Optimizing Energy Efficiency: A Data-Driven Home Energy Retrofit of an existing Pittsburgh house. A study conducted under the Environment and Climate in Architecture course, taught by Prof. Vivian Loftness.
Optimizing Energy Efficiency: A Data-Driven Home Energy Retrofit of an existing Pittsburgh house. A study conducted under the Environment and Climate in Architecture course, taught by Prof. Vivian Loftness.
Optimizing Energy Efficiency: A Data-Driven Home Energy Retrofit of an existing Pittsburgh house. A study conducted under the Environment and Climate in Architecture course, taught by Prof. Vivian Loftness.
Home Energy Retrofit
Optimizing Energy Efficiency: A Data-Driven Home Energy Retrofit of an existing Pittsburgh house. A study conducted under the Environment and Climate in Architecture course, taught by Prof. Vivian Loftness.
Constructed in 2018, this modern stand-alone house remains in the hands of its original occupants. Home to four residents, including two adults, the property is surrounded by lush greenery, with newly planted trees that are still maturing. Structurally, the house features a classic wood frame with R13 insulation, vinyl siding, and a stone-covered heated basement. While the home provides good thermal comfort, the garage’s orientation limits natural light, increasing the reliance on artificial lighting.
​
Situated on an incline, the basement is partially above ground and includes a convenient walk-out door. Currently, the home does not utilize rainwater harvesting, recycling systems, or renewable energy sources. However, the owners are exploring zoning strategies and other parameters to optimize heating efficiency. The heating system is gas-operated, and natural ventilation is supported through operable windows, complemented by night insulation with honeycomb blinds for shading. Most installed equipment is energy-efficient and star-rated.
​
This project focuses on a comprehensive home energy retrofit, analyzing the existing construction, passive and active systems, and evaluating potential upgrades using REM/Rate software. The goal is to assess energy-saving strategies and cost-effective improvements to enhance the home’s efficiency.
A detailed analysis was conducted on the construction details, examining the overall U-value of the building envelope and calculating both the peak and annual loads. Comprehensive data was collected on internal equipment, followed by a REM/Rate simulation, which was compared to manual calculations based on existing energy bills.
Analysis
​
The graph below illustrates a comparison of annual loads between the REMrate Model and the Retrofitted Model. In comparison to the REMrate model, the Retrofitted Model shows lower heating and cooling loads. However, there is only a slight decrease in the lighting and appliances load in the Retrofitted Model, as most of the equipment in the client’s house is already energy-efficient. Therefore, only five retrofitted solutions have been proposed. The addition of photovoltaics has substantially reduced the loads..
30% Reduction
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. The diagram below illustrates the HERS Index for the house. The HERS Index for this house falls within the range of 0-100, complying with the required performance standards for an new home. In comparison to a standard REMrate Baseline Model this house is 32% more efficient.
