Lead Performer: Cold Climate Housing Research Center – Fairbanks, AK
July 9, 2020
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Lead Performer: Cold Climate Housing Research Center – Fairbanks, AK
Partners:
-- Panasonic Corp. – Newark, NJ
-- Taġiuġmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority – Utqiagvik, AK
-- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
DOE Total Funding: $375,161
Cost Share: $95,293
Project Term: July 2020 – May 2022
Funding Type: Advanced Building Construction FOA Award
Project Objective
Vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) are poised to transform the building industry by making homes more energy efficient with little additional upfront cost. However, they are currently uncommon due to their inherent fragility. As the R-value relies on the vacuum inside the panel, any damage to the panel negates the insulation value of the system. With today’s residential construction methods and fastener technology, it is nearly impossible to avoid damaging panels during assembly or over the life of the home. These issues make VIPs incompatible with current construction techniques.
To overcome these issues and capitalize on the high R-value of VIPs, the project team will develop a new building system with durable assemblies that can perform in Arctic conditions. The long-term plan is to make the system a mass-market building platform that can address the need for affordable, high-efficiency housing across the nation. This starts with a proof of concept that will be built and tested at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. Developing this concept in the country’s only Arctic state, which has the coldest temperatures and highest energy costs in the U.S., will ensure its durability and performance in other climates.
Project Impact
The energy-savings payback of this system is estimated to be eight years with applicability and potential benefit in every U.S. climate zone. For remote regions such as central Alaska, the payback would be even shorter as the cost of energy exceeds the assumed retail energy cost. Considering the building envelope alone, this system is expected to achieve a reduction in heating/cooling energy of at least 48% and an annual savings of 1,637 TBtu if implemented nationwide.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Marc LaFrance, [email protected]
Lead Performer: Bruno Grunau, Cold Climate Housing Research Center