The Fire Station ASSESSMENT NARATIVE SUMMARY

Envelope

The thermal envelope of the fire station presents a wonderful opportunity for reducing heating fuel use and making upgrades to the insulation and air barriers constitute the primary recommendations for this building. The description below is also described and depicted in the visual section of this report. Description of Existing Conditions Except for the shed walls added on the back, 53% of the wall surface area on the ground floor is uninsulated concrete block, which performs at best, approximately at R2. The 2x4 shed walls have insulation in the cavities, presumably 3.5” fiberglass batts and can be are estimated to have an effective performance of R9. The overhead bay doors appear to be Keene Doors with over an inch of rigid foam board and may be performing between R6-R8. The slab is uninsulated. Insulation in the ceilings or roofs of the shed additions is a mixture of 6.5” faced batts, some 3.5” batts, and nothing at all. The workout room has a 2x4 end wall which has some 3.5” batts, but installed to a Grade III level. Combined with the air leakage, this wall is estimated to perform at R5-R7. The exterior door installed, but not used, does not fit the rough opening and is a source of considerable air infiltration. A wall mounted A/C unit was upgraded to a more efficient unit at some between February and July, but is not air sealed. Most of the opposing end wall is shared with the meeting room therefore separated conditioned spaces. Yet the peak of that wall extends above the insulated ceiling and therefore separates conditioned from unconditioned space and is uninsulated. The sloped ceilings of the workout room were insulated by volunteers in the summer of 2010 and is certainly an improvement over no insulation at all. However, there remain large areas of rafter bays without insulation, and voids within the batts themselves. Further, the paneling installed on the rafters are not sealed, therefore the fiberglass is not in contact with an air barrier on all six sides and the ceiling’s effective performance further diminished to an estimated all round R14, with over 60 ft2 at R2. Meeting room and offices on the 2nd floor are also 2x4 construction with 3.5 fiberglass batts but with continuous drywall perform at a slightly higher level. A total of eight single pane double hung windows with failing aluminum storms, do not form a seal when closed and leak considerable air through the rough openings. The flat ceiling above originally had 3.5” of fiberglass which, at some point, was covered with 2-4” blown cellulose. Ceiling light penetrations and perimeter air leakage allow some air to be in contact with the fiberglass. However the good news is that the sheetrock was attached directly to the ceiling joists and not strapping, so air infiltration is not as much of a concern: the fiberglass is for the most part in contact with an air barrier on at least three sides,

and at least covered above. As effective layers of cellulose are added, the weight compresses fiberglass to reduce its insulating effectiveness to nearly insignificant levels. The blower door test indicated the average winter air exchange to be over once an hour at rates averaging 1200 CFM and therefore a significant source of heat loss and heating fuel use. Overhead doors are a large culprit, on sides where gaskets are missing or failing and at the floor where sections of concrete are missing. Windows and miscellaneous penetrations account for the rest.

Equipment

Heating: There were four separate heating equipment types in the fire station at the time of the audit: An old, oil fired, Thermopride FHA furnace serving the two story part of the building, including two bay garage, kitchen, chief’s office, second office, and meeting room; A propane fired Reznor space heating serving the three bay garage, dispatch office, work room, and workout room somewhat vicariously; An electric baseboard serving the bathroom; An electric baseboard serves the Chief’s office as the room is not connected to FHA ducts. All units are thermostatically controlled, though only the meeting room is programmable. Six 65 watt halogen spots help heat the dispatch room though the room still stays very cold and installing another electric baseboard was being considered in January 2001. The Thermopride furnace has one simple duct run along the north wall near the ceiling of the two bay. The duct is neither air sealed nor insulated and is in contact with the exterior concrete block wall causing high distribution losses. Three registers supply the garage bays and three short vertically ducted registers run upstairs: two to the meeting room and one to the northern office. One other supply duct runs to a register in the kitchen drop ceiling. Return air is an open duct located above the door to the furnace room and above the drop ceiling. There is no ducted return air from the second floor, except for cold air potentially sinking down the stairwell. Pressure diagnostics during the site visit indicated a pressurized 2nd floor (increasing heat loss through exfiltration). Black soot at all supply registers suggests incomplete combustion is not uncommon. Open registers in the furnace room supply ample combustion make up air, though decreasing the overall efficiency of the heating distribution. The Reznor draws combustion air from the garage air. The two remaining heating units – two electric baseboards – are considered 100% efficient, yet very costly to operate. Adding third baseboard to the dispatch office is not a solution recommended in this audit. Cooling: Only the 2nd floor is air cooled, via four A/C units: three window mounted and one portable. The most efficient is a Kenmore EER 9.4, installed in the workout room since the January visit to replace an even less efficient unit. The Kenmore is set on ‘auto’ at a temp of 65º. A visitor’s log suggests that the room was occupied 11 times in each June and July for approximately one hour each, with only a few exceptions; yet the room is kept cooled 24/7 from spring into fall. On five separate visits this summer, the chief’s office unit, with a EER less than 8) was also running though the building was unoccupied.

Hot Water: Domestic hot water is supplied by a 50 gallon GE electric storage tank (model GE40M06AAG) located off the bathroom on the first floor and next to a shower stall which is evidently rarely used. It has two elements which use 4500/3380 kWh’s each. The yellow sticker estimates total annual usage of 4773kWh. Total hot water demand is unknown and therefore savings from converting to a propane fired tank less system cannot be accurately analyzed. A tank less unit would likely be an appropriate choice for the bathroom, washing machine, and shower – however the distance to the kitchen sink is not optimal. In my opinion, a power vented, wall mounted on demand hot water heater would use less energy in the long run, based on limited and intermittent hot water use, as opposed to storing 50 gallons of hot water 24/7, however I cannot estimate those savings with confidence. Since it was just installed in Sept 2010, replacement is not recommended at this time. However please note that as the appliance ages, conversion is advised. Ventilation: A tail pipe central exhaust system is connected to the outside through large hoses to truck pipes whenever they are started up in the garage, then automatically released when the truck backs out. Other than a commercial stove top hood vent, ventilation only occurs through uncontrolled air leakage and two bath exhaust fans exist, yet appears there are rarely used. The furnace room has two large openings for combustion make up air.

Lighting There appears to be a conscious effort to keep all lights, including bay overheads off when not needed which is a Golden Rule of energy conservation. Further, the overhead fluorescent fixtures have several light switches which allows to light one bay at a time – also a energy conserving control system. The two bay garage has 4’ electronic T8’s and the rest of the bay fixtures have magnetic ballasts and 8’ 59 or 60 watt T12 lamps. More efficient T’s with electronic Super 8 Ballasts need ambient temperatures above 60 degrees to start which may be, I suspect, why they were not converted in the other three bays and why replacing them now is not recommended unless the envelope upgrade package is completed.

Other Electric Loads

The station has specialty equipment and electric loads appropriate for an emergency health and safety service center, and no opinion is offered on replacing equipment or efficiency improvements. Refrigeration in the kitchen may be worth revisiting. The coin operated soda machine in particular runs fairly regularly and may cost between $150 to $250/yr to operate, while a refrigerator is also kept running though often at least 50% empty. Interviews suggest the honor system is less than effective but unless product losses exceed $150/yr, unplugging the machine will save money. At the time of the winter site visit, the Galaxy Freezer was drawing 453 watts and the Watts Up Meter estimated average 31 kWh/ month.

Occupancy The building is sporadically, often sparsely occupied throughout each week of the year. Though when in use, there may be from five to 25 people actively working in it.

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS As stated in the Introduction, improving the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment can have the greatest impact in a poorly performing thermal envelope simply because the heating equipment runs more often in buildings with high heat loss. At the same time, the most effective approach to reducing energy use in the long term is reducing the demand, ie heat loss, through envelope upgrades. Then the efficiency of the equipment plays less of a role in total energy use because it doesn’t have to run as often. Because so much of the wall surface area has no insulation at all and there is a high infiltration rate, envelope upgrades is by far the most reasonable approach. Converting to a single and far more efficient heating and cooling system on the second floor will not only save energy but provide greater comfort and air quality, while also allowing the furnace to operate more efficiently for the kitchen and bay area. In addition, once the demand is reduced, thermostat set backs will become a viable strategy, further reducing fuel use. Tightening the building will save considerable amount of energy but may result in inadequate air exchange on the second floor – especially as it exists over a garage. To assure healthy air quality on the second floor with a minimal energy penalty, an HRV is also recommended. Finally, replacing all T12 lamps with electronic, super ballast T8’s is also recommended, but only after envelope upgrades. may suffer, therefore

Envelope 1. Reduce uncontrolled air infiltration: Install new gaskets on overhead doors and patch concrete floor to allow for a tighter seal. $850 2. Add gaskets to three exterior doors: $150 3. Remove (or possible replace) exterior door in work out room, re-frame and air seal sheathing, and upgrade insulation to an effective R11 cavity of whole wall; then install 1” foil faced rigid polyiso on interior face. (Alternates: replace door with R4 door and install heavy duty gaskets to effect an air seal; or keep door and install gasket only) $ 600 4. Cut into paneling on slopes behind EAST knee walls and foam seal / insulate above top plate and create air seal to insulation; install high density fiberglass batts in all cavities missing insulation then tape seal ALL paneling joints in both EAST and WEST knee wall attic areas. $1450 5. In ceiling above meeting room and offices: foam seal/insulate over all exterior top plates and seal to any venting. Air seal ALL ceiling penetrations from lights or other. Blow in additional and level 10” cellulose, while mounding as necessary against southern end wall. $2100 6. Install thermodome over attic access hatch. $100 7. Windows: Permanently remove all A/C units from windows and adjust windows to open and close securely. If heat pump is not installed, install window units in the wall with a custom made 2” rigid foam cover which can be gasketed for a tight fit. Effect a continuous air seal around Workout Room A/C unit. Est: $450 Option A: Add weather-stripping to all nine windows on the 2nd floor. The Workout room has a broken window pane which needs to be replaced. Est: $180 Option B: Remove all windows down to rough openings and install new window units (max values of u.3 and shgc .42); caulk or foam seal into place before replacing trim. A mid range

quality window with expert installation is better than an expensive window and conventional installation practices. Est $4500 8. Gut all existing fiberglass insulation in the shed roof bays; foam seal over top plates and dense pack cellulose into cavities. Est $1050 9. Temporarily remove bathroom cabinet in window and remove window: frame, air seal, insulate and cover with appropriate surface before replacing cabinet. Est $125 10. Insulate exterior block walls on first floor with minimum 2” rigid foam, taping all seams with appropriate butyl tape (no tyvek type tapes). Estimate includes vinyl siding. 11. Install interior therma pane storm on fixed window glazing behind single bay. $150. Foam over window which is covered in drywall on the inside in the kitchen area. $20,000 Total Estimated Costs (with Option A under #7): Estimated annual savings based on $3.75/gallon for both oil and propane: Simple Payback ROI after 10 years

$27,205 $3,139 8.5 years 15%

HVAC Equipment 1. Seal all duct work in furnace room and above kitchen drop ceiling with HVAC rated foil tape or mastic. 2. Install a ducted register in the drop ceiling, so return air comes from room, not chase above kitchen. 3. Option A: remove all register connections to 2nd floor and all window A/C units and install an air to air high efficiency mini split heat pump system to heat and cool four zones in the second floor: Two offices, meeting room, and work out room. Install programmable thermostats with appropriate set backs for sporadic occupancy. Faster recovery time will make manual override an acceptable option for occupancy. Electric baseboard in office may stay in place but savings dependant on the electric baseboard, three A/C units, and portable A/C not being used. Option B: Keep existing heating and cooling systems in place, but replace A/C units with more efficient units (with EER ratings above R14) and mount in wall with effective air seal and winter thermadome. 4. Install small HRV unit (Lifebreath or similar) in workout room knee wall attic with fresh air supply and return to workout room and meeting room with CO2 monitors for controlling ventilation rates. Total Estimated Costs (with Option A under #3): Estimated annual savings Estimated 12 year savings based on $3.75/gallon for both oil and propane: Simple Payback (assuming stagnant fuel costs) ROI after 12 years

$18,000 $1,700 $19,440 10.5 years 13%

While completing envelope upgrades alone appear to make the most financial sense, improving the envelope and converting to air to air heat pump technology with an HRV for heating and cooling the second floor has other distinct benefits making for a superior upgrade plan: greater comfort, greater control, better air quality, including reducing garage air from entering upstairs areas and improved ventilation. Total Estimated Costs (with both Option A’s):

$45,205

Estimated annual savings at fixed fuel prices Estimated 12 year savings based on $3.75/gallon for both oil and propane: Simple Payback ROI after 12 years

$4,887 $48,868 9.5 years 8%

Estimated annual savings based on $3.75/gallon and 2% annual increase Simple payback ROI after 12 years

$78,330 7.5 years 73%

Lighting However, IF the envelope upgrades are performed, maintaining 60 degrees will be far easier with less fuel, therefore retrofitting to Super T8 Ballasts is recommended. The most glaring lamp replacement opportunity is the six (6) 65 watt halogen spots in the ceiling of the dispatch room. In addition to high wattage for relatively low lumen levels, these lamps put out a tremendous amount of heat. Temperatures of over 150º were measured in July. This means that they provide some heating in the room – enough to make it overheat even on a coolish summer day, and enough that if removed, the room would be even more uncomfortable in the winter under existing envelope conditions. T8 retrofit 44 8’ and 13 4’

Estimated cost: $1,482 Estimated annual savings at 850/600 hours annual operation $223 Simple payback 6.5 years 10 year savings (at fixed electricity costs $2,223 10 year ROI 50% Estimated costs after possible rebate Simple payback 10 year ROI

Replacing (6) 65 watt bulbs, assuming 40/hr week operation (2080 hrs/yr) Costs for 6 lamps with expected 5 year life span Estimated annual savings Estimated simple pay back

$342 1.5 years 552% $48 $105 5 months