home. The
BioS(h)IP will be the second Zero Energy home on the
Front Range of Colorado and the first ever in Longmont.
A Zero Energy home is one that, over the course of a
year, produces more energy than it consumes. Following
the competition, the CU Team plans to take advantage
of the mobility of their residence to help promote local
renewable energy initiatives in Colorado such as Colorado
Amendment 37’s residential solar set-aside provision and
favorable net-metering laws. This amendment will help
the state’s homeowner’s make solar energy a part of
their everyday lives.
DELIGHT…
Discovery of Hugeness within Small Spaces
Planning for the solar mobile BioS(h)IP resulted in several
space-saving options for singlewide mobile home design.
The CU Team used a modular radiant in-floor heating
system to free interior spaces of ductwork. This opens
up a number of spatial arrangements and wall placement
possibilities for mobile home design. By having an open
ceiling plane, the CU Team was also able to consider the
upper vertical planes of the home as programmable space.
During the construction process, ladders were placed
throughout the home as the CU Team members climbed,
peeked, and peered over walls and under surfaces of
the movable roof. Rather than simply running a wall
to the ceiling of a space, Team members considered
development of a storage ledge, a sleeping loft, a shelf,
or a skylight. Once discovered, a nook or cranny became
sacred and respected as usable space for the future
occupants of the home.
Designing for people with disabilities was a priority that
pushed the CU Team to consider physical movement
through the home in challenging, interesting ways. The
result home feels ample despite its modest size. The CU
Team worked with ADAPT, a Boulder-based disabilities
activist group, in planning the interior of the home. A
number of BioS(h)IP features were designed specifically
for people in wheelchairs - kitchen sink, dining counter,
outdoor recycle bins - however, Prospect New Town
wished to keep ADA features to a minimum so that the
home would be marketable to a number of potential
clients.
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Dwelling
Dwelling Design as a Group Effort
How does a group of architecture students, engineering
students, and faculty advisors collectively design a
home that speaks to comfort, atmosphere, lifestyle,
and buildability? Before beginning their 2005 Solar
Decathlon Project, the CU Team determined the
individual team member’s similarities - the commonalties
in their personal values, goals, and lifestyles. The group
spent time identifying the thread that holds the group
together. What they discovered was a set of core values
that provided common ground through which they were
able to approach their home’s design. Mutual to all CU
Team members, students and faculty alike, was a strong
commitment to environmental stewardship. In Colorado,
environmentalism is a focus in education, work, leisure
pursuits, and day-to-day living. In addition to the “green”
edge, the CU Team’s visions of how they live today and
how they’ll live in the future was based on another shared
understanding. The members believed that transition and
travel are pursuits that most will seek throughout their
lifetimes.
Having established these philosophies of environmentalism
and mobility, the next important discussion was whether
a home that reflects these values would appeal to a broad
audience. Is there a market for housing that offers green,
mobile, and adaptable design? The CU Team sincerely
hopes that decisions for their 2005 Solar Decathlon
home design will reach a wide audience and spark
discussions regarding new ways of living that support
comfort, affordability, health, and the freedom to enjoy
new vistas in everyday living.
Livability and Buildability
The terms “livability” and “buildabilty” go hand-in-hand in
the architecture of CU’s Home. The CU Team used natural
materials combined with a newly-developed biobased
modular building system invented at CU to create a solar
mobile home that can travel to a number of sites and
provide a comfortable, beautiful dwelling option for many
lifestyles. The green philosophy guided the CU Team in
making decisions throughout all levels of the project from construction and interiors to the meals served to the
judges, as well as the selection of cleaning supplies and
household products. The CU Home, called the “BioS(h)IP”,
is a green-built residence with a movable roof for compact
travel. After setting sail for Washington D.C., the BioS(h)IP
will reside on CU’s campus for eight months before
establishing permanent residency in Prospect New Town,
a New Urbanist community in Longmont, Colorado.
Modular construction offers a strong, lightweight,
repeatable, and economical building method that is
suitable for many locations. However, since the words
“modularity” and “environmental” are practically mutually
exclusive, CU took on the challenge of developing a new
environmentally-based structural insulated panel system
from waste paper and soy for construction of their
BioS(h)IP home. In the construction industry, structural
insulated panel systems are referred to as SIPs so
the CU Team named their product “BioSIPs”. BioSIPs
will be demonstrated for the first time on the National
Mall in CU’s BioS(h)IP Home. CU also collaborated with
Genesis Homes of Colorado, a manufacturer of mobile
homes, which is part of Champion, the world’s largest
modular homebuilder. The CU Team also worked with the
Colorado Division of Housing (CDH), the regulatory agency
that monitors factory-built housing and manufactured
homes in Colorado. The CDH has presented the CU
Team with documentation stating that the solar powered
BioS(h)IP establishes acceptable new methods for mobile
home design. The CU-Genesis-CDH Team plans to work
together on future green, solar mobile home projects,
(SOMO’s).
A Real Client, A New Urbanist Community
Since the BioS(h)IP was pre-sold to Prospect New Town,
CU worked closely with them throughout the design
and construction processes. The BioS(h)IP will reside
in Prospect’s village of tree-lined streets that connect
residences to parks, public amenities, shops, and offices
are directed toward a view of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
The BioS(h)IP will be the first solar mobile residence in
the village and it will reside amidst a range of detached
houses, townhouses, courtyard dwellings, apartments,
and live/work lofts. The CU Team worked with Prospect’s
town planner, Andreas Duany, and other members of
the town’s team to create a home design with strong
street appeal, a cohesive architectural datum, and a color
vocabulary responding to neighboring architecture. While
one would expect an environmental home to include a
palette of soft earthy tones, the BioS(h)IP breaks with
such tradition to include a range of materials and finishes
in bright citrus hues of lime greens, reds, oranges, and
yellows, all of which fit perfectly within Prospect’s vibrant
architectural language. Visitors to the CU Home will be
delighted by the lively “green” materials and finishes that
are used for the residence’s interior and exterior features.
From the energy efficient fiberglass window frames to
the Forbo natural linoleum and the cornstarch plastic
dishes on the bamboo kitchen shelves, the CU Team
demonstrates that environmental design can be as vivid
and stimulating as its petroleum-based counterparts.
UNIVERSITY
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The BioS(h)IP is a home that will live gracefully within
Prospect’s well-established New Urbanist community.
CU worked closely with Prospect to create a floor plan
that flowed easily within as well as to the outdoors and
adjoining residences and landscapes. If the home proves
to be successful in providing a comfortable, beautiful,
and marketable residential option for Prospect, CU will
continue working with them to develop the first New
Urbanist Solar Mobile Village within this community.
The BioS(h)IP Lifestyle
The BioS(h)IP is designed to suit the lifestyle of
individuals who travel, have careers, commute to work
through alternate methods such as bike and bus, and
who spend most leisure time outdoors. Since the
home’s future residents may have several jobs in their
lifetime, the dwelling is constructed on a durable sevenaxle steel chassis for ease of mobility. Its roof can be
lowered and shut, like a suitcase, for easy travel. The
home is “zero energy”, which means it produces more
energy than required for it’s yearly operation and for
powering its integrated electric car. The home has a
composting toilet so that residents can live off the public
utility grid by simply adding a water tank for domestic
water needs.
The floorplan for the BioS(h)IP is an open concept design
with natural lighting provided from windows and from
roof clerestory “slices”. The CU Team employed several
new space saving options for singlewide mobile home
design including a radiant in-floor heating system, called
Warmboard. By using Warmboard, interior spaces are
freed of ductwork and the upper spaces of the home
are programmable. This, combined with the functional
space created when the movable roof is vaulted into
place, results in a voluminous feel within a relatively
small volume.
The clerestory slices also contribute to usefulness of
space from floor to roofline. This fenestration provides
north light to a small but accommodating sleeping loft
accessed from the kitchen. Southern clerestory light
allows edible wheatgrass plants to grow as a green
“frieze” at kitchen ceiling height. The kitchen is a sunny
and open space with a countertop that provides dining
space or work surface for a laptop. An adjustable,
wall mounted flat screen TV serves the surrounding
kitchen, living, and sleeping loft spaces. The kitchen
sink is situated for its soon-to-come view of the Rocky
Mountains. A home office is positioned below a northfacing skylight off the bedroom. The bedroom has a
south-facing window with active solar awning, which
contributes to the home’s energy collection.
The student who designed the bath was given the task
of creating a spa in the modest space allotted. Natural
bamboo wall covering, tumbled river rock floor, vibrant
orange-red tile, and an elegant sink on a recycled slab of
wood provided the solution.
The CU Team closely monitored construction in order to
take advantage of potential nooks and crannies - spaces
that are generally closed-in during standard building
processes. The results are a deep shelf at ceiling height
in the storage room, a “cubby hole” above the bedroom
closet, a composting bin (worms included and working
night and day!) in the kitchen and, of course, the very
popular sleeping loft.
Clean, Serene & Green - The BioS(h)IP Environment
The CU Home is one that you can “sink your teeth into.”
It is built from low-to-no petroleum agricultural products
and by-products such as soy, corn, coconut, wheat,
bamboo, canola oil, citrus oils, sugar and even chocolate
the chocolate is used in cleaning product for the home.
Use of low-to-no petroleum materials means that less
energy was used in manufacturing the BioS(h)IP than in
standard residences, and this, in turn, means reduced
environmental impact. By using biobased products,
the CU Team predicts that their solar home will have
an environment with increased interior comfort and
measurably cleaner indoor air.
Resources for the BioS(h)IP include the following material
categories of durable, low maintenance products. (Please
refer to The Materials section in the “BioS(h)IP user manual
for more information. All materials used in construction of
the CU Home have met required testing standards and
building codes. The Team selected off-the-shelf products
so that upcoming versions of their home can be replicated
at reasonable cost.):
1 Biobased materials from cellulose sources
2 Recycled content
3 Re-used
4 Sustainably harvested
5 Low-to-no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)
The CU Team remained inspired throughout the
2005 Solar Decathlon process. The results are that a
new architecture studio course has been created for
development of green solar mobile home designs and
a new College of Architecture and Planning research
center, Center for Emerging Practices, will be the home
for future Solar Decathlon projects. CU considers the
Solar Decathlon one of the most critical educational
opportunities offered today.
6
Communications
TEAM MISSION STATEMENT, GOALS,
AND VALUES
When the first CU Solar Decathlon Team joined the
competition in 2002, the group unanimously decided that
all CU entries into the competition, from 2002 onward,
would be environmentally conscious on all levels - from
materials and energy systems to construction techniques.
This CU precept is carried forward in the 2005 “RFP”:
“While green construction is not a stated goal of the
Solar Decathlon, it is inherent to the development of CU’s
project. The importance of environmental design is a
message that we feel is critical to promote in each and
every Solar Decathlon project undertaken by CU.”
The goal of the 2005 CU Solar Decathlon Team is to
combine the overall philosophies of the Solar Decathlon
Competition with the CU Team’s governing Mission
Statement (below) and Five Design Goals (at the end of
this section). By establishing an interdisciplinary research
collaboration, the CU Team seeks to address the broad
issues of environmental stewardship, renewable energy,
and sustainability. The 2005 CU Solar Decathlon Team
has developed a diverse team comprised of students and
faculty from several colleges and departments along with
industry professionals.
Mission Statement
“To integrate natural materials and innovative technologies
in an environmentally conscious, publicly accessible,
modular, energy efficient, solar home design.”
Project Branding
A “Petroleum Alternative” Project
The CU Team branded their 2005 Solar Decathlon project
on the philosophy that alternatives to petroleum-based
energy and building methods can be part of everyday life
while providing solutions to U.S. residential needs and
environmental problems. The CU Team’s home, called
the “BioS(h)IP”, is a comprehensive demonstration of this
branding philosophy - from the biodiesel used to ship the
home and materials used in its construction, including
the drinking glasses that will be used to serve the judge’s
their meals. The CU Team remained focused on their
branding philosophy.
Practicing what they Brand
In keeping with their low-to-no petroleum branding
philosophy and environmental beliefs, the CU Team
employed a wide range of methods to stay true to their
Solar Decathlon goals.
For instance, they used recycled content paper and soy
based inks for printing project documents, they chose
organic cotton team t-shirts to show support for such
farming methods, and they even developed a new
biobased building material for construction of their home.
In addition to their commitment of their Solar Decathlon
philosophies, a number of team members live low-to-no
petroleum lifestyles by making solar power, wind power,
ground source heating and cooling and alternative travel
such as bikes and public transportation, a part of their
everyday lives.
Branding of a New CU Invention called BioSIPs
In keeping with their low-to-no petroleum theme, the CU
Team invented a revolutionary new modular, biobased
structural insulated panel system, called “BioSIPs”, for
construction of their 2005 Solar Decathlon Project.
BioSIPs are based on a process called engineered molded
fiber, or EMF technology. By using this technology to
create BioSIPs, cellulose sources such as waste paper,
wood waste, and agricultural by-products are molded into
structural boards, which are then used to sandwich layers
of high R-value expanded soy foam insulation. BioSIPs
are one of the few truly environmentally-developed
structural insulated panel, or SIP, systems. The CU Team
constructed their BioSIP invention and used this as the
system for building their “BioS(h)IP” home.
Method Used by the CU Team to Develop Branding
Branding strategies for CU’s Solar Decathlon Project are
based on team members’ personal values and lifestyles,
ones which they believe are shared by many Americans
and are growing importance for many others. Individual
members felt that in order to remain inspired on a project
that require sustained dedication, perseverance, and
commitment for a number of years, it was necessary
to establish project philosophies - the project brand - on
values and goals that were already an important part of
their individual lives.
In 2003, at the start of the project, lengthy discussions
were held to help identify a set of core values that
were common to each and all. Mutual to all CU Team
members, students and faculty alike, was environmental
stewardship. In Colorado, environmentalism is a focus of
education, work, leisure pursuits, and day-to-day living.
In addition to the “green” edge, the CU Team’s visions
of how they live today and how they’ll live in the future
are based on another shared understanding: They believe
that transition and travel will be a necessary part of
their lives now and into the future. They also believe
that environmentalism and transition are becoming
increasingly important in the lives of many Americans.
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This common ground of personal beliefs and commitments
formed the groundwork on which CU’s project developed.
The next, and perhaps most important, step is to determine
whether CU’s Solar Decathlon brand will find an audience
beyond the boundaries of CU. Is there a market for “green”
housing that runs on renewable energy and is mobile and
can travel without the need for petroleum? The CU Team
believes that audience, or market, exists and that it will
grow tremendously in coming years.
CU sincerely hopes that branding for their 2005 Solar
Decathlon Project will reach a wide audience and will
spark discussions regarding new ways of living that provide
comfort, affordability, health, environmental solutions, and
freedom to enjoy new vistas in everyday living with less
reliance on petroleum.
The Elements of CU’s Branding
The Aspen Sun Logo
The CU Team’s logo began in the form of an aspen
leaf (below), entitled Aspen Sun. Local branding is
accomplished through this logo, as the Aspen is a common
tree species in Colorado. The Aspen is also the most
widely distributed tree in North America. Similarly, the
CU Home is optimized for a Colorado climate but could
be adapted to any climate in North America. The parallel
between the photosynthetic process of a leaf and the
photovoltaic process of a solar cell further this image as
an effective logo in line with CU design philosophy.
The BioS(h)IP Logo
The Aspen Sun logo served as a stepping stone for
the BioS(h)IP logo (below) as CU’s design incorporated
a patent-pending bio-based SIP wall system modular
single-chassis design.
A House as a S(h)IP
The CU Home is designed much like a ship. Since living
space is made premium by the 800 sq. feet size limitation,
each corner of the house serves a specific function. By
streamlining the design into a solar mobile home, the
Team directly addressed their modular design goal.
Top Seven Unique Design Elements
The CU Team has developed seven unique design
concepts that will help distinguish their design from their
competitor’s projects:
1 Bio-Sip Wall System
As mentioned under “Branding”, the CU Team has
invented a new Bio-based SIP (Structural Insulated
Panel) system called BioSips. This is a revolutionary
pre-fabricated wall system made from soy-based
polyurethane insulation and fully recycled post-consumer
waste paper board. Traditionally, SIPs are constructed of
plywood and styrofoam. CU Team members developed
the manufacturing process for these SIPs themselves.
2 Bio-Based Materials
This is truly a house you can “sink your teeth into.” In
an effort to reduce the use of petroleum-based products
as much as possible, most of the building materials in
this house are made of common human food sources like
wheat, soy and corn. The CU Team’s house description
reads like a food menu.
3 B100 Biodiesel Fuel
The CU Team will be transporting their home to the
National Mall on B100 (100 percent biodiesel) with the
assistance of the CU Biodiesel Club. This commitment
is part of CU’s low-to-no petroleum pledge for the Solar
Decathlon Competition.
4 Aesthetically Integrated Solar Panels
The CU Team is fully invested in making their integrated
rooftop solar panels look great. To this end, the CU Team
has employed attractive, architectural window shades on
the south façade of the home, which contain crystalline
photovoltaic cells. The CU Team is showcasing some of
the best solar technology in the industry. The house will
be equipped with a 6.8 kW photovoltaic array composed
of thirty-four SunPower 200 watt panels, some of the
most efficient solar electric panels on the market, and
100 percent Outback power conditioning components.
8
Communications
5 BioS(h)IP Single Chassis Design
A single chassis design combined with efficient use of
space means the CU Home is designed like a ship, hence
the name BioS(h)IP. Literally every nook and cranny will
be utilizable to the occupant.
6 Raise the Roof
The major architectural feature of the BioS(h)IP is the
hinged roof that has the ability to retract to a height of
16‘ for ease of travel. The roof then raises to a height of
18‘ when at rest to yield a vaulted ceiling that provides
openness and light to the home. This element makes for
a far more livable solar mobile home. Mechanically, four
large hinges on the east end anchor a roof that can be
lifted internally without the use of a crane. Large exposed
architectural steel struts and tie-rod elements make this
roof possible.
7 A Zero Energy Home
The CU home will be the second Zero Energy Home on
Colorado’s Front Range and the first ever in Longmont,
Colorado, where the home will take up permanent
residency. A Zero Energy home is one that, over the
course of a year, produces more energy than it consumes.
Following the competition, the CU Team plans to take
advantage of their home’s mobility to help promote local
renewable energy initiatives in Colorado. In particular, CO
Amendment 37’s residential solar set-aside provision and
favorable net-metering laws, which will make living with
renewable energy an easy lifestyle method for millions of
Coloradans.
TEAM PERSONALITY
The team effort has been guided in a manner that
allows the boundaries between the traditional roles of
architecture and engineering students to blur. Throughout
the project, architecture students have been encouraged
to “think like engineers” and, vice versa, as engineering
students are asked to step into the role of architect. The
team hopes to achieve a Solar Decathlon Home design in
which architecture and engineering drive one another in a
supportive well-integrated manner.
By working in this manner, the end result will be a
mobile solar home design with a strong balance between
aesthetics and technology and one in which the two
create powerful synergistic dialogues. The long-range
goal beyond the Solar Decathlon Competition is that
CU students will enter their respective fields and will
contribute to the built world in ways that reflect cohesive
unions of architectural design and engineering. The Solar
Decathlon Competition will help CU students reach this
goal.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The overall design philosophy of the CU Team is to
present to the public a home with broad market appeal
that demonstrates the synergy of integrated architectural
and engineering designs. The CU Team seeks to achieve
these goals in their 2005 Home through:
• repeatable, adaptable, easy-to-construct design
• functionality to reach a wide range of lifestyles
• cost-effective integration of design and technology.
The CU Home design and key features were developed
based on strategies of balancing architectural concepts
and aesthetics with engineering goals. Building upon the
many lessons learned from the 2002 Competition, the
CU Team continues to uphold the five following goals of:
Natural Materials, Modularity, Accessibility, Innovation and
Energy Efficiency in all aspects of the decision-making
process.
Five Design Goals
1 Natural Materials
Common to all CU Team members is a strong commitment
to environmental stewardship. This commitment is
reflected in their low-to-no petroleum pledge. Wherever
possible, CU selected building materials and project
resources with low embodied energy.
Biobased,
recycled-content, reused, and low-to-no volatile organic
compounds were employed in the project. This included
materials for the home, house transportation, printing
of project documents, team t-shirts, and many other
materials used in the CU project.
2 Modularity
Modularity is CU’s solution to the need for portability
of the 2005 Home. Learning from CU’s 2002 project,
the 2005 Team recognized mobile solar architecture
as absolutely crucial to the design. In keeping with the
commitment to Modularity, the CU Team has made a bold
decision to design their home as an single unit that will
transform on site, rather than a composite of pieces. Also
included in the overall goal of Modularity is the concept
of adding strength to lightweight materials, as in the high
strength to weight BioSIP system.
3 Accessibility
Accessibility, as defined by CU, refers to the affordability
of their home to the average American. Building materials
are selected based upon cost-effectiveness and Life Cycle
Costs when not in violation of the Mission Statement.
The CU Team seeks to show that innovative technologies
can be made accessible to the average homeowner by
demonstrating that technologies that seem abstract or
difficult to install can be a reality in the average home.
UNIVERSITY
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Design Concepts
4 Innovation
Innovation refers to the use of new environmental building
materials and support of market penetration for these
materials. More specifically, Innovation in the 2005 Home
will be demonstrated in the area of Green Technology
and through the use of strong, lightweight materials.
Innovation is being considered in all aspects of the design
so as to not compromise the goal of Accessibility.
5 Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a driving design force in the 2005
CU Home. Designing a home with the lowest possible
energy consumption is not only advantageous to the CU
Team in terms of competition scoring, it also addresses
their commitment to minimizing fossil fuel dependence.
For this reason, equipment and appliances were selected
based primarily on their energy consumption. Minimizing
the total electrical and thermal loads in the design helped
ensure that solar energy will provide the annual energy
required when the home is grid-tied in Colorado. CU’s
Zero Energy Home will be an annual net exporter of
electricity, which means the home’s occupants will be
able to sell power back to the utility company.
CU’s Website:
Prior to July 2005 many architectural, engineering, and
branding details of 2005 CU’s project were still being
worked out. As such, an attractive and professional-looking
website was created as a placeholder whereby information
about the project could be disseminated to the general
public. With these details having been consequently
finalized, an extensive redesign of the website took place
in order to provide a strong identity to the CU project that
is true to the spirit of the competition.
Website Goals
The new face of the website more closely reflects the
branding and philosophy of the project through:
• bold colors
• accessibility and ease of use
• a focus on integrating nature and technology
• educational awareness, and
• entertainment.
One important aspect of the website is its use of strong,
vibrant colors, as consistent with the architectural design
of the house. CU’s BioS(h)IP will likely be one of the most
colorful houses on the National Mall. Likewise, the website
utilizes the same colors in a prominent fashion in order to
draw a lasting connection between the website and the
home. While the house has been designed to stand out
from the competition, the website has been crafted with
the same goal in mind.
Alongside the accessibility of the House for all members
of the public, the website has also been designed with
accessibility and ease of use in mind. Any aesthetics, or
flash, are carefully balanced with the desire to keep the
website as simple and intuitive to browse as possible.
This includes a logical organization of content, familiar
navigation, and concise but descriptive heading names.
The website has been developed for both the individual
who only wants a specific piece of information as well as
one who wishes to delve deeply into the inner workings
of the home.
One of the most important aspects of the BioS(h)IP is
its association with nature. With materials based on
wheat, soy, and corn, much of the house is derived from
agricultural feedstocks rather than petroleum-based
products. This integration between nature and technology
demonstrates the ability to provide a comfortable and
sustainable environment while minimizing impacts on
our environment. Therefore, the website prominently
highlights this reliance on natural materials by exploring
each of these materials in detail. By drawing parallels
between the home’s materials and their origins in nature,
the public can begin to realize ecological impacts that
occur with each and every material that is consumed and
understand the necessity for conservation. The website
details the home’s materials, from the innovative BioSIP
wall system to countertops and dishes, underlining the
importance of a strong integration between nature and
technology on all levels of the project. Educating the public
about the relationship between nature and the CU Home
is just one of the methods in which the website seeks to
raise awareness. In keeping with CU’s design philosophy,
the website aims to provide a wealth of information for
a wide range of lifestyles and users. While the BioS(h)IP
is CU’s example of a sustainable, cost-effective, and
architecturally-pleasing home, its potential value is in its
ability to foster communication within our society about
issues such as energy efficiency, solar energy, and natural
materials. Thus, while the website is a document of the
CU Team’s sweat and tears from beginning to end, it is
more importantly a resource for any individual who seeks
to reduce their ecological footprint in the world. With the
CU project touching on such elements as biodiesel fuel,
zero-energy homes, and sustainability, so too the website
expands on each of these issues. The website is truly one
of the CU Team’s principal mechanisms for planting the
seeds of awareness in the mind of the public.
10
Communications
Planting the Seeds of Awareness
Lastly, while the website is largely a form of educational
awareness and outreach, it should also be an entertaining
and enjoyable experience for the user. This is achieved
not only through aesthetically-pleasing design but
also by bringing the fun and excitement of building an
environmentally-friendly, energy efficient house to the
user. Indeed the project entailed long days and longer
nights of work, but it also cultivated fun, friendship, and
a sense of family among team members. The website
strives to bring across the CU Team’s excitement and
illustrate to the public that green building design is not
a chore but an exciting struggle to live up to one’s own
morals and ethos.
If the public does not leave the CU website with the desire
to question their own home and lifestyle impacts, then
our job is not complete. The site intends to provide the
user with all the tools needed to educate themselves and
put their beliefs or ideas into action. From natural building
to innovative technologies, the website is a showcase of
what’s possible when a group of strong-willed, inspired
individuals put their collective heads together and strive
to make a change. If we can do it, so too can the user.
Recent Project Developments
Website Re-Launch
In early July 2005, CU remodeled their website. The
website reflects more closely the branding and key
messages of the project. The CU Team recognizes that
in order to be effective the website must continue to
evolve and speak to the world about what CU is trying to
accomplish through its Solar Decathlon project.
Seminar Series
In an attempt to educate all members of the CU Team on
the multidisciplinary facets of the Solar Decathlon, weekly
seminars (two per week) were held on the following
topics: Design Philosophy/Mission/Goals, Structures,
Chassis/Mobility, Biodiesel, PV, SHW, Envelope/Climatic
Design, Energy Performance, HVAC Controls, Architecture,
Lighting, Materials, BioSIPs, Interior finishes and Electric
Car.
Transportation Planning and Biodeisel Fueling Logistics
CU Biodiesel Club and BlueSun Biodiesel assisted the CU
Team in developing a route map, B100 fuel source plan,
and loan of a Biodiesel processor or Fuelmeister® for an
efficient transport to the National Mall. The CU Team has
selected a transportation and pilot car company that has
pre-driven the 16’ traveling height, 2,500 mile route to the
National Mall:
CU Biodiesel Club
http://www.cu-biodiesel.org
Boulder Biodiesel, Fuelmeister®
http://www.boulderbiodiesel.com/fuelmeister/index.jsp
Competition Strategy
Building on the experiences of the 2002 CU Solar
Decathlon Project, the 2005 CU Team recognizes
that roughly 600 of a possible 1,100 points are directly
related to energy performance. As such, the CU Team
has undertaken an extensive commissioning process to
formulate a strategy for success in the energy portions of
the competition.
2005 Solar Decathlon Competition Brochure Foreword
In a collaborative manner, the CU Team has written a
foreword to members of the public, solar decathletes,
policy makers, industry professionals and government
leaders that speaks to the merits of the Solar Decathlon
Competition and its promise as a vehicle for change in
how we use energy in the United States and the world.
UNIVERSITY
OF
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Documentation
Project Documentation
Project documentation represents a significant portion of
the work that all Solar Decathlon teams have done to
prepare for the 2005 competition. In addition to giving
students experience with the content and formatting of
client submittals, the documentation deliverables have
enabled the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to
monitor the progress of each team over the last year and
a half.
Every team had several deliverable requirements. In
addition to the basic required documents, CU also
completed two interim submittals to obtain more
feedback from NREL.
As part of its development of the BioSIPs, CU also
presented additional documentation to the NREL drawing
review team and to CU’s structural engineer. In addition,
the CU Team also submitted design development drawings
to the Colorado Division of Housing, the regulatory agency
for manufactured homes in Colorado.
The Schematic Energy Analysis Report detailed the CU
Team’s initial energy modeling and conservation measures.
Results from computer simulations were provided and
discussed for the various energy systems in the house.
Prior to submitting the Schematic Energy Analysis Report,
engineering team members used EQuest/DOE-2 for
whole-house energy modeling, F-Chart and Maui for solar
electric and thermal modeling, and Phoenics for natural
ventilation modeling. To the greatest extent possible, the
CU Team implemented the recommendations made in
this report into the BioS(h)IP itself .
The three drawing and submittal sets – Design
Development, Construction, and “As-Built” – all resembled
documentation that an engineer and/or architect might
submit to a client during the progress of a design/build
project. In this way, the preparation of these documents
gave valuable practical experience to the CU students who
prepared them. However, there were some fundamental
differences in these submittals due to the nature of the
Solar Decathlon competition. For example, CU included
construction drawings and site operations plans to aid
the organizers’ understanding of how the BioS(h)IP would
be assembled and disassembled on the National Mall in
Washington D.C., taking care not to disturb this National
Park protected site. Additionally, a comprehensive set
of equipment and interior specifications were provided
in the submittal documents both for the information
and approval of the organizers, as well as for NREL’s
information in the event that they decide to perform
their own energy models on the Solar Decathlon home.
A typical residential construction submittal would not
include these items. For final, “As-Built,” drawings and
submittals, CU also incorporated the color scheme
developed for Communications and Branding as a way
to reinforce branding consistency and to make the
submittals look more professional and attractive. As
much as possible, the CU Team tried to be thorough in its
submittals – the final drawing set included approximately
75 drawing sheets and the final submittal exceeded 350
pages. In some way or another, every team member
contributed to these drawing and submittal deliverables.
Team members Kristin Field, Mark Cruz, Jeff Lyng, Kendra
Tupper, Natalie Mach, Greg Shoukas, Isaac Oaks, Geoffrey
Berlin, Koki Hashimoto, Jon Previtali, Tim ScotlandStewart, Seth Kassels, Frank Burkholder, and volunteer
Adam Hecht were the principal contributors to these
deliverables. Faculty Advisors Michael Brandemuehl, Rick
Sommerfeld, and Julee Herdt provided architecture and
engineering guidance. Andrew Kelsey, P.E., of Ascent
Group Engineering, provided structural engineering
assistance and officially stamped the structural drawings
and calculations.
Solar Decathlon Project
Deliverables
April 15, 2004
Project Summary #1
Preliminary Website
June 15, 2004
Project Summary #2
Schematic Energy Analysis Report
Design Development Drawings
October 4, 2004
Interim Drawings & Submittals
February 8, 2005
Project Summary #3
Construction Drawings & Submittals
June 30, 2005
Interim Drawings & Submittals
August 9, 2005
Final Project Summary
Competition Meal Plans
9 Brief Contest Reports for Jurors
August 16, 2005
“As-Built” Drawings & Submittals
12
HOT Water
Solar Thermal System – Basics
The BioS(h)IP showcases top-of-the-line technology
in which solar radiation is converted into heat for the
purposes of heating the home through a radiant floor
system and providing domestic hot water.
The CU Team is harnessing the sun’s thermal energy
with four arrays of 20 Mazdon evacuated tube collectors
manufactured by Thermomax, as shown in Figure 1 below.
These collectors have incredibly high efficiencies - about
60 percent over the course of an entire day. In addition,
the evacuated tube collectors resist internal condensation
and corrosion more effectively than their counterparts and
have the ability to reach high temperatures even in cloudy,
windy, and sub-freezing ambient weather conditions. This
high efficiency is achieved due to the lack of air inside
the individual collector tubes, which results in minimal
heat losses to the environment from the hot surfaces
of the collector. With low thermal losses to the outdoor
environment, more heat will be delivered to the storage
tank. The heated water in the tank will be used for space
heating via a hydronic radiant system and for heating the
house’s domestic hot water.
Domestic Hot Water System
As hot water is drawn through the home’s showers and
faucets, cold city water will flow through A.O. Smith
domestic hot water tank to replenish the water that was
drawn down. However, before reaching the domestic
hot water tank, the cold city water will begin its travels
through a stainless steel, flat plate heat exchanger.
Simultaneously, hot water from the 200-gallon solar tank
will be pumped into the flat plate heat exchanger to serve
as the source of heat. The municipal water will increase in
temperature as it travels through the exchanger and the
heat is conducted from the water of the solar thermal
tank. As the city water exits the heat exchanger, it has
effectively been preheated before it enters the domestic
hot water tank. Should further heating be necessary, the
water tank will use an auxiliary electrical heating element
to top off and maintain this batch of water at 120˚F. We
expect that over 75 percent of our hot water needs will
be met by the solar thermal system. As the electrical
energy into the auxiliary heater comes entirely from the
house’s PV system, one could still refer to this water as
“solar-heated.”
Solar Thermal Storage Tank
The BioS(h)IP showcases custom-made, 200-gallon,
stainless steel solar thermal water tank made by Swhift,
Inc. Inside the tank resides a copper coil heat exchanger
through which solar thermal energy is transferred into the
water.
A glycol/water mixture is circulated to the Thermomax
collectors, where the fluid picks up the solar energy
captured by them. The fluid then circulates from the
collectors through the copper coil heat exchanger that is
submerged inside the tank. The heat exchanger transfers
the solar energy from the glycol mixture to the 200
gallons of water by simply conducting the heat through
the walls of the copper coil.
The water stored in the tank will be circulated through the
flooring of the house through a separate plumbing system
that will radiantly heat the house during the winter. In
addition, the water in the storage tank will be used to
preheat municipal mains water (supply tank water on the
Mall in D.C.) flowing to the domestic hot water tank.
Thermomax Mazdon Evacuated Tube Cutaway View
Photo Courtesy of Thermomax Website
UNIVERSITY
OF
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BioS(h)IP Solar-Thermal System
Hot Water for
Showers and
Domestic Use
Solar Thermal Storage Tank: 200 gallon reservoir
of water used for storing the collected solar
thermal energy from the collectors. This water is
used to heat the domestic water and the radiant
floors.
Solar Collector Pump: Pumps
a water/glycol solution through
the solar collectors and into the
solar thermal tank through a
copper coiled heat exchanger to
deliver the heat to the tank.
FlatPlate HX and Solar
Tank Pump: Pre-heats
the incoming domestic
water with water that is
pumped from the solar
thermal tank. The two
fluid streams never
mix.
AO Smith Conventional
Hot Water Tank: Water for
hot showers and domestic
use is maintained at 120F
Domestic water
from the city enters
the BioS(h)IP
Warmboard Flooring: Water is
circulated through the through the
BioS(h)IP flooring to deliver heat to 3
thermostatically controlled zones.
Thermomax Solar Collectors: 4 – 20
tube arrays capture the suns energy to
deliver heat to the solar thermal tank
Radiant Floor Circulator
Pump: Pumps water
directly from the solar
thermal tank to the
Warmboard radiant
floors to heat the
BioS(h)IP zones.
Auxiliary Water Heater: Controlled
through a variable voltage regulator, this
6.0kW heater makes sure the radiant
floor gets 95F water if not enough heat is
present in the solar thermal storage
tank.
Thermomax Mazdon Tube
Efficiency Curve
14
Comfort Zone
Indoor Environmental Quality
Comfort and Air Quality
We all expect our home to be a comfortable, safe, and
healthy environment. The BioS(h)IP has been designed
to exceed these basic expectations and to do so with
exceptional energy efficiency. A core requirement is
comfort. The Solar Decathlon Competition attempts to
quantify comfort through measurements of temperature
and humidity. However, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55,
Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy,
defines thermal comfort as “that condition of mind which
expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.” As
a condition of mind, thermal comfort can be affected by
many elusive factors, many of which are out of the control
of the building designers. Nevertheless, our objective is
to provide a comfortable and healthy indoor environment
through informed building design and effective mechanical
systems.
Building Envelope
In a typical home environment, thermal radiation can
account for over half the heat transfer from the building
occupants. In other words, the temperatures of the
building surfaces (i.e., walls, windows, roof, and floor)
typically affect comfort more than the air temperature.
With so many exterior surfaces, the comfort in our house
is heavily influenced by the thermal characteristics of the
building envelope.
8,800
680
8,600
660
640
8,400
620
8,200
600
8,000
580
7,800
560
7,600
540
7,400
520
R10
R15
Annual
R20
R25
October
Simulation analysis to evaluate insulation
R30
September
R35
Energy Consumption (kWh/month)
Energy Consumption (kWh/yr)
Floor R-Value
The building envelope also has an obvious impact on
the energy consumption of the heating and cooling
equipment. Insulation levels in the floor, roof, and walls
were selected based on extensive computer simulations
in the early design stage of the project. The walls, roof,
and floor are heavily insulated with sprayed high-density
soy foam insulation with R-values between R-30 and
R-50. The structural insulated panels and sprayed foam
also reduces infiltration and associated drafts.
Our high performance Alpen windows use HeatMirror®
films with optical coatings to control thermal and solar
effects. In fact, windows with different orientations are
tuned to have slightly different properties for balancing
daylighting, solar heat gain control, and insulation. The
fiberglass frames not only have a low embodied energy
but also are warm to the touch regardless of exterior
temperatures. Most of CU’s windows have an insulating
value of R-8, although we have a window with R-14,
better than the walls in a typical house!
Passive Systems
Passive heating and cooling strategies can often be used
to provide a comfortable indoor environment without
mechanical or electrical systems. One of the most
common is the use of passive solar energy for winter
heating, despit the relatively little thermal mass for
solar energy storage. While some passive solar heating
is available through the south windows and patio door,
concerns about overheating limited the window sizes.
Shading of the south windows in the kitchen and bedroom
are provided with fixed Building-Integrated PV panels.
The fixed overhangs were designed to provide maximum
shading during the summer while still allowing heat gains
in the wintertime. Sliding louvers were designed for the
south entrance due to the large size of the window.
Natural ventilation can often provide a significant fraction
of the cooling requirements, especially in Boulder’s climate.
Operable windows also give occupants control over their
environment, providing a better “condition of mind” for
thermal comfort. CU’s design objectives involved the
sizing and placement of windows to maximize natural
ventilation, while recognizing the trade-offs of solar heat
gains, heat losses, view, and daylighting.
UNIVERSITY
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In addition to general design heuristics, simple
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were created
in Phoenics software to inform design. The following
items are key features of our natural ventilation design:
• All windows, excluding the large picture windows on
the north side, are operable.
• With prevailing winds from the south and west, all
openings on the south side are larger than the
openings on the north side to promote uniform
airflows and better mixing within the space.
• Window placements are staggered on the north and
south walls to prevent short-circuiting of airflows in
the space.
Radiant Floor Heating
Our house uses a radiant floor heating system. The
system was chosen over more conventional system for
the following benefits:
• Comfort. Given the impact of radiation heat transfer
on human comfort, a warmed floor provides a very
effective mechanism to deliver heat to building
occupants. Besides, it’s hard to beat the feeling of a
warm floor on a cold winter morning.
• Energy. With a warmed floor, the air temperature
in the building can be kept lower without compromising
occupant comfort. The lower air temperatures can
reduce heating loads due to infiltration and heat
transfer through the walls, roofs, and windows.
• Integrated Design. The radiant heating system is
integrated into the flooring system using Warmboard®
technologies. With Warmboard®, hot water tubing
is built directly into the subfloor, which includes an
aluminum heat distribution plate.
• Solar-Friendly. A typical furnace or hot water
baseboard system heats at temperatures of 120180°F. CU’s radiant floor system is designed with a
maximum hot water temperature of 95°F. This lower
temperature provides a better fit with a solar hot
water system, which has higher efficiencies at a
lower water temperatures.
• Other Factors. Studies in Germany have shown a
reduction of 50-80 percent in dust mite populations
in homes that use radiant floors.
Controlling comfort conditions with radiant heating can be
a significant challenge. With conventional systems, room
air temperature can be changed quickly when necessary
and can be kept uniform with sufficient air circulation.
Building mass and surface temperatures are less uniform
and less responsive, though CU’s lightweight integrated
floor system significantly improves system response.
The BioS(h)IP has been divided into three heating zones:
the living room and kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, and
the solar hearth or mechanical room. Space temperatures
within each zone are maintained by modulating the flow
and temperature of warm water from the solar thermal
tank through each of the zone’s “floor circuits,” or radiant
water loops. The space temperatures in each of the
zones are monitored with their own occupant-controlled,
programmable thermostats.
Proportional valves on each zone and a variable-speed
circulation pump are used to control the flow rate of water
through the floor tubing. The combination of modulating
valves and a variable-speed circulator pump allows for
balanced system pressures while minimizing the amount
of pump energy required to deliver hot water through the
flooring.
Window cut-away showing HeatMirror® film
16
Comfort Zone
A second variable-speed pump operates in conjunction
with the main circulation pump. This secondary pump
draws hot water directly from the solar thermal storage
tank and mixes the hot water into the water loops to
maintain the desired supply water temperature. The
setpoint temperature for the water can be as warm as
95°F but is adjusted with changes in outdoor temperature
using novel adaptive algorithms. While computer
simulations with TRNSYS and EnergyPlus indicate that the
solar system will provide over two-thirds of the heating
energy, an auxiliary electric in-line heating element in the
system will raise the temperature of the water to the
setpoint if the solar tank cannot supply enough hot water
into the loop.
All of the pump and valve settings are managed by
a programmable logic controller (PLC). This device
measures the pressure and temperature at various points
in the hydronic system and the home to determine the
appropriate pump speeds and valve positions.
Air Conditioning
Cooling and dehumidification are provided by a mini-split
ductless system. The system allows a single outdoor
section to serve multiple indoor fan coil units. In CU’s
Home, two indoor sections are mounted on the south
wall in the living/kitchen space and in the bedroom
(The solar heater is indirectly cooled by the conditioned
spaces.) Small refrigerant lines connect the indoor and
outdoor sections, eliminating the need for ducting. The
systems are controlled by remote controls similar to TV
or home theater systems.
Phoenics simulation results for casement window
Mini split systems in the United States traditionally have
lower efficiencies than conventional split systems for
residential applications. The Mitsubishi MXZ30TN system
bucks this trend by providing high efficiency and variable
speed compressor operation. Unfortunately, this improved
technology is only available in their heat pump products.
CU’s engineering analysis indicates that a combined
heat pump and solar heating system would not be cost
effective for CU’s building. However, in the quest for a
high-efficiency air conditioner, appropriate for CU’s small
house, the CU Team coincidentally also needed heat
pump capabilities.
The single compressor, located in the outdoor section,
employs inverter technologies to vary the compressor
speed with variations in cooling load. Variable speed
operation provides improved energy efficiency and more
stable temperature control, regardless of whether one or
both indoor units are operating.
The outdoor unit is sized to 30,000 BTU/hr while the
indoor units are sized to 9,000 BTU/hr. With a larger
outdoor unit capacity, the future owner can expand the
home and add an additional indoor section without having
to completely replace heating and cooling system. At the
same time, the variable speed operation overcomes the
normal efficiency penalty associated with an oversized
system in its present configuration.
Indoor Air Quality Control
Indoor air quality is a critical factor for a safe and
healthy home environment. The BioS(h)IP provides this
environment by controlling sources of indoor contaminants
and by adequate ventilation with outdoor air.
Warmboard flooring system
UNIVERSITY
OF
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The first steps in air quality control are to reduce
contaminant sources and to use local exhaust to remove
pollutants at their sources. Like most homes, CU uses
exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Another factor
contributing to poor indoor air quality of modern American
homes is the prevalence of materials with volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) that off-gas into the home.
In accordance with our Mission Statement, CU used
as many low-VOC, bio-based materials as possible,
both for construction materials and indoor finishes and
furnishings.
Knowing that BioSIP construction produces a tight
envelope, CU employed mechanical ventilation to ensure
adequate fresh air. Given the variations in occupancy
and the fact that occupants open windows, continuous
ventilation is not required. In the BioS(h)IP, a CO2 sensor
detects the need for mechanical ventilation. The system
is only engaged if the measured level is above 900 ppm.
When there is a large temperature and humidity difference
between the inside of the home and the outdoor
environment, significant energy can be used to condition
this ventilation air. An energy recovery ventilator can save
up to 85 percent of this energy. Air entering for ventilation
purposes will come into the BioS(h)IP close to the
humidity and temperature settings of the home, reducing
the load on the air-conditioning and heating systems.
18
Lighting
Lighting Design
The overall lighting design for CU’s BioS(h)IP employs
three major goals: providing energy-efficient design,
optimizing occupant control over lighting, and maximizing
the amount of natural light available in the space. Fixture
and bulb selection, floor plan iterations, and computer
modeling have played important roles in helping the
CU engineering and architecture teams achieve these
goals. In creating overall lighting design, the CU Team
incorporated effective electric lighting and daylighting
features.
Electric Lighting Design Features
With the three primary design goals in mind, predominantly
energy-efficient, fluorescent lamps are specified
throughout the house. Regular fluorescent and compact
fluorescent lamps save energy by consuming less power
and generating less heat. Of course, during the heating
season, one could argue that this decrease in internal
gains simply adds to the building’s heating load. However,
the heat that would be generated by incandescent
lamps represents a far less efficient and less effective
method of heating the space than the BioS(h)IP’s radiant
floor system. Therefore, use of fluorescent lighting still
provides energy savings in building conditioning during
both heating and cooling seasons.
One exception to the blanket use of fluorescent lamps is
the dining area. Although fluorescent lighting would have
been more energy efficient, the halogen lighting in this
one area provides better color rendering and visualization
of the food.
The ambient light levels recommended by NREL for the
Solar Decathlon competition are provided via indirect
light reflected off of the ceiling surfaces. Occupants
generally prefer this type of indirect lighting, as it reduces
glare and provides more pleasant ambience. All task
lighting in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom,
and office is provided by direct light located proximal to
the task location. Direct lighting has been chosen for
task illumination due to the higher lighting levels required
for tasks. Computer modeling with AGI helped inform
choices of fixtures, bulbs, and floor plans. Electric lighting
controls also helped the lighting satisfy the general
design goals. Dimming controls are used on the ambient
and halogen task lights to allow manual compensation
for variations in available natural light throughout the day.
Dimming controls also enable the occupant to create
an individually-preferred ambience. Timers in the lessfrequented spaces, such as the mechanical room and
pantry as well as a daylight sensor in the workspace, are
employed to minimize lighting energy consumption.
Daylighting Design Features
The final daylighting design primarily focused on
maximizing occupancy comfort given a specified window
configuration. During the initial phases of architectural
design, floor plan and window placement iterations also
attempted to maximize the daylighting benefits possible
in the space.
Figure 1: Pseudo Color Renderings of Daylighting in Living Room,
September 21st, 12:00 Noon, Boulder CO
Solar control optical coatings and window shades appear
on the south walls in order to decrease glare in the
space. The window shade design allowed for a top-down,
bottom-up operation so that larger windows could be
partially or fully blocked, allowing the occupant to control
how much light and from what direction that light is
allowed into the space. These shades are also employed
along the north wall for similar reasons. The Team chose
Hunter Douglas triple-cell Duette® honeycomb shades
because of its excellent thermal properties and its help
in preventing unwanted heat transfer. When analyzing the
results of the daylighting computer models, glare was the
primary concern.
UNIVERSITY
OF
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The BioS(h)IP is relatively narrow and has large amounts
of glazing on the north and south walls that provide
ample light into the spaces. With such high daylight
levels, occupants may experience some discomfort due
to glare. In most cases, the luminance ratios between
adjacent surfaces have been kept below 50:1. However,
simulations did reveal two primary areas of concern - the
bathroom and the south entrance.
Glare reduction at the south entrance can be controlled
with shades; however, the bathroom window is located
inside the shower and, therefore, does not have a shade
(frosted glass is used for privacy). Due to the low
sensitivity of the personal grooming task performed in
the bathroom, the CU Team does not anticipate that
bathroom glare will be a significant problem.
In summary, the lighting design achieves a large degree
of success in its three primary design goals. Energy
efficiency is realized through power-saving fluorescent
lamps, occupancy controls, timers, and a daylighting
sensor in the office area. Occupants have excellent
control over lighting through the use of controls, sensors,
and switches. Finally, the floor plan and elevation designs
of the BioS(h)IP allow for a far larger amount of daylight
to enter the space as compared to more typical American
home designs.
Figure 2: AGI Contour Plot of
Design Lighting Levels in CU’s
BioS(h)IP
20
Energy Balance
Harnessing the Power of the Sun
The photovoltaic (PV) system on the BioS(h)IP is unique
in that it showcases some of the most efficient solar
panels on the market. The SunPower 200 watt panels
boast efficiencies among the highest on the market (ηcell
= 21.5%, ηpanel = 16.1%). In addition, the BioS(h)IP also employs
solar-powered shading devices that not only serves as a
cooling function but generates electricity.
The BioS(h)IP’s photovoltaic (PV) system consists of thirtyfour, 200 Watt SunPower panels for a total peak wattage
of 6.8kW. This system averages a daily production of 15
kWh per day in Washington D.C..
Pairs of PV panels are connected in series to create an
array of 17 strings with nominal electrical characteristics
of 80 Volts and 5 Amps. Wiring is merged to three
Outback Combiner Boxes on the south façade, which feed
three Outback MX-60 charge controllers in the BioS(h)IP
mechanical room. The charge controllers manage the
voltages in the system, adjusting PV panel voltage to
maximize panel power production and then reducing the
voltage to the nominal 48 Volts used by the batteries and
inverters.
The BioS(h)IP; A Zero Energy Home (ZEH)
Designing the BioS(h)IP for the Solar Decathlon and
a client involved a host of tradeoffs. The CU Team
deliberated whether it would be more prudent to design
the photovoltaic system for optimum performance during
the month of October in Washington D.C. or for yearround performance in Boulder, where the house will be
permanently located. The similarity in latitude (~40 N)
between the two locations alleviated the need to design
for two different locations.
The BioS(h)IP produces greater electrical energy than it
would consume in Sterling, VA, over a complete year. In
Boulder, where the solar resource is ~14 percent greater
than Sterling, VA, the BioS(h)IP is an even greater net
producer of energy.
Toward an Energy Balance Contest Strategy
Having the shortest description in the Solar Decathlon
Rules and Regulations, this contest demands the most
strategizing of any other. Intimately understanding
the loads in the BioS(h)IP, in addition to developing a
comprehensive time of use plan, are crucial steps towards
a winning strategy in the Energy Balance Contest.
Batteries You Can Bank On
The battery bank consists of 40 Deka 6 Volt, 370 Amp
hour batteries. The batteries are wired in five strings of
eight to create a 48 Volt, 1850 amphour battery bank
that is designed for the house to have three days of
autonomy.
A Note on Inverters
There are two VFX-3648 Outback Inverters allowing for
a total continuous load of 7,200 Watts in the BioS(h)IP.
A balancing transformer on the AC side allows these
7,200 Watts to be supplied to one pole if needed. The
Outback Inverters can also surge to a combined 12,000
Watts, have an overload capability of 10,000 Watts for five
seconds and 8,000 Watts for 30 minutes.
Solar Powered Shading Devices
The BioS(h)IP showcases a Building Integrated Photovoltaic
System (BIPV) by SBM Solar that also serve as shading
devices over the windows on the south façade. Three 60
Watt, 16 Volt nominal panels connected in series combine
for a total BIPV array of 48 Volts and 180 Watts. The BIPV
shading device array is fed through a Morningstar charge
controller and into the battery bank.
Figure 1: IV Curve for SPR-200 Panels
UNIVERSITY
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BioS(h)IP Solar Electric System
BioS(h)IP PV Roof Layout
Thirty-four SunPower 200 Watt, 40 VDC, 5
Amp panels are connected in series pairs
creating an 80 VDC, 5 Amp Module.
Charge Controllers
Three Outback Power Systems MX60 Charge Controllers take 80 VDC
from each array and convert it to a
48 VDC to charge the 48 VDC battery bank.
Building Integrated
Photovoltaic
3 SBM Solar 60 Watt 16 VDC, 3.75
Amp - 180 Watt The three BIPV
panels (located over southern
windows) are all connected in
series creating a 180 Watt, 48
VDC, 3.75 Amp module
Inverters
Two Outback Power Systems
VFX3648 Inverters are connected
in parallel to provide a total peak
power of 7.2 kW and service the
BioS(h)IP with both 120 VAC and
240 VAC.
Batteries
Fourty Deka 8L16, 6V, 370
Amphr batteries wired in 5
strings of 8 combine for a total
48 VDC, 1,850 Amphr system.
Annual Electrical Energy Balance of the CU Bio-S(h)IP
Sterling, VA
Electrical Load [kWh]
PV Production [kWh]
1,200
kWh
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
22
Menu
A House and a Menu That You Can Sink Your Teeth Into
In developing the Judge’s Menu, the CU Team established
a goal of showing that the proteins, sugars, and fibers
used in their BioS(h)IP home’s materials could also provide
building blocks for human bodies. The CU Team set an
additional objective of demonstrating that agricultural
products are not just for dinner by offering opportunities
for the manufacturing of construction materials and fuels
that could support a stronger U.S. economy and one less
dependent on petroleum.
In order to develop “A Menu That You Can Sink Your Teeth
Into”, which corresponds with the BioS(h)IP’s materials,
the CU Team formed a collaboration with Wild Oats, the
Boulder-based, nationally recognized natural grocery store.
Wild Oats provided a nutritionist from their corporate
staff to work with the CU Team in creating meals that
correlated with the ingredients of the CU Home.
Material ingredients for the BioS(h)IP construction read
like a health food menu and includes such agricultural
feedstocks as corn, soy, wheat, coconut, bamboo, fruits,
flax, and even chocolate. These resources are factorypressed and molded into panels, bricks, building products,
cleaning supplies, and household furnishings. Since
biobased products are made from agricultural resources,
they are low-to-no petroleum and are environmentally
friendly in many ways.
The CU Team’s following selection of building products
from biobased sources are off-the-shelf and can be easily
purchased by anyone in the market for a “green” home.
The Judge’s Menu items can be found at Wild Oats or
other natural grocery stores. You can learn more about
the BioS(h)IP’s biobased building products by referring to
CU’s “Material Guide”.
Food for Thought
CU’s Menu will demonstrate how the ingredients in the
meals served correlate with the BioS(h)IP’s building
materials palette. Following are a few examples:
Soy
Judges will be offered a “Hamburger Meal” from which
they can select salmon or soy burgers.
The CU Team developed a structural wall panel system
using high R-value soy insulation. Phenix Environ building
panels from soy resins are used as a window sill material
in the BioS(h)IP.
Bamboo
Bamboo shoots will be an ingredient in the Asian Salad.
Bamboo panel products are used in the CU Home for
construction of cabinets, wall panels, and furniture.
The judges’ meals will be served on disposable and
compostable bamboo plates. Bamboo forks, knives, and
spoons will also be used. CU students created the home’s
drinking glasses from a local restaurant’s discarded wine
bottles. The bottles were cut and then sandblasted with
the CU Solar Decathlon Aspen leaf logo.
Coconut and Chocolate
Gelato with chocolate sauce and coconut topping will be
dessert served with the “Italian Meal”.
Visitors to CU’s Home will be greeted by a coconut, or
“coir”, welcome mat. Coconut spoons will be used as
cooking utensils. Organic soaps used in the BioS(h)IP
Kitchen are from Pangea Organics, a Boulder-based
company. One hundred present vegan Pangea soaps
are produced from such ingredients as chocolate, olive
oil, green tea, cinnamon, mint, oats, peppermint, sage,
grapefruit, lemon, fennel, rosemary, elderberry, lavender,
rose petals, essential oils, and others.
Wheat
Organic hamburger buns and pasta will be served with
the various judges’ meals.
Wheatsheet is an environmentally responsible, industrial
grade particleboard made from recycled wheat straw and
an emission-free binder. CU used Wheatsheet for their
Sleeping Loft platform. The loft dweller is sure to have
“(S)wheat Dreams”.
UNIVERSITY
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Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds, and mixed nuts will be served in colorful
cornstarch plastic bowls.
The CU Team is collaborating with Colorado State
University’s Boulder County Agricultural Extension Agent
so that the BioS(h)IP’s landscape plants will represent the
home’s building material feedstocks. Sunflowers, soy, corn,
and wheat will be showcased in biodegradable, molded
fiber pots and TREX planters on CU’s “Solar Village” lawn.
CSU coordinated with local middle school children who
provided seed art with the theme of “the sun” for the
BioS(h)IP kitchen walls.
Corn
The judges will be served a “Pizza Meal” with a salad of
greens and corn.
Cornstarch plastics are used in several applications by
the CU Team. They are found in blankets on the home’s
bed and as feedstock for the Team’s disposable dishes.
They are also the source of material used to make BIOTA,
or “Blame It On The Altitude”, water bottles. BIOTA is a
Colorado company that bottles mountain spring water in
cornstarch plastic bottles. The company donated water
for the CU Team to serve the judges and to drink while
working on the National Mall.
Soy, Rapeseed, Flax, and Other Plant-Derived Oils
The CU Team will prepare the judges’ meals using a range
of organic oils.
Plant oils from soy and rapeseed (canola oil) and
cooking waste are the sources for B100 biodiesel used
in transporting the BioS(h)IP to Washington D.C. and
back to Colorado. Linseed oil from flaxseeds is the main
ingredient for the Forbo natural linoleum flooring used
throughout the home. Research from the Green Building
Digest (Green Building Handbook, Wooley et al, 1997, E &
FN Spon, London) shows that in a detailed comparison,
Forbo linoleum comes out clearly as the “greenest”
flooring product available.
Oranges and Lemons
Mock Sangria with lemons and oranges is a beverage that
will whet the judges’ appetite for the CU Home.
Cleaning supplies for the CU Home were selected from
a range of citrus and vegetable-based products. OrangeGlo cleaning products, for sale at Home Depot, were
provided to the CU Team by the Orange-Glo company,
headquartered in nearby Littleton, Colorado.
Wheatgrass
Breakfast of many CU Decathletes - keeping us lean,
green, and mean.
In the BioS(h)IP kitchen, an edible green wheatgrass “frieze”
frames the upper edge of the clerestory windows.
Glass
Drinking glasses made from wine bottles.
CU students created the home’s drinking glasses from
a local restaurant’s discarded wine bottles. The bottles
were cut and then sandblasted with the CU Solar
Decathlon Aspen leaf logo.
And, finally, Clean Up
The judges can rest assured that CU will use a portable
composting unit for disposing of cornstarch plastic dishes
and food waste following meal services. Some food waste
will be disposed in a “worm composting unit”, which is
a clean and tidy indoor unit placed under the kitchen
counter. Worms are avid recyclers that turn food waste
into a rich soil amendment. CU’s Recycling Department
provided the Team with the worm composting unit as
well as paper, metal, and glass recycling containers. The
CU Team will empty its recycling units in local collection
units. Worms are good!
24
Materials CSI Specs
The BioS(h)IP Architectural Materials
Organized into Construction Specifications Institute
Categories
To all the companies listed below who worked with both
the 2002 and 2005 CU Solar Decathlon Teams, we thank
you for your continued support. To our new sponsors, we
extend our deepest gratitude. We’re proud to use and
display the following products in the BioS(h)IP.
The 2005 CU Solar Decathlon Team
4 Masonry
Concrete Masonry Units with Fly Ash and Recycled Wood
K-X Faswall Corporation
www.faswell.com
FASWALL is a masonry unit (concrete block) produced from waste wood
by-products and fly ash concrete. FASWALL is used in the BioS(h)IP
as a structural wall on the north face of the building. The block has a
4-hour rating and an R-value of 18 up to 24, depending on the wallform
configuration and the thermal mass of the concrete core.
1 General
(Not used)
5 Metals
Steel Mobile Home Chassis
Genesis Homes of Colorado
www.genesiscustomhomes.com
Genesis Homes of Colorado, a division of Champion Homebuilders
Corporation and part of the World’s Largest Homebuilder, provided
the recycled content steel chassis for construction of the CU Team’s
competition entry. Genesis and CU worked together to create the
custom built recycled content steel chassis, which will transport the
lightweight, modular BioS(h)IP to and from Washington D.C.
2 Site
Curbside Recycling Containers (and Indoor Recycling Containers)
recycling.colorado.edu
CU’s Recycling Department provided the team with containers for
inside and outside the home. Also provided was an interior “worm
composting” unit for turning food waste generated by occupants of
the CU Home into rich soil for the lawn.
Flowers and plants provided through a collaboration with Colorado
State University, CSU
www.coopext.colostate.edu/boulder/
The CU Team collaborated with Colorado State University’s Boulder
Agricultural Extension Agent in order to provide plants and flowers for
the BioS(h)IP’s landscape. Plants, which represent the home’s building
material feedstocks, such as corn, wheat, soy, sunflowers and others,
will be showcased on CU’s lawn in biodegradable, molded fiber pots
and recycled wood planters. CSU coordinated with local middle school
children who provided seed art with the theme of “the sun” that will
be exhibited in the house.
ALRECO, Aluminum Recycling Company
www.alrecoofkansas.com
Salvaged aluminum for the CU Home’s structural frame was purchased
from ALRECO an aluminum recycling company, in nearby Brighton,
Colorado.
Foundation System
Pin Foundations Inc.
www.pinfoundations.com
The CU Team used the Pin Foundation system in both the 2002 and
2005 Solar Decathlons. In 2002, CU found that this system provided a
solution for building placement on the National Mall where limitations
are set by the National Park Service as to the square footage of turf
that can be disturbed in siting Solar Decathlon homes. Excavation
for conventional foundations results in significant impact to the
immediate environment: severed roots, compaction of surrounding
soils, and siltation of area. The Pin Foundation system provides a stable
foundation with no excavation required.
6 Woods and Plastics
Building Wall System, Wastepaper Panels and Soy Insulation
BIOSIPs, Developed at the University of Colorado
BIOSIPs consist of 3/4 inch Sonoboard exterior layers and Biobased
Soy Systems insulation. The thickness of the soy insulation varies
depending on required R-values for wall or roof panels. Sonoboard is
an engineered molded fiber structural panel manufactured from 100
percent post-consumer waste paper.
3 Concrete
(Not used)
Precision Roofing
www.precisionroofing.net
Precision Roofing of Longmont, Colo., installed recycled content steel
siding with Galvalume finish on the BioS(h)IP’s roof and walls.
Building Wall Panels, 100% Waste Paper, Engineered Fiber Panels
SonoBoard
www.sonoco.com
SonoBoard is a 3D-honeycomb fiberboard panel made completely from
recovered paper or other renewable fiber sources. This efficient and
environmentally benign product contains no added resins or binders
so there is no off gassing during fabrication or use. Sonoboard can be
used for wallboards, furniture, and other applications and is being used
in the CU Solar Decathlon Home as the outer layer of BIOSIP, structural
insulated wall panels.
UNIVERSITY
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Cabinet Doors and Wall Panels Plyboo
Smith and Fong
www.plyboo.com
Plyboo is a bamboo panel product used in the BioS(h)IP for
cabinets, wall panels, and furniture. The cultivation of bamboo is
an environmentally friendly, sustainably harvested process. Plyboo
products are manufactured from bamboo strips that are pressed into
panels that are strong and lightweight. These characteristics were a
perfect fit with the CU Team’s philosophies of “green and lightweight”
since they contribute to lowered fuel needs in transporting the CU
Home. Plyboo also contributes to daylighting in the home, since the
product has a high reflectance value.
Furniture and Wall Panels, Recycled Newsprint, Sunflower, and Soy
Phenix Biocomposites
www.environbiocomposites.com
Phenix Products were used by the CU Team on their 2002 home as
cabinets and countertop. On the 2005 project, the team used Phenix
“Environ Biocomposite” panels from soy and newsprint as an interior
windowsill material. Environ Biocomposites offer the beauty of granite
and the workability of fine hardwood in a material that respects the
environment by using recycled and renewable biobased ingredients.
One and one half times harder than oak, Environ Biocomposite is a
revolutionary material made from recycled paper products, soybeans
and color additives.
Decking, Recycled Wood and Plastic
Trex Decking
www.trex.com
Trex decking and railing products are made from a unique combination
of reclaimed wood and plastic, giving you the best qualities of both
materials. The plastic shields the wood from moisture and insect
damage, so there’s no rotting or splintering. The wood protects the
plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a solid, natural feel. It
looks great year after year. Trex was used to build the CU Home’s
decks in combination with arsenic-free structural framing lumber.
WheatSheet
[email protected]
WheatSheet is an environmentally responsible, industrial-grade
particleboard made from recycled wheat straw and an emission-free
binder. WheatSheet can be used in any application where particleboard is
applicable - cabinets, shelving, countertops, closets, and underlayment.
Its main constituent is recycled wheat chaff, an agricultural by-product
that reduces demand for tree fiber. WheatSheet uses an alternative
binder called MDI Rubinate, which replaces formaldehyde. creating an
EFB (emission-free board) surpassing industry standards set for the
highest grade of particleboard.
Engineered Structural Lumber, Parallams, or PSL’s, Microllams, or
LVL’s Engineered Trusses, Floor and Roof
www.weyerhaeuser.com
Parallam Beams are a product of TrusJoist - a division of Weyerhaeuser.
Parallam beams (parallel strand lumber, or PSL) take advantage of
wood fiber on the outermost edges of the log that is often wasted
during the milling of sawn lumber. This technology makes Parallam
stronger, straighter and longer than sawn lumber. TrusJoist uses highpressure lamination and a water-based non-Formaldehyde adhesive
to minimize VOC’s in its laminated products. In the CU home, PSL’s
are exposed as an architectural feature. Microllam LVL’s are products
of TrusJoist, a division of Weyerhauser. Microllam laminated veneer
lumber (LVL) is manufactured to minimize the effects of wood’s
natural defects so it resists the bowing, shrinking and twisting that
are leading causes of wall cracks. This allows Microllam’s to support
heavy loads with relatively little mass. LVL’s are resource efficient
since they’re made from smaller, younger trees. TrusJoists, or TJI’s, are
products of TrusJoist - a division of Weyerhaeuser. TrusJoist l-beam
floor joists are a high-tech combination of a proprietary web material
called Performance Plus and Microllam flanges. They are a superior
replacement to joists made from ordinary sawn lumber - they resist
the effects of weather and moisture and don’t bow, shrink, twist or
warp. They use up to two-thirds less wood than sawn-lumber joists.
Re-Used Wood and other “Experienced” Materials
Resource 2000
www.resource2k.org
Reused wood for the CU Home was purchased from local Resource
2000, Boulder’s “experienced materials” yard. The CU Team even
purchased one of their main structural beams, which holds up the
eastern section of roofing, from R2K. This beam, exposed as an
architectural feature of the home, is a GlueLam, which provides roofing
support at the Bedroom, Office, and Bathroom, as well as providing
bracing for the eastern hinged area of the movable roof.
Siding, Fiber Cement
James Hardie Industries
www.jameshardie.com
HardiPanel by James Hardie Building Products is a man-made
composite alternative to wood siding. It is composed of Portland
cement, ground sand, cellulose fiber, select additives and water. It
contains no asbestos, fiberglass or formaldehyde. HardiPanel will not
warp, twist or rot. It is non-combustible and guaranteed for 50 years.
Hardi products are used for the BioS(h)IP’s Battery Rack.
26
Materials CSI Specs
Salvaged Wood and Sawmill Services
TC Woods, LLC
Sawmill Services
www.tcwoods.com
TC Woods is a tree-recycling center in Boulder County. This
environmental business takes the waste products of the local tree
care industry & turnlogs, branches and trees into usable materials
and furnishings. The company also specializes in custom sawing of
hardwood lumber. In addition, TC Woods has an in-house woodshop
where they make and sell both stock and custom furniture. Dan Odell,
the company’s owner says, “…we are releasing some of the beauty of
trees back into the community from which they came, and meeting a
lot of other like minded individuals who are working to support ecobusinesses.” The CU Team designed an elegant bathroom counter top
from TC Woods “urban wood waste” to support the Kohler bathroom
sink basin. TC Woods is a favorite shopping spot for CU students.
7 Thermal and Moisture Protection
Insulation, Polyurethane Foam
BioBased Systems, Soy-Based Foam Insulation
www.biobased.com
BioBased soy insulation contains significantly less polyurethane
foam than standard foam insulations and performs as effectively. It
utilizes the renewable resource of soybeans, a crop grown by more
than 600,000 U.S. farmers. This product was used for the CU Home’s
BioSIP panel system. The local installer Friendly Foam installed
Biobased Systems soy foam in the CU project.
North Carolina Foam Institute
www.ncfi.com
The North Carolina Foam Institute (NCFI) donated their 2020, 2lb, 1ft³
foam for the movable roof and chassis installation. NCFI InsulStar®
sprayed-in-place polyurethane foam insultation adheres to, conforms
to, and fills small spaces in the walls, floors and ceiling of the BioS(h)IP.
The result is an effective insulating barrier that stops air leakage and
adds great acoustic properties as well.
Recycled Denim Insulation
EcoProducts
www.ecoproducts.com
EcoProducts is one of Boulder’s environmental and recycled building
products stores. The CU Team purchased recycled denim insulation
for their home from this supplier.
8 Doors and Windows
Door, Entry
Boulder Door and Millwork
Boulder Door and Millwork sponsored both the CU 2002 and 2005
Solar Decathlon Projects. This local company worked with the 2005
Team by providing the BioS(h)IP’s new insulated steel front door as
well as interior doors.
Door, Bedroom
Resource 2000
www.resource2k.org
The bedroom door, which separates the public spaces of the CU Home
from the more private spaces such as bathroom and home office, is
a re-used door from Resource 2000, Boulder’s local “experienced
materials yard.” The wood hollow core bedroom door was handpainted in colorful layers of yellow, green, and red low to no toxin
paints by members of the CU Team. The door using on a space saving
sliding barn door track.
Window Frames and Window Glass
Alpenglass
www.apeninc.com
Alpen Windows of Boulder worked with CU on both the 2002 and
2005 Solar Decathlon projects. Alpen makes some of the highest
tech, most energy efficient glazing available. Their Heat Mirror glazing
products go far beyond “low-e.” Heat Mirror allows window glass to
block summer heat, retain winter warmth, eliminate harmful ultraviolet
rays and maximize the passage of natural daylight. Each window is
“tuned” (with a different Heat Mirror film) according to its orientation
and need for solar gain or to block heat. Fiberglass frames, one of
the most energy and resource efficient window framing materials
available, are used in combination with Alpen’s glazing systems.
Windows, High R-Value Clerestory Windows at Movable Roof
Polygal Inc, Nanogel
www.nbs-inc.net
Polygal and Nanogel products were integrated as a highly insulating
glazing system for the home’s upper window slices. This combination
of products yields a translucent, removable window system between
the home’s movable roof and the interior walls below.
9 Finishes
Countertops from Recycled Paper and Cellulose Fibers
Richlite Company
www.richlite.com
The Richlite Company manufactures paper-based fiber composites,
which are used for a variety of architectural, food service, recreational,
and industrial applications. Fitting with CU’s biobased philosophy,
Richlite products are used in the home as kitchen and laundry
countertops. Richlite materials are manufactured from environmentally
sustainable resources harvested from certified managed forests in
North America.
UNIVERSITY
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Flooring, Natural Linoleum
Forbo Linoleum, Inc.
www.forboLinoleumNA.com
Forbo is the main flooring material used in the CU Home. Forbo, the
world leader in natural linoleum, has award-winning, aesthetically
appealing products for sophisticated applications. All over the world,
renowned designers and architects choose Forbo’s floor coverings to
create their rooms. Research from the Green Building Digest (Green
Building Handbook, Wooley et al, 1997, E & FN Spon, London) shows
that in a detailed comparison, Forbo linoleum comes out clearly as the
“greenest” flooring product available.
GlassMat, Recycled Floor Mat
www.glassmat.net
GlassMat is a material for use as a floor mat under office chairs.
Developed in Boulder, Colorado, GlassMat offers optical transparency
and clarity while providing a tough, durable flooring surface for high
use areas.
Paint Additives, Heat Barrier
Heatshield-R20 Radiant Barrier Paint Additive
www.heatshield.com
Heatshield is a very fine white powder that combines selected hollow
ceramic microspheres, which reflect and dissipate heat. When mixed
with any paint or coating, Heatshield transforms the paint into a
radiant barrier coating.
10 Specialties
(Not used)
11 Equipment
(Not used)
12 Furnishings
Bedding and Pillows, Cornstarch
INGEO
www.ingeofibers.com
Ingeo fibers are a unique, renewable and environmentally friendly option
to polyester bedding fiber. These unique fibers are manufactured from
cornstarch plastic. They are durable, hypoallergenic, and chemical free
and are used to provide types of bedding products. The bed in the CU
home is outfitted with INGEO pillows, mattress pad, and comforter.
Blankets, Cornstarch Fiber
Ingeo Cornstarch Fiber Blankets: Faribault Mills
www.faribaultmills.com
Faribault Mills is the first company in the world to offer woven blankets
made from Ingeo fibers, which are fibers from corn grown in the fields
of America’s heartland. Using manmade fibers derived from plant
sugars found in ordinary field corn, these new blankets require less
fossil fuel to produce, resulting in significantly less CO2 emissions than
standard woven blankets.
Bamboo, Coconut, and Rattan Dishes and Flatware
Sur La Table, Internet Mail Order,
www.surlatable.com
The CU Team served Judge’s meals using bamboo, rattan, and
coconut flatware, dishes, and serving pieces. Bambu™ products are
a beautiful biobased alternative to disposable paper and plastic, and
they biodegrade in six months time. Bambu™ dishware is reusable and
stronger than wood, and it has a satiny hand-finish. It can be washed
and reused several times, however the CU Team disposed of their
Bambu™ ware in the portable composting unit. The bamboo, coconut,
and rattan kitchenware were purchased from Sur La Table’s Internet
mail order service.
Drinking Glasses, Recycled Bottles
Made by CU Students from Recycled Wine Bottles
CU students made their home’s reused glass drinking glasses from
a local restaurant’s discarded wine bottles. Student’s cut a series
of green wine bottles and then sandblasted the CU Solar Decathlon
Aspen leaf logo onto the bottles to create a set of beautiful and
practical drinking glasses.
Mattress, Pillows, and Sheets, Organic Cotton and Natural Latex
Boulder Mountain Futons,
www.coloradofutons.com
Boulder Mountain Futons is Colorado’s largest locally owned futon
manufacturer and alternative sleep center. The CU Team selected
products from this sponsor’s range of organic and natural products.
The BioS(h)IP’s wicker bed is outfitted with an organic cotton mattress,
a natural latex and wool pillow, and organic cotton sheets from Boulder
Mountain Futon. These healthy and logical sleep alternatives are ideal
for those with allergy problems.
Soaps, Organic
Pangea Organics
www.pangeaorganics.com
Soaps that fit the CU Team’s biobased theme were selected from
local producer Pangea Organics. Pangea’s 100 percent vegan products
include such celestial-sounding ingredients as herbal extractions of
marshmallow, olive oil, chocolate, green tea, cinnamon, mint, oats,
peppermint, sage, grapefruit, lemon, fennel, rosemary, elderberry,
French lavender, rose petals, Indonesian essential oils, pine and others.
The company works with fair trade suppliers and support organic
farmers and healthy workplaces. Their products are packaged using
renewable, recycled and recyclable resources.
Soy Candles
Lumia Organic Inc.
www.lumia.us.com
Lumia Organics produces beautiful candles using the finest essential
oils combined with the world’s first organic soy and non-GMO organic
vegetable waxes. These candles are earth-friendly, they are naturallycolored, and fragrance-free.
28
Materials CSI Specs
Towels, Bamboo, Bath
Metaefficient
www.metaefficient.com
Bamboo Fiber Towels from Metaefficient are made out of 100 percent
bamboo fiber and are soft as silk. They come from the fastest growing
plant on earth and there is no fertilizers, pesticides, or chemical
treatments involved in producing them. You will find these in the CU
Home’s Bathroom.
13 Equipment
Cooktop, Induction
Diva
www.divainduction.com
The Diva cooktop induction burners deliver 20,000 BTUs, which is more
power than conventional gas or electric cooktops, while remaining cool
to the touch. The Diva cooktop heats up faster using less energy and
has an efficiency of over 90 percent compared to 50 percent for gas
or even 60 percent for other electric technologies.
Dishwasher
Asko
www.askousa.com
An Asko water and energy conserving dishwasher was donated and
is featured in the BioS(h)IP. This appliance is Energy Star Qualified. It
complies with ADA height guidelines, and includes a Quiet System
Plus insulation package. Its energy usage is 231 kWh/yr.
Oven, Microwave, Convection
General Electric
www.geappliances.com
The space-saving Whirlpool convection microwave oven is an under
the cabinet model, which was donated to the project, and is installed
under the kitchen’s bamboo shelves. It cooks food four times faster
than a conventional oven and has four-way cooking features from
“speed cook” traditional oven cooking and microwave or warming
modes.
Refrigerator by Whirlpool
www.whirlpool.com
Whirlpool donated an Energy Star Qualified refrigerator to the CU
project. This equipment includes such special features as an AccuChill™ temperature management system, contoured door styling with
inside storage and flexibility, and stainless steel finish. Energy usage
for the refrigerator is 417 kWh/yr.
Television
Samsung
www.samsung.com
The CU Team installed their Samsung television on pivoting hardware
on a structural column so that it serves the kitchen, living room,
and sleeping loft. Their Energy Star Qualified TV has an extra-wide
viewing angle of 170 degrees, it is HDTV ready and has both analog
and digital inputs and a low power consumption feature during use
and in standby mode.
Washer/Dryer
LG Combination Washer/Dryer
www.creativelaundry.com
An LG combination washer/dryer, model # WD3245RHD, was donated
to the CU project by Creative Laundry. This water and energy saving
appliance exceeds Energy Star Qualifications by at least 39 percent, it
is user friendly and easy to operate, and has low decibel operation.
15 Mechanical and Plumbing
Auxilliary Water Heater
www.hotwater.com
Conservationist maximum efficiency electric water heaters are suitable
for vented or non-vented use and are well insulated. In the CU Home,
this water heater serves as a back-up for the solar hotwater system.
Energy Recovery Ventilator
www.renewaire.com
The RenewAire BR70 ERV provides simultaneous exhaust and fresh air
supply, reduces the concentration of harmful pollutants in indoor air,
controls excess moisture and recaptures energy by either heating or
and cooling indoor air using the air exhausted.
Glycol-Water Heat Exchanger
www.mcmaster.com
Copper Coil Heat Exchanger (17 Coils @ 18” diameter), 100 ft of 3/4”
cleaned and capped copper tubing runs inside the Solar Storage Tank
to heat water from the solar thermal collectors.
Liquid to Liquid Heat Exchanger
www.flatplate.com
FlatPlate is the leading U.S. manufacturer of high tech Brazed Plate
Heat Exchangers. which offers significant advantages over traditional
heat exchanger technologies. The CU Home uses a DW10x20-18(1”MPT)
liquid to liquid heat exchanger from FlatPlate to transfer heat from the
glycol solution heated by the solar thermal collectors to the domestic
hot water system.
Plumbing Fixtures and Sinks Kohler
www.kohler.com
Kohler provided the kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures used in the
CU home. All beautifully designed and engineered Kohler products are
manufactured in Kohler, WI.
Pump for Domestic Hot Water Heat Exchanger
www.taco-hvac.com
The Taco 008 is designed for a wide range of Residential/Light
Commercial higher-head water circulating applications. The unique
replaceable cartridge contains all of the moving parts and allows for
easy service. Compact, direct-drive, low power consumption design is
ideal for high-efficiency jobs.
UNIVERSITY
OF
COLORADO
Potable Water Pressure Tank
www.flexconind.com
Challenger tanks are one of the more popular water tanks on the
market. Efficient and cost-effective, Challenger tanks are designed
with a patented controlled action, double diaphragm assembly that
is completely contained in a pre-pressurized air cushion that reduces
condensation and regulates diaphragm action. The CU Home uses a
Flexcon Challenger tank to maintain proper pressure in the domestic
water system.
Radiant Panels and Subfloor
www.warmboard.com
Warmboard combines a structural subfloor and a thermodynamically
sophisticated radiant panel into one simple component of a radiant
heating system. Warmboard begins with a stiff, strong, 1-1/8” thick,
4’ X 8’ sheet of tongue and groove, weather-resistant plywood.
A modular pattern of channels is cut into the top surface. A thick
sheet of aluminum is stamped to match the channel pattern and is
permanently bonded to each panel. Warmboard in the CU Home is
heated using the solar thermal collector system.
Solar Potable Water Pressurization Pump
www.conergy.com
Solar Water Pumps require no fuel deliveries and very little
maintenance. In the CU home, a Conergy Solar Water Pump is used to
pressurize the domestic water system.
Solar Storage Tank
A 200-gallon custom-built stainless steel unpressurized water tank
built by Shwift Systems. It is used in the CU Home to store water
heated by the solar thermal collector heating system.
Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA, Inc.
HVAC Advanced Products Divisino
www.mrslim.com
Air conditioning was provided by a Mitsubishi MXZ30TN multi-split
heat pump. The ductless system has a single compressor section,
using variable speed inverter technologies and multiple wall-mounted
indoor units.
Solar Thermal Collectors
www.solarthermal.com
Mazdon evacuated tube solar thermal collectors are used in the CU
Home to heat a glycol solution which is then used to heat domestic
hot water and the radiant floor heating system. The collectors use
vacuum technologies to reduce heat loss and heat pipe technologies
for heat transfer to the glycol solution.
Toilet, Composting
www.envirolet.com
An Envirolet Waterless Remote composting toilet system is used in
the CU Home. This resource efficient toilet provides a water savings
for the CU Home of approximately 100 gallons a day when compared
to a standard home with flush toilet. The toilet’s composting unit is
installed directly below the unit and is attached to the home’s steel
chassis.
16 Electrical
Batteries
www.eastpenn-deka.com
The Deka series of batteries is designed to offer reliable, maintenancefree back-up power for renewable energy applications where frequent
deep cycles are required and minimum maintenance is desirable. The
CU Home makes use of 40 Deka batteries that are designed to provide
the house with up to three days of power.
Charge Controller, Inverters, Combiner Boxes
www.outbackpower.com
OutBack Power Systems, Inc. is a global designer and manufacturer of
cutting edge power conversion solutions that provide reliable electric
power for the renewable energy, mobile and backup power markets.
Lighting Fixtures
www.cooperlighing.com
Metalux fluorescent lighting from Cooper Lighting will be used in
several locations within the CU Home to provide energy efficient,
diffused lighting in several spaces.
Lighting, Pendant
www.eurekalighting.com
Eureka pendant lights are used in the CU Home kitchen to
illuminate the space efficiently using compact florescent lamps.
Lighting, Wall, Spot
www.artemide.us
Artemide’s Tolomeo wall lighting are used in the CU Home to provide
ample task lighting in the bedroom.
Lighting Sensors
www.wattstopper.com
WattStopper lighing controls sense the occupancy and daylighting in a
room and adjust electric lights to appropriate light levels.
Low Voltage Halogen Transformer
www.hatchtransformers.com
Hatch transformers are used in the CU Home to properly power
halogen bulbs in some of the light fixtures.
30
Materials CSI Specs
Solar Panels
www.sunpower.com
Thirty-four SPR-200 solar panels make up the photovoltaic array that
produces electricity for the CU Home. With an panel efficiency of
16.1 mass-produced solar panels, the powerful array provides over
100 percent of the electricity that is expected to be needed for the
home. The SPR-200 solar panels’ black, matte surface also provide an
attractive alternative to most shiny, blue solar panels.
Solar Panel Mounting System
www.unirac.com
Unirac’s SolarMount/S-5! captures the PV potential of standing-seam
metal roofs, without penetrations and at the lowest possible installed
cost. With only two basic components, SolarMount/S-5! clamp sets
are easy to install and align.
18 Sundries
Boulder Chips
www.poorebrothers.com
Boulder Chips’s are made using sunflower and/or safflower oil. The
chips are produced from natural ingredients and are tested at every
stage of preparation to ensure quality. These bio-chips will be enjoyed
by the CU Team throughout the Solar Decathlon competition.
Celestial Seasonings Tea
www.celestialseasonings.com
The CU Team will brew their Celestial Seasonings tea with sun power
on the National Mall. Celestial Seasonings is the largest manufacturer
and marketer of specialty hot teas in the United States. The
Sleepytime Bear will probably not be visiting the CU Team since work
will be going on night and day in the Solar Village. But, a little Morning
Thunder, Red Zinger, and the other wonderful Celestial Seasonings
teas are certain to rev things up for the CU Team.
Chocolove
www.chocolove.com
Boulder-based Chocolove began selling its premium chocolate bars
in 1995. The bars are created based on European processes handed
down from generation to generation. The CU Team was delighted to
learn that Chocolove would provide them with the ultimate chocolate
experience while competing on the National Mall.
Izze Sparkling Juice
www.izze.com
Lemon, Blueberry, Clementine, Blackberry, Grape, Pear, Pomegranate.
Izze beverages are a delicious, natural sparkling juice that has won the
nation’s heart. The CU Team will enjoy Izze products when the Solar
Decathlon competition heats up.
Meals for Judges, Household Products, the “Wheatgrass Frieze, and
CU Team Sustenance
Wild Oats Markets, Inc.
www.wildoats.com
Wild Oats, a natural grocer headquartered in Boulder, worked with
the CU Team in preparing the the organic meals served to the Solar
Decathlon judges. They also provided the wheatgrass frieze that adorns
the cabinet tops in the BioS(h)IP. Wild Oats contributed environmentally
produced household products for the CU Home, including paper towels,
detergents, and office paper. They also contributed their wonderful
Wild Oats-brand foods and beverages to keep the CU Team nutritionally
fortified. Thank you Wild Oats for all this great support.
BIOTA Brands of America, Inc.
www.biotaspringwater.com
BIOTA, or “Blame It On The Altitude”, is an innovative new company
that bottles pure mountain spring water in cornstarch plastic bottles.
BIOTA bottles are compostable and degradable and fit with the CU
Team’s “low-to-no petroleum” philosophy. The CU Team will drink and
prepare meals with BIOTA while on the National Mall.
Silk Soy Milk
www.silkissoy.com
White Wave Inc., maker of Silk Soymilk, won the prestigious Green Power
Partner of the Year award from the U.S. Department of Energy and the
Environmental Protection Agency in 2004. The award recognizes Silk’s
pioneering role in using and promoting renewable energy. White Wave
is the largest American company to purchase wind energy credits for
100 percent of its manufacturing and operations needs. In 2005, the
company extended the impact of its renewable energy purchase to
cover its entire supply chain. The CU Team will keep the soy power
going on the National Mall with soy insulation in their home’s walls
and Silk in their bodies.
Go West T-Shirt Company
www.justgowest.com
The Team’s T-shirts are 100 percent unbleached, organic cotton. The
CU Team’s “dress” uniform shirts for the Solar Decathlon competition
are SPF-30 shirts from Recreational Equipment Cooperative, REI,
Seattle, WA. REI contributes to environmental organizations throughout
the United States.
UNIVERSITY
OF
COLORADO
Principal Investigator, Faculty Advisor
Julee Herdt
Faculty Advisor
Mike Brandemuehl
Faculty Advisor
Rick Sommerfeld
Project Manager
Jeff Lyng
Engineering Lead
Frank Burkholder
Engineering Lead
Kristin Field
Architectural Lead
Mark Cruz
Construction Lead
Drew Bailey
Construction Lead
Jacob Uhl
Business Lead
Jon Previtali
Bryce Colwell
Jimmy Chambers
James Dixon
Ryan Drumm
Kathy Clegg
Geoffrey Berlin
Koki Hashimoto
Isaac Oaks
Greg Shoukas
Adam Courtney
Seth Kassels
Tim Guiterman
Abby Watrous
Scott Horowitz
Appliances
Construction
Construction
Construction
Finishes
Graphics
Graphics
Graphics
HVAC/Solar Thermal
Instrumentation
Photovoltaics
Transportation
Menu
Website
32
UNIVERSITY
OF COLORADO
SOLAR DECATHLON2005
Contact information
2005 CU Solar Decathlon Team
University of Colorado at Boulder
Solar Decathlon Project Mailbox
UCB 314, ENVD Building
Boulder, CO 80309-0314
Fax: (303) 492 6163
[email protected]
http://solar.colorado.edu/

Manual [ 7.2mb] - University of Colorado Solar Decathlon

Transcription

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