Design and Evaluation of Energy Efficient Modular Classroom Structures
Loading...
Date
1996
Authors
Bernhard, Sarah
Brown, G. Z.
Briscoe, John
Kline, Jeff
Kumar, Pawan
Wang, Zhunqin
Rasmussen, Donald
Rasmussen, Kenneth
Stanard, James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Housing Innovation, University of Oregon
Abstract
The objective of our investigations was to develop
innovations that would enable modular builders to improve
the energy performance of their classrooms without
increasing their first cost. The Modem Building Systems'
classroom building conforms to the stringent Oregon and
Washington energy codes, and at $18/S.F. (FOB the
factory) it is at the low end of the cost range for modular
classrooms. Therefore the objective we set for ourselves was
challenging. We proposed to investigate daylighting, crossventilation,
solar preheat of ventilation air, and thermal
storage as ways to reduce energy use. Simple paybacks range from 1.3 years in Honolulu to 23.8
years in Astoria, OR. Therefore in the five climates we
investigated in Phase I we came closest to achieving our
objective of increasing energy performance without
increasing the first cost of the unit in the Honolulu climate.
We were able to do this in Honolulu because a preheater
was not required, and we were able to save money by
eliminating the economizer unit, using cross-ventilation,
and reducing insulation in the envelope. Our second best performing climate was Fairbanks with a
simple payback of 7.7 years. In this case we were able to
eliminate the heat pump and economizer by using crossventilation,
thereby reducing cost.
Our third best performing climate was Bakersfield,
California, which had a simple payback of 10.3 years.
Spokane had a simple payback period of 17.2 years. The
major cost increases in Spokane are in the preheater and
lights, with a modest increase in windows. Astoria had the
worst payback period of almost 24 years with most of the
increased cost being in the preheater, windows, and lighting.
The savings from the preheater are modest. In Phase II of this project, by combining the strategies of
improved electrical light-switching, perimeter insulation,
shading, window sizing, preheater configuration and
location and HV AC locations, we expect to reduce simple
payback periods to 0 years in Honolulu, Hawaii; less than 2
years in Bakersfield, California; 3 years in Astoria, Oregon;
4 years in Fairbanks, Alaska; and 8 years in Spokane,
Washington.
Description
6 pages
Keywords
Modular construction, Classrooms