Overview
This Home Innovation Research Labs project aims to showcase the effectiveness of the developed vacuum-insulated panel (VIP)-enhanced retrofit insulation panel solution on two multifamily buildings in Albany, NY. The enhanced panels can increase insulation R-value by a factor of five with the same material thickness, providing a significant advantage in terms of installation and transportation.
| Project Type | Problem to Solve | Solution | Location | Timeline | Partners |
| Residential retrofit | Time and cost of deep energy retrofits | Vacuum-insulated panel-enhanced retrofit insulation panel | Albany, NY | September 2022–February 2026 |
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Project Goals
The project aims to field validate the VIP-enhanced retrofit insulation panel for low-rise multifamily buildings and confirm that the expected 67.4% energy use intensity (EUI) improvement has been met during the 1-year monitoring period. Additionally, the project aims to demonstrate that the VIP-enhanced retrofit insulation panel product can be mass-produced within a manufacturing environment and confirm the cost feasibility (preliminary estimates are between 3% and 15% of the additional manufacturing cost and the additional costs of VIPs).
Impacts
The slim profile of the enhanced retrofit insulation panels can be easily installed on existing building envelopes while accommodating a wide range of architectural details, including various styles of windows, doors, and cladding products. This product can be installed while the building is occupied.
Technology Impact
The VIP-enhanced retrofit insulation panel (4″) is 66% thinner compared to a conventional 12″ panel while maintaining similar thermal performance (R-44 to R-47). This solution contributes to achieving reduction goals by decreasing EUI by 67.4% and lowering transportation, storage, and installation costs.
Market Impact
This technology could benefit the nearly two million existing multifamily buildings of similar vintage built in the 1970s and 1980s across the United States.
- Completed fire and thermal testing.
- Conducted focus groups and interviews and completed a market research report.
- Installed sensors in units for monitoring energy usage and indoor air quality.
- Completed an energy audit and blower door testing.
- Completed an electrification study for the site.
- Prepared detailed drawings for construction and met with building code officials.
- Selected a contractor for construction, which should begin in July 2024.
- Technology, product performance, and pricing vary among VIP manufacturers.
- VIPs are sourced internationally because the product is not manufactured in the United States.
- Market drivers for the use of retrofit panels are not the manufacturers, but rather the building owners and energy efficiency companies.
- Panels will be fabricated with project partner Panelwrights, and construction will begin in July 2024.
- Once the retrofit work and construction are complete, Home Innovation Research Labs will monitor the energy use and air quality for 1 year.
- Home Innovation Research Labs will produce and distribute a commercialization kit, which will provide the blueprint for any company that wishes to manufacture the enhanced panel.
- The commercialization kit will provide design details, a commercialization plan, plant layout details, and technical results from the field study.
General Inquiries: [email protected]
About the ABC Initiative
The Advanced Building Construction (ABC) Initiative, led by the Building Technologies Office (BTO), integrates energy efficiency and advanced technology solutions into industrialized construction processes to drastically increase the speed and scale of high-performance, low-carbon building retrofits and new construction.
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Page last updated: June 5, 2024