BuildingEnergy Boston 2024 Evaluations
Thank you for joining us at BuildingEnergy Boston 2024. Please help us continue to improve this event:
- Evaluate the entire conference
- Evaluate the sessions you attended below
NESEA staff will share your feedback with next year’s conference planning committee to guide the design and content of BuildingEnergy Boston 2024. Questions? Contact Ben Sachs-Hamilton, Conference Director, at bsachs-hamilton@nesea.org.
Tuesday
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday Keynote — Climate Changed: What Will You Do When Your Project Floods?Tuesday Keynote — Climate Changed: What Will You Do When Your Project Floods?In light of the catastrophic flooding which occurred throughout the Northeast region in 2023, we must challenge ourselves to confront the increased likelihood of extreme weather events and diminished water resilience that our projects now face. Resilience can only be achieved if we embrace the reality of new weather patterns and adjust both design and funding strategies accordingly. Speakers will delve into the critical intersections between water, resilience, decarbonization, and preservation to emphasize that this is an all-hands-on-deck challenge which extends beyond the boundaries of... Full Description |
9:00 am to 10:00 am |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Biomaterials: A Regional and Global Movement for Climate Justice and ResilienceBiomaterials: A Regional and Global Movement for Climate Justice and ResilienceBuilding with bio-based materials allow us to address the combined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Workforce development, housing access, regional supply chains, and sustainable food and forest systems are all key elements of climate resilience and justice. In this session, learn how building materials fit into this pattern as we explore a UN report on biomaterials and a Northeast initiative to scale their use in the built environment. The presenters will facilitate an engaging workshop after the presentation, where participants will identify actionable... Full Description |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Equitable, Data Driven, Domestic Hot Water DecarbonizationEquitable, Data Driven, Domestic Hot Water DecarbonizationWhile electrification of domestic hot water is picking up steam, outdated sizing guidelines result in oversized, expensive, and inefficient systems, especially in affordable multifamily housing. New Ecology’s data, from over 20 affordable multifamily housing sites, reveals differences between the measured loads and traditional sizing guidelines, presenting opportunities for higher system efficiency, reduced operating costs, and lower first costs as these buildings move to electrify their domestic hot water. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Go All Electric: Decarbonizing Public Housing in BostonGo All Electric: Decarbonizing Public Housing in BostonBHA and Arup will present the results of a decarbonization study that lays out a plan to fully electrify 10,000 public and affordable housing units throughout the Greater Boston area by 2030 to meet an ambitious fossil free housing target. As the largest housing provider in Boston, the BHA decarbonization project will set a precedent for addressing the climate crisis while providing affordable housing that has a positive impact on the health and safety of both residents and the environment. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Learn to Create Your Own Manual J Energy ModelLearn to Create Your Own Manual J Energy ModelWhen used early in the design process, energy modeling is a powerful tool for decision making, not only for sizing equipment but also for shaping buildings and selecting materials. Iterative energy modeling results in reductions in construction costs, embodied carbon, and energy use. With current climate and energy goals, energy modeling must be a tool available to all design and building professionals. Learn to create energy models of your own today! |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Mitigating Refrigerant Leakage in Residential ElectrificationMitigating Refrigerant Leakage in Residential ElectrificationWith rapid heat pump deployment and increased use of refrigerants, mitigating the global warming impact of refrigerant leaks is critical to achieving the climate benefits of electrification projects. We will discuss the importance of preventing refrigerant leakage, common ways refrigerants can leak, and what both practitioners and homeowners can do to reduce refrigerant leakage in their homes and projects. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Beyond Anthropocentrism: Practical Design for Resilient Building EnclosuresBeyond Anthropocentrism: Practical Design for Resilient Building EnclosuresAs part of a whole-building design approach, building enclosure is a key lever in reducing operational carbon emissions. With early phase detailing, precise thermal modeling can be performed to set achievable envelope performance criteria and define critical design components. This leads to more rigorous conversations with construction partners and more certain cost outcomes. We will explore recent thermal studies of panelized enclosure solutions for large scale high rise buildings that meet Passive House performance criteria. |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
Energizing Tomorrow: Navigating the Identification and Evaluation Processes for Successful Geothermal ProjectsEnergizing Tomorrow: Navigating the Identification and Evaluation Processes for Successful Geothermal ProjectsJoin us for an enlightening panel session that delves into the pivotal role geothermal can play in commercial and network scale building decarbonization, energy consumption reduction, and climate resiliency in our communities. We will guide you through key considerations and strategies for site identification and project evaluation to enable successful ground source heat pump implementation in your projects. From the initial planning stages to project execution, learn about the critical factors and recent innovations that drive quality geothermal system design, enhanced installation... Full Description |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
Global Passive House: Extreme Climates and Cultural ChallengesGlobal Passive House: Extreme Climates and Cultural ChallengesWhat does it take to meet the Passive House standard in countries with extreme climates? Can Passive House be adapted to specific cultural demands that seem at odds with Passive House principles? What can we learn from vernacular architecture? The session takes a deeper dive into the investigation of how the Passive House approach can be deployed globally, its opportunities and challenges. |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
Resilience and Sustainable Design for Laboratories: Harvard Science and Engineering Complex Case StudyResilience and Sustainable Design for Laboratories: Harvard Science and Engineering Complex Case StudyThis session will present a case study of the 544,000 sf Harvard Science and Engineering Complex, one of the most sustainable and resilient buildings ever constructed. The project employed a highly integrated design process to satisfy the aggressive performance goals set by Harvard. These included resiliency measures to address climate change, in particular sea level rise, and the highest possible energy efficiency, while providing a healthy environment for occupants, extensive water use reduction, and recycling. |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
The Green Upgrade Calculator: A New Economic Modeling Tool for Home DecarbonizationThe Green Upgrade Calculator: A New Economic Modeling Tool for Home DecarbonizationThis session will present RMI’s new freely available economic modeling software for different home decarbonization technologies (e.g., rooftop solar, battery storage, weatherization, air-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters), demonstrate how different types of energy professionals can leverage it (e.g., estimating bill impacts of whole home versus hybrid air-source heat pumps), and visualize results for different retrofit types across the northeast (e.g., percent of homes that can cost-effectively electrify). |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
A Revolution in Embodied Carbon: Four Pivotal MaterialsA Revolution in Embodied Carbon: Four Pivotal MaterialsLearn about the "Fab Four" top embodied carbon materials and how we can reduce their environmental impact. The Federal Government is focused on this topic through a pilot procurement process to shift the market, as is NYS through EO #22. Let’s learn about how we can address steel, asphalt, concrete, and glass to radically and significantly reduce embodied carbon in our buildings and horizontal design! |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Energy as a Human Right: Virtual Microgrids in Low-Income CommunitiesEnergy as a Human Right: Virtual Microgrids in Low-Income CommunitiesWhat was once a vision by the Green Justice Coalition (GJC) to support environmental justice communities by making them resilient and removing fossil fuels in their neighborhoods is becoming reality. The goal is simple: How can you provide a decarbonized heating and cooling system on a resilient virtual microgrid without taxing the residents? Chinatown Power Inc., along with the GJC are set to make that vision a reality. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Hot Water Electrification: Methods to Reduce First Costs, Embodied Carbon, and Operating CostsHot Water Electrification: Methods to Reduce First Costs, Embodied Carbon, and Operating CostsProducing domestic hot water is costly in terms of energy required to physically heat water, and financially when opting to use electricity to do so. Advances in DHW system efficiencies and industry best practices can mitigate these operational costs to a degree. Other good news is that the recently adopted MA plumbing code now allows engineered water systems, leading to additional first cost savings and reduced embodied carbon. This session will quantify how an engineered approach can result in meaningful upfront savings and ongoing dividends when it comes to dollars and carbon. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Pretty Good Reno: The Greenest House Is an Existing HousePretty Good Reno: The Greenest House Is an Existing HouseAn existing house represents an enormous amount of “up front” carbon that has already been committed. The more we can re-use it, the less carbon we are releasing per unit of housing. But when is enough enough? This session is about finding the sweet spot between existing and desired, and how to balance expense vs savings. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Systems Thinking for Resilient Homes, Communities and OrganizationsSystems Thinking for Resilient Homes, Communities and OrganizationsThis session will explore the use of systems thinking to accelerate decarbonization in homes and organizations. Through a case study of a single family property being redeveloped as a Passive House infill project, we will illustrate how the design and construction process can leverage the developer’s needs and available incentives. This session is appropriate for the emerging professional in building science as well as the experienced practitioner who wants to level up their impact. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Building as Teacher: Education, Resilience, and Sustainability from the Inside OutBuilding as Teacher: Education, Resilience, and Sustainability from the Inside OutFranklin Cummings Tech is transforming from a technical/vocational post-secondary school into a 21st-century hub for workforce development, offering technology-focused, vocational, and green economy-driven higher education. The panel will present a case study of an all-electric and resilient building as a teaching lab, minimizing the school’s environmental impact and demonstrating hands-on education to provide equitable workforce opportunities for an underserved community. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
Heating with Ice for Cost Effective Electrification, Resilience and OptimizationHeating with Ice for Cost Effective Electrification, Resilience and OptimizationBuilding electrification using air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) is costly and requires a significant amount of space. Ice heating has the potential to reduce the capacity of ASHPs needed for full electrification by 50%, while also allowing for grid interactive peak shifting for added energy resilience and time-of-use carbon savings in order to meet decarbonization policies and local stretch codes. This thermal storage solution can dramatically reduce first costs, carbon emissions, and space required for full electrification of new construction and existing buildings. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
The Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy RevisitedThe Deep Energy Retrofit Controversy RevisitedOur window to avoid catastrophic climate change is closing. Existing buildings are one of the largest sources of emissions and among the hardest to decarbonize. At BuildingEnergy Boston 2023, Rachel advocated for “moderate” retrofits as a scalable strategy. Michael responded that deep energy retrofits must be pursued wherever possible. Despite the disagreement, Rachel and Michael share a common goal and are struggling with the same question. In this panel, they will explore that question together: How do we balance doing what we believe is achievable here and now with our obligation to... Full Description |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
Thermal Resilience as a Retrofit MetricThermal Resilience as a Retrofit MetricThis session will discuss thermal resilience as a benefit of passive building strategies, and its impact on occupant safety during an outage situation. The session will explore modeling methods to determine how the building will “float” during an outage, and discuss how keeping occupants safe and the space habitable during an outage can be used as a retrofit design metric. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm |
Wednesday
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday Keynote — The Power of Systems Thinking: Designing Equitable and Resilient InfrastructureWednesday Keynote — The Power of Systems Thinking: Designing Equitable and Resilient InfrastructureOur built environment is often developed in silos, with individual owners, engineers, and designers identifying opportunities, constraints, trade-offs, and costs solely within their project boundary, and with limited evaluation of the larger community impacts. To transition to a more resilient and equitable built environment, we must first understand who is most reliant on our community assets and infrastructure, and what resilience means to them. Using examples from Massachusetts and California, we will discuss how centering equity and climate risk in the design and decision-making... Full Description |
9:00 am to 10:00 am |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Efficiency is DecarbonizationEfficiency is DecarbonizationOur most abundant and easiest decarbonization effort is the often-neglected investment in efficiency. Sometimes referred to as the “negawatt,” many programs (primarily weatherization) stress making the building more efficient first, so that the electrification protocols operate better, smaller, and more efficiently. This session will discuss the history and science of building efficiency, and will highlight historical case studies of small (1-4 unit) and larger (5+ unit) residential buildings. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Inside and Out: Insulating Our Existing Masonry BuildingsInside and Out: Insulating Our Existing Masonry BuildingsIn the Northeast, we have a large stock of uninsulated masonry buildings. Leaving these buildings as-is is not compatible with efforts to reduce carbon emissions and will not address climate shifts, the fabric of the community, or occupants' health. We explore insulating from the interior or exterior. The approach must be informed by feasibility, durability, toxicity of materials, installation cost, embodied carbon, emissions, and overall envelope performance, including freeze/thaw damage. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Scaling Residential DecarbonizationScaling Residential DecarbonizationMassCEC’s Decarbonization Pathways pilot has tested and refined a protocol for a home decarbonization assessment with a goal of eliminating the use of fossil fuels in small residential buildings. The pilot also tested approaches to providing targeted support at the time customers are ready to act. This panel will cover the outcomes from the first cohort, discuss the ongoing second cohort, and describe further refinements for the upcoming third cohort. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
The RESNET Carbon Trifecta: HERS Index + CO2 Index + Embodied CarbonThe RESNET Carbon Trifecta: HERS Index + CO2 Index + Embodied CarbonThe "trifecta" of RESNET standards concerning operations (HERS Index), the grid (CO2 Index), and embodied carbon together provide the capacity to analyze Carbon Usage Intensity. This session will explore time-of-use, load reduction and carbon sequestration in buildings at both the single-family and multi-family (up to 25 units) scale to show cumulative impact. We’ll also discuss the policy benefits of energy labeling and decarbonization for advancing climate literacy, and the economic, health, and social benefits of implementing RESNET carbon trifecta methods. |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm | ||
Tools for Connection: Practicing Inclusion in Your WorkplaceTools for Connection: Practicing Inclusion in Your WorkplaceHave you, or the company you work with, expressed interest in being more diverse, equitable, and inclusive? Do you work at a company already committed to DEI work that wants to pursue that work with other like-minded folks? Is this the first time you have heard about building professionals discussing anti-racism and want to learn more? If any of these questions resonate with you, this session is for you! |
10:30 am to 12:00 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
How Building Professionals Can Harness Geothermal Energy for New Climate-Resilient Housing at ScaleHow Building Professionals Can Harness Geothermal Energy for New Climate-Resilient Housing at ScaleSpace conditioning accounts for more than 40% of home energy consumption. Geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat and cool a building, making them the most impactful way to reduce energy use while eliminating fossil fuels from homes. This presentation will cover best practices - and major pitfalls to avoid - in project planning and execution, addressing the unique characteristics of geothermal projects to reduce system costs and ensure effective performance. It will also review the financial and environmental benefits through a case study, including a historical review of... Full Description |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
IRA One Year In: The Fast-Evolving Facts of the Inflation Reduction ActIRA One Year In: The Fast-Evolving Facts of the Inflation Reduction ActIt's still early days for the Inflation Reduction Act, but projects are already applying for funds. Providing massive funding for many categories of energy projects, the IRA is especially prioritizing solar and geothermal systems, as well as sustainable designers themselves. Guidance continues to be released, and there are already successes and failures to learn from. This session will address the Investment Tax Credit, Elective Pay, Transferability, Section 179D, Depreciation, EV charging station credits, Prevailing Wage, and Apprenticeship, while leaving plenty of time for questions.... Full Description |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
Monitored VRF Performance in New Multifamily BuildingsMonitored VRF Performance in New Multifamily BuildingsSpeakers will review findings from a DOE-sponsored study of VRF performance in three new, multifamily buildings in New York City. Two of the buildings are affordable Passive House properties. The study focused on humidity control in apartments, finding that during the summer of 2023, average RH was often 65-70%. The study identified some clear Dos and Don'ts, but it also highlighted additional questions about this technology. |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | ||
Resilient Design for Facilities, Communities, and ClimateResilient Design for Facilities, Communities, and ClimateIn October 2022, Boston Medical Center opened an 82 bed behavioral health center unlike any other. This session explores how a former 1960s nursing home was transformed into an NZE inpatient facility that engages both physical and social resilience strategies. This case study illustrates how designing for the dignity and safety of all occupants, along with back-up power systems and robust programmatic flexibility, combine to benefit the building’s community and healthcare ecosystem. |
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Leveraging the Logic of Offsite Construction: A Gamified TrainingLeveraging the Logic of Offsite Construction: A Gamified TrainingThis will be a fun, fast-paced and interactive session that invites designers and architects to try their hand at deploying the logic of panelization to adapt a design for offsite construction and Passive House performance. Participants will work independently or with teams to imbue their design with as many intersections between Passive House and Offsite Panelization as possible. Learn ways that allow for shorter construction times, less material waste, and tighter/higher performing envelopes. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Lowering Total Carbon Emissions in a Dorm: Strategies for Design and ConstructionLowering Total Carbon Emissions in a Dorm: Strategies for Design and ConstructionDiscover how two innovative dormitories in Vermont, 17,000 square feet each, set new standards in low carbon emissions, both in construction and operation. This presentation delves into a comparative study of these buildings: as built, optimized for energy efficiency without embodied carbon reduction, and built to energy code with no carbon considerations. Utilizing the BEAM tool for material carbon accounting and NREL's Cambium tool for operational carbon emissions forecasting, we'll explore lessons learned from the analysis. Join us to learn about the high-performance features of these... Full Description |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Massachusetts Stretch and Specialized CodesMassachusetts Stretch and Specialized CodesThis panel will discuss the Massachusetts Stretch and Specialized Codes, including key provisions such as thermal bridge accounting and mitigation, thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI), ventilation energy recovery, and efficient electrification. We’ll also provide an update on which communities have adopted the Specialized Code. Paul Ormond and Joanne Bissetta (Department of Energy Resources) will kick off the discussion from the state perspective, followed by experts Christopher Grey (Simpson Gumpertz & Heger) who will discuss thermal bridging and Olivia Brady (Karpman Associates)... Full Description |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Quality and Quantity: Strategies for Accelerating Single Family Passive HousesQuality and Quantity: Strategies for Accelerating Single Family Passive HousesThis session will present three case studies showing various aspects of the rapid development of single-family passive buildings. Each uniquely addresses the ability to a) expedite the process of certifying multiple single-family units within a development, b) reduce the total cost/sq. foot of single-family homes, and c) successfully prefabricate and construct entire communities of Phius certified buildings. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | ||
Rivermark: Occupied Rehab and Facade Replacement for Climate Resilient CommunitiesRivermark: Occupied Rehab and Facade Replacement for Climate Resilient CommunitiesThis session will showcase the implementation of a high-performance façade assembly on an existing high rise concrete multi-family housing building complex, and the resulting measured data of operational energy and water consumption. In addition to addressing climate resilience, we will discuss how the project addresses community resilience by allowing the tenants to remain in their homes through construction and improving the quality of their spaces through design. |
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm |
| Session Title | Time | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|---|
Buildings as Power Plants: The Growing Role of Virtual Power Plants in the NortheastBuildings as Power Plants: The Growing Role of Virtual Power Plants in the NortheastVirtual Power Plants (VPPs) are aggregations of smaller aggregated Distributed Energy Resources (DER) like solar and batteries that act like a traditional power plant. This session will define the growing impact of VPPs in helping the Northeast to achieve affordability and reliability in a clean energy future. The panel will also explore new business models surrounding the evolution of DER’s value via emerging utility programs, FERC 2222, Non-Wires Alternatives, and EV-to-x technologies. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
Passive House Verification: Get It Done Right, and EarlyPassive House Verification: Get It Done Right, and EarlyWith the continued adoption of the MA Specialized Energy Code, the certification of Passive House buildings in MA and the wider region will continue to expand in all markets. Effective completion and certification to Passive House standards will be critical for timely turnover, occupancy, and efficient operation of these buildings. Learn how engaging the verification team early, including in design and on-site inspections, can lead to effective communication and project completion. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
They're Making Me Do What? BERDO 2.0 from the Building Owner PerspectiveThey're Making Me Do What? BERDO 2.0 from the Building Owner PerspectiveBuilding performance standards are no longer a theory. Programs that have been in development for years are now being implemented and building owners are being asked to improve the performance of their buildings. To make the task easier and ensure equitable outcomes, administrators are putting together tools and resources. Explore these resources, equity measures, and the building owner journey through the lens of Boston’s building performance standard: BERDO 2.0. This session will outline how Boston is helping its residents, including tools/resources and the Equitable Emissions Fund. A... Full Description |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | ||
What We Wish Everyone Knew: Using Commissioning Discoveries to Make Buildings BetterWhat We Wish Everyone Knew: Using Commissioning Discoveries to Make Buildings BetterAudience participation will be welcome during this interactive session exploring avoidable issues found during commissioning, how they result in brand new systems being installed in ways that compromise building performance from day one, and how we can avoid these pitfalls. |
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm |
