Bill Spohn takes you on his journey of building his house "with ideas stolen from the future." Not a Passive House, definitely running on solar, maybe a Net-Zero House (time and testing will tell). But certainly, it is what he defines as a Personalized Performance Home that is pretty/handsome, very comfortable with superb Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and uses energy responsibly: it's the SpohnHome.
webinaire-green-mirror-episode-2-Smart contracts and virtual purchase agreeme...
SpohnHome presentation @ 2021 HVACR Symposium
1. SYSTEMS USED AND LESSONS LEARNED
BUILDING A HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME
OR WHAT’S IT LIKE LIVING INSIDE YOUR THEORIES
BILL SPOHN
HVACR SCHOOL 2021 SYMPOSIUM
MARCH 12, 2021
2. A FAVOR TO ASK:
SEND BILL INTO SPACE
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Video produced by Joe Medosch ->
3. BILL SPOHN
• 1988 – 1998
BACHARACH, INC.
• 1999 – 2009
TESTO, INC.
• 2009 – NOW
TRUTECHTOOLS, LTD
• BS & MS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
• PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING LICENSE
• TECHNICAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEMBER
• CONSULTANT, TRAINER
• PODCASTER:
• BUILDING HVAC SCIENCE
• RESTALK
2019
I’m
not a
builder!
4. WE ALL KNOW WHAT A HOME IS, BUT….
• WHAT IS PERFORMANCE?
• COMFORT
• SAFETY
• HEALTH
• IAQ
• ENERGY
• RATING
• WHAT IS PERFORMANCE?
• SUSTAINABILITY
• DURABILITY
• GREEN
• CLIMATE CHANGE
• BUDGET
• CODE
• ?
Performance is personal
Meets your needs.
Aligns with your understanding.
Gives you what you want.
At a price you can afford.
5.
6. OUR GOALS
• FLATTER THE NATURAL VIEW
• HAVE SPACE FOR A LARGE GARDEN
• A HOUSE WE WANT TO LIVE IN
• STYLE: HANDSOME OR PRETTY
• FUNCTIONAL: ONE FLOOR LIVING, FOREVER HOME
• COMFORTABLE & HEALTHY
• ENERGY EFFICIENT & ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
• FUTURE-PROOF
Nov 2018
June 2020
7. GOALS FOR OUR HOME
• FLATTER THE VIEW
• VERY COMFORTABLE
• FUNCTIONAL FOR US
• SUPERB IAQ
• ALL ELECTRIC – SOLAR POWERED
• ROOM FOR A LARGE GARDEN
• ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
8. US DOE Climate Zone MAP
Based on
heating
degree-days,
average
temperatures,
9. INFLUENCERS FROM MY NETWORK
• HOME ENERGY – HOUSE AS A SYSTEM
• LINDA WIGINGTON
• HELEN PERRINE
• A PATTERN LANGUAGE
• CHRIS DORSI
• “DESIGN FOR PEOPLE, GOOD BUILDINGS FOLLOW”
• ROBERT BEAN
• PASSIVE HOUSE CONCEPTS
• KNUT HOYER
• PRACTICAL PASSIVE
• RHETT MAJOR
• ALL ELECTRIC
• NATE ADAMS
10. • CONTINUOUS INSULATION
& NO THERMAL BRIDGES
• AIRTIGHT CONSTRUCTION
• HIGH PERFORMANCE
WINDOWS
• DOUBLE PANES ALLOWED
• MANAGE SOLAR GAIN
• SHADING
• HRV/ERV
• MINIMAL HVAC SYSTEM
From www.phius.org
“It’s about control.”
www.HomeDiagnosis.tv
11. PRACTICAL PASSIVE
• RHETT MAJOR
• LOCAL EXPERT
• PASSIVE HOUSE TRADE INSTRUCTOR
• TRAINED IN AUSTRIA
• OUR CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT
• KEEPING PASSIVE WINDOWS
• AIR SEALING DETAILS
• THERMAL BRIDGING
• HEATED BATHROOM FLOOR
12. MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
• ECOCRAFT HOMES
• THRU RESEARCH FOR PASSIVE HOUSE BUILDER
• THE ONLY ONE IN OUR AREA!
• VALIDATION OF THEIR WORK:
• IBACOS- HOME CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH FIRM
• OWNER BUILT HIS OWN MODULAR
• BILL & RHETT TEST THE HOUSE HE LIVES IN
• MODULAR IS THEIR ONLY MODE
• PUSHING THE ENVELOPE OF THE BUILDER AND
FACTORY WITH SOME COMPROMISES
13. SMI - STRUCTURAL MODULARS INC.
ROAD TRIP!!!!
77 miles from factory to
house site
Built to withstand a Richter 7
earthquake
14. BENEFITS OF FACTORY BUILT
• JIGS AND FIXTURES – IT MUST LINE UP LATER!
• CONSISTENT WORKFORCE
• WORK TO COMES TO THE WORKERS & QA
• MATERIALS ARE ALWAYS PROTECTED INSIDE
• WWW.BIT.LY/HOUSES-LIKE-CARS
• MODULES ARE FAIRLY OPEN, OUT-GASSING HAPPENS BEFORE DELIVERY
• WALLS ARE BUILT FROM INSIDE OUT, ALLOWING FOR BETTER AIR SEALING
• WORK IS DONE FROM ALL 6 SIDES AT ONCE
• OVERBUILT - HOUSE MUST BE FIT FOR A ROAD TRIP (7 ON THE RICHTER SCALE)
• LESS WASTE THAN SITE BUILT
15. ALL ELECTRIC HOME
• IT’S THE WAY OF THE FUTURE
• HEAT PUMP HEATING AND COOLING
• INDUCTION COOK TOP
• HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER
• HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYER
• ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
• HEATED FLOOR IN MASTER BATHROOM
INFLUENCED BY NATE ADAMS
WWW.NATETHEHOUSEWHISPERER.COM
24. KWIK MODEL
• TOTAL HEAT LOSS = 41,214 (ABOUT 45% OF THAT IS THE BASEMENT)
• SENSIBLE HEAT GAIN = 19,962 (ALMOST NONE OF THAT IS THE BASEMENT)
• LATENT HEAT GAIN = 5,962 (ALMOST NONE IN THE BASEMENT)
• TOTAL HEAT GAIN = 25,924
25.
26.
27.
28. COMPARING MODELS
Model Total Heat
Loss
Sensible Heat
Gain
Latent Heat
Gain
Total Heat
Gain
Sq Ft Basement
included?
Kwik Model 41,214
(22,668)
19,962 5,962 25,924 4,480 Yes
Manual J 24,555 19,217 1,900 21,118 2,880 No
PHPP 24,850 9,523 3,720 No
29. AIR INFILTRATION TEST
• BLOWER DOOR TEST
• ACH 50
• AIR CHANGES PER HOUR AT 50
PASCALS TEST PRESSURE
• OUR GOAL WAS 1.0 ACH50
• CURRENTLY AT 1.1
30. IT’S ABOUT THE DETAILS
• AVOID THERMAL BRIDGING IN
WINDOW FRAMING
• AVOID AIR LEAKAGE BY TAPING
MATERIAL SEAMS/JOINTS
31. INFILTRATION
• NO FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES
• EXTREME AIRSEALING DETAIL
• PLUMBING STACK VENTS
• WINDOWS
• OUTLETS
• HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYER
• ATTIC HATCH AIR SEALING
• STANDARD RANGE HOOD
• OUTSIDE EXHAUST
• BUILT IN TO MICROWAVE
33. SOLAR POWER
• 12 KW ARRAY
• NREL SITE PRODUCTION ESTIMATE 14.7 KWH AC
• EXISTING “FIXED” 1980 HOME
• +GAS SPACE AND WATER HEATING
• ANNUAL USAGE 7200 KWH ELECTRIC ONLY
• WHY THE EXCESS?
• NET METERING
• FUTURE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
• TAKING ADVANTAGE OF
• LOCAL SOLAR COOP PRICING
• ONE AND DONE PERMITTING
• SRECS
• POSSIBLE (FUTURE) COMMUNITY SOLAR
46. BENEFITS OF FACTORY BUILT
• CONSISTENT WORKFORCE – ASSEMBLY LINE
• WORK TO COMES TO THE WORKERS, CONSTANT QA
• OVERHEAD CRANES
• MATERIALS ARE ALWAYS PROTECTED INSIDE
• WWW.BIT.LY/HOUSES-LIKE-CARS
• MODULES ARE FAIRLY OPEN, OUT-GASSING HAPPENS BEFORE DELIVERY
• WALLS ARE BUILT FROM INSIDE OUT, ALLOWING FOR BETTER AIR SEALING
• WORK IS DONE FROM ALL 6 SIDES AT ONCE
• OVERBUILT - HOUSE MUST BE FIT FOR A ROAD TRIP (7 ON THE RICHTER SCALE)
• 10-20% OF CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS OUTSIDE THE FACTORY
64. MIELE CLOTHES
WASH AND DRYER
• LOTS OF TECHY FEATURES
ON BOTH
• HEAT PUMP CLOTHES
DRYER
• NO VENTING
• 120 V OPERATION
• SLIGHTLY LONGER RUN
TIMES
• MINIMAL ENERGY USE
No venting chosen to control the house pressures / air leakage.
65. INSPECTIONS
• EACH MODULE SEPARATELY INSPECTED
BY A PA STATE INSPECTOR IN THE
FACTORY
• LOCAL CODE OFFICIAL EASILY SIGNED
OFF
• SEPTIC AND PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
WERE A CHALLENGE
• APPRAISERS DID NOT “GET IT”
66. REGIONAL WORK in PA
EcoCraft Homes: Pittsburgh
Structural Modular: Strattanville
Energy Doctor: Irwin
Specialty Precast: Prospect
Adams Excavating: Prospect
Ventana Windows: Export
Envinity Solar, State College
Dillan Well Drilling: Darlington
CW Electrical Services, Pittsburg
Dennis & Sons Plumbing, Pittsbu
Pittsburgh Asphalt, Pittsburgh
Strisna Cement, McDonald
84 Lumber, Mars
more..
67. Time Line
Consider
a future
move
JAN -14 OCT-19
Factory
build
Move to
“5 Year”
House
JUL -14
Looking
for land
JAN -17
Buy land,
Contract
with PH
Architect
APR -18
Visit SMI
Factory
JUN -18
End PH
Contract
SEP -18
Begin
Design w/
EcoCraft
NOV -18
Signed
Builder
Contract
AUG -19
NOV-20
Move in
House set
& on site
finishing
begins
JAN -20
+4 SPEED
BUMPS!
68. SPEED BUMP#1
• WHAT NO SEWER LINE?
• SITING, TESTING, DESIGN,
COUNTY HEALTH APPROVAL
OF ON-LOT SEPTIC BEFORE
EXCAVATION
69. SPEED BUMP#2
• COVID-19
• TEMPORARY WORK STOPPAGE BY GOVERNOR’S MANDATE
• TEMPORARY HALT TO ON-SITE FINISHING OF CONSTRUCTION
• TEMPORARY HALT TO DRILLING FOR WATER
• DELAYING DELIVERY OF APPLIANCES AND FURNITURE
• LAST 2 APPLIANCES ARRIVED ON DEC 4
70. SPEED BUMP#3
• WHERE’S THE WATER?
• FIRST DRILLER USED CLASSIC CABLE TOOL
METHOD- SLOW
• HAD A GOOD WELL IN MAY, THAT FAILED TO
PRODUCE IN JULY
• DRILLED A 2ND WELL IN AUGUST WHICH FAILED
• TRIED TO SEAL 1ST WELL IN AUGUST WHICH
FAILED
• SECOND DRILLER GOT GOOD WELL IN ONE DAY
IN SEPTEMBER!
• THIS DELAYED ORDERING A PLUMBING
INSPECTION
71. SPEED BUMP#4
• COUNTY HEALTH DEPT PLUMBING INSPECTION
• DEMANDED DISHWASHER BE INSTALLED – MINOR DELAY
• WILL NOT SCHEDULE INSPECTION DUE TO OVERBOOKING
• IN THE MIDST OF THIS 2 PLUMBING INSPECTORS ARRESTED
ON FELONIES -ACCUSED OF FALSIFYING RECORDS
74. All Electric Home:
Ducted Air Source Heat pump
Induction cook top
Heat Pump water heater
Heat pump clothes dryer
Solar power
Performance governed by comfort
<1 ACH50
Energy Model via PHPP & Manual J
Solar shading on windows
Conditioning ERV
Keep track at www.SpohnHome.com
79. • PRELIMINARY ON APRIL 30
• 1153 CFM50 (1.7 ACH50)
• FIXES MADE
• “READY” ON SEPT 3
• 789 CFM50 (1.2 ACH50)
• FIXES MADE
• FINAL: TBD
BLOWER
DOOR
TESTS
EFFICIENCY & COMFORT
80. EFFICIENCY AND COMFORT: HVAC SYSTEM
• 2SEPARATELY DUCTED SYSTEMS
• H & AC
• V
• MORE DETAILS HERE: HTTP://BIT.LY/
SPOHNHOME-HVAC
81. HEATING
• SPACE HEATING ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP
• BACK UP ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE
• FUNCTIONS AS AC IN SUMMER
• HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER
• HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYER
• INDUCTION RANGE
82. HAC Supplies Zone 1
Living room (3)
Laundry (1)
Dining room (2)
Kitchen (3)
HAC Supplies Zone 2
Master bath (2)
Power room (1)
Office (2)
Entry hall (1)
Master bedroom (2)
6x36 central return
Z2-2
Z2-2
Z2-1
Z2-2
Z2-1
Z1-3
Z1-3
Z1-2
Z1-1
CERV Supplies
Master bedroom (1)
Living room (1)
Office (1)
CERV Returns
Master bath (1)
Power room (1)
Kitchen (1)
Laundry (1)
CS CS
CS
CR
CR
CR
CR
83. HAC Supplies Zone 2
Bathroom (1)
Bedroom 2 (2)
HAC Supplies Zone 4
Bedroom 3 (2)
Lounge (5)
CERV Supplies
Bedroom 2 (1)
Bedroom 3 (1)
CERV Returns
Bathroom (1)
Attic closet (1)
Z2
12x8 central return
Z2
Z4
Z4
CS CS
CR
CR
Bedroom2
Bedroom3
84. YET THE ZONES WERE CONNECTED DIFFERENTLY!
• ZONE 1: 9 OUTLETS
• ZONE 2: 11 OUTLETS
• ZONE 3: 6? OUTLETS BASEMENT
• ZONE 4: 7 OUTLETS
• ZONE 1:
• ZONE 2:
• ZONE 3:
• ZONE 4:
87. CERV2 Comfort & EE
• Conditioning ERV
• 1/3 Ton heat pump
• MERV 13 filters
• Both air streams
• It’s pretty SMART
• Assesses air quality
• Recirculation 1st
• Fresh air brought in
• Off when not needed
• Mfd by BuildEquinox
88. CERV2 DATA
PORTAL / APP
• REALTIME CONTROL FROM
ANYWHERE
• ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTANT
EXPOSURE VS. STANDARDS
• REALTIME AND HISTORICAL
MEASUREMENT DATA
89. CERV2 IAQ Data: SpohnHome
Home is not yet occupied
Lots of
painting
Green= Ventilating
Pink= CO2 level
Orange= VOC level
90. CERV2 Temp Data: SpohnHome
Home is not yet occupied
H&AC system most often turned off
AirHandler set to 20% duty cycle in October
91. CERV2 Humidity Data: SpohnHome
Home is not yet occupied
H&AC system most often turned off
Windows opened
93. COMFORT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
APPLIANCES
• ENERGYSTAR REFRIGERATOR AND
DISHWASHER
• INDUCTION RANGE
• MICROWAVE WITH VENT HOOD
COMBINATION
• EURO-STYLE WASHER & DRYER
• HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER
Hole Control
97. ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE:
SOLAR POWER
• TECHNICAL DETAILS
• 12 KW: 32 X 375 W TRINA PANELS
• 2 SMA SUNNYBOY INVERTERS WITH SECUREPOWER
• ECONOMIC BENEFIT
• NET METERING
• SOLAR RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS – SRECS
• MEDIA COVERAGE
• WWW.BIT.LY/SPOHNHOME-TRIB
• WWW.BIT.LY/SPOHNHOME-TRIB1
• WWW.BIT.LY/SPOHNHOME-SOLARTOUR
98. Solar Production: SpohnHome
0
20
40
60
80
7/14/24 7/18/24 7/22/24 7/26/24 7/30/24 8/3/24 8/7/24 8/11/24 8/15/24 8/19/24 8/23/24 8/27/24 8/31/24 9/4/24 9/8/24 9/12/24 9/16/24 9/20/24 9/24/24 9/28/24 10/2/24 10/6/24 10/10/24
Net metering (kWh) Consumed
Daily data missing
Average per day used
Inverters not yet reporting
production
Only 1 inverter
reporting
105. HEAT PUMP FAILURE CONCLUSION
• DR. BERGMANN CAME OUT FOR A CHECK UP
• TRIED TO EVACUATE, SHOWED SIGNS OF LOTS OF MOISTURE
• HUNG UP AT 1350 MICRONS
• CAUSE
• CRACKED FLARE PULLED IN MOISTURE DURING HP MODE, NOT AC MODE
• DESTROYED THE POE
• “YOUR NEW CAR GOT TOTALED DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT.”
• TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT (2 COILS AND LINE SET)