ENERGY MODELLING

MANUFACTURERS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT WOODEN WINDOWS, DOORS AND MOULDINGS K.Parker Joinery SAFIERA Accredited Manufacturer of Energy Efficient Wooden Windows and Doors GREEN BUILDING Here is an interesting article I received from Mike Barker of Building Physics. Mike is helping us to improve the standard of our products through simulations of U value. SHGC and Visual Transmittance. Striking a Balance The energy modelling approach allowed for by SA’s building energy usage regulations provides an attractive alternative to SANS 204 Is it possible to put up a better building at a lower cost and without the limitations of SANS 204? South Africa’s building energy usage regulations are not as restrictive as some may lead you to believe. The energy modelling approach allowed for by the regulations provides an attractive alternative. Project managers often act as client representatives and in doing so they take on the role of optimising the budget rather than just meeting it. In other words, they seek to squeeze the most value out of a project – both in terms of the delivered building and its long-term operating overheads. Avoid the constraints PMs will therefore be most interested in all the compliance routes allowed by SANS 10400 Part XA: “Energy usage in buildings”. Made mandatory on 9 November 2011, the amendments to the act require that buildings are designed and constructed so that they “are capable of using energy efficiently”. SANS 10400 XA, in turn, references the SANS 204 Standard: “Energy efficiency in buildings”. This is where a good deal of confusion arises. SANS 204 has been around for a few years and it’s easy to assume it’s the only game in town. But blindly following the SANS 204 prescriptive route will not necessarily deliver the least costly design or save the most energy. It is also important to bear in mind that 204, while a good starting point, is immature and untested. It does not take much to improve a typical South African building and therefore 204 did not have to do much to appear effective. However, what little it does, is very restrictive. Compared to other international building codes that are now over 30 years old and have had the weaknesses knocked out of them by good architects, wise quantity surveyors and even lawyers, SANS 204 has a long way to go. There will always be better ways to go about the business of designing energy efficient buildings. Two alternative compliance routes are expressly detailed in the act: 1. A rational design approach that demonstrates the energy usage of the building is equal or less than that of a baseline SANS 10400 XA building. 2. The theoretical energy usage, determined using specific software, is less than that of a baseline building as specified in SANS 10400 XA. How exactly is all this done? The answer lies in modelling the energy used by the buildings, using specialist software to simulate the annual operation of the building. This can then be utilised to improve a building’s design and to make informed decisions about the cost trade-offs. Energy modelling is a tried and trusted method widely used by modern integrated project delivery processes that are promoted by architects and engineers (e.g. American Institute of Architects, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and even PMBOK to a degree). Integrated design requires a detailed understanding of interactions in a building, and modelling should be incorporated early in the design process. To gain extra credits, energy modelling has been used extensively on over 15 000 LEED buildings and by the GBCSA’s Green Star rating tool too. Using a set of detailed equations that factor in every effect – from that of the envelope’s solar gains to HVAC performance – modelling calculates the energy used every hour of the year. A typical weather file and the schedule of the operations of the building are used. Such detailed calculations are precise, repeatable, and a least-risk rational design. Modelling is all about getting the balance right, of ensuring the design uses fenestration, thermal mass, and insulation in the right quantities and in the right circumstance to provide a building that is not only thermally and visually comfortable, but uses energy and materials responsibly. PMs need to be aware that Part XA further requires that an accredited energy modelling software be used. There are two Agrément SAapproved packages available currently. Moving toward net zero buildings Legislation in Europe requires new buildings to be so efficient by 2030 that they will have an annual net energy consumption of zero. This effectively avoids having to build new power stations, which has made our government take notice. Government is expected to follow up SANS 10400 Part XA with legislation requiring buildings to display labels showing their audited energy usage. The results of an energy efficient design will be there for all to see, with the building’s owners and prospective tenants able to pass judgement. Energy modelling as a rational design route is open and transparent and can withstand scrutiny by all parties involved. It assists the whole team to make decisions based on well-established building science. As such it is the least risky design option, and an invaluable tool that is available immediately to optimise building costs. Mike Barker (www.buildingphysics.co.za) A Committee Member of the International Building Simulation Association, and a member of ASHRAE & CIBSE. BuildingPhysics provided modelling for Africa’s first LEED NC 2009 Gold and Silver Buildings. Contact Mike: +27(0)11083 6987 / mike@buildingphysics.co.za

Do You Have SANS 613 Certificates for your Building?

Do You Have SANS 613 Certificates? THE NBR ACT REQUIRES SANS 613 CERTIFICATES FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS IN ALL NEW HOUSES AND RENOVATIONS. KPJ CAN SUPPLY YOU WITH SANS 613 CERTIFICATES Almost daily I get calls asking me for information and advice on the new energy efficiency laws and how they affect their building and renovations.(re: SANS 10400 XA and SANS 204) The NBR Act includes the requirement that home builders must adhere to the National Building Regulations and National Standards Act 103 of 1997 as amended. A Competent Person must be appointed to ensure compliance. The Standards mentioned here refer to SANS 10400 XA and. SANS 204 Fenestration forms a very important part of the regulations and the FIRST REQUIREMENT is that ALL builders of houses must get a SANS 613 certificate from his supplier which means the supplier of windows and doors has had products tested independently for airtightness, water resistance and structural strength and passed a minimum level of A1. KPJ has SANS 613 certificates for its windows and doors and therefore can supply details to the Competent Person. How to calculate your building plans against the Constant U value and SHGC ASK KPJ for simulated U values and SHGC of wooden windows and doors (in most cases, these values are much better than the worst case values in SANS 204) You can use these simulated values to calculate your building plans against the Constant U values and SHGC in SANS 204.

Are SANS 10400XA and SANS 613 linked?

Yes,  they are linked.

 I have had MANY calls on the need FOR SANS 613 CERTIFICATION BELOW 15%  

 

REGULATION XA3 INVOKES SANS 10400 XA WHICH STATES:

4.4.4 FENESTRATION

  4.4.4.3 All fenestration air infiltration shall be in accordance with SANS 613.

 

IN SUMMARY

A)   SANS 613 CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR FENESTRATION FROM 0-15 % OF NET FLOOR AREA PER STOREY AND FROM GREATER THAN 15% 

 

B)    SANS 204 4.3.4. COMES INTO EFFECT AFTER THE 15% FENESTRATION AREA HAS BEEN EXCEEDED, THEN COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTANTS FOR U VALUES AND SHGC VALUES IS REQUIRED IN ADDITION TO SANS 613

Use Only SANS 613 Compliant Wooden Windows and Doors

KPJ's full range of wooden windows - frame+glass - (Side Hung, Top Hung, Fixed, Sliding Sash and Mock Sash) is now SANS 613 compliant for both single and double glazing (a requirement in SANS 10400 XA)

 

 KPJ has tested complete wooden windows, Side Hung, Top Hung, Fixed and Sliding Sash, in the Rotatable Guarded Hot Box (RGHB) so that the customer can choose the most cost effective GLAZING option. (SANS 204)

 

This means you can use KPJ U values and SHGCs when designing your next project. Enquire for further information.

 

We are soon to be involved in an exciting project testing TRIPLE GLAZING using local glass (economical option) to prove that fenestration will return a better value than bricks and mortar.

No need to design poky windows.

 

We are also SANS 613 compliant with Sliding Doors, Single Hinged Doors and Shopfronts 

 

 

The Essential Ingredient for Every House Plan

Almost hidden in the NBR 10400 XA standard is a requirement that EVERY window placed in a new building or renovation must have passed the SANS 613 test for air tightness.

 

Why is this important?

 

Whatever the plan you have for a new building or renovation, the U value of the frame+glass is meaningless if air leaks through the frame.

 

Every type of KPJ single and double glazed window is certified as having passed the SANS 613 test.

KPJ  has SANS 613 certificates for hinged doors and shopfronts as well.

 

Further, windows cannot be tested for thermal values in the Rotatable Guarded Hot Box (RGHB) unless they have passed the SANS 613 test.

This is your guarantee that the projected in-house temperatures are accurate.

K.PARKER JOINERY

44 12^TH Road KEW Sandton

Why Choose WOOD?

We are in a very competitive industry and the benefits of choosing wood for residential buildings is often forgotten so I would like to go over some good–for-wood points in the light of the growing movement for energy efficiency.

Apart from being an aesthetically pleasing material, wood is far easier to work with than is often understood. By knowing the facts you can make a more informed decision about whether wood is the right material for your project.

Our specialty is the manufacture of quality wooden windows, doors and mouldings of all designs.

Let us look at the facts.

1. Wood has the best thermal insulation properties of any mainstream construction material. Saves money on energy bills.

2. Wood's cellular structure contains air pockets which limits its ability to conduct heat and gives it this good insulation. Aluminium in comparison has no air pockets and is an excellent conductor of heat which is why it is often used for cooking pots so you can imagine what happens in a house. Aluminium increases energy bills.
3. Glass is a good conductor of heat (ever felt your steering wheel after your car has been left in the blazing sun) that is why we are now promoting LowE glass which is an energy efficient alternative. It gives you better indoor comfort. LowE glass saves money on energy bills.
4. Wood has the best long lasting properties. An extreme example: In 2011 Archeologists found 7000 year old timbers buried in the silt below the MI6 HQ on the banks of the river Thames. Wood structures built hundreds of years ago are still standing in Russia. Wood gives long lasting savings on energy bills

Another big advantage for wood is its low embodied energy ( the sum of all the energy required to produce a product)

Wood helps preserve the environment and is good for health too

Now that we are offering LowE glass with our products we have the ideal energy efficient combination for your next building project. It will save money on energy bills

                   Please visit our website   www.kparkerjoinery.co.za  or contact me personally by email  kelly@kparkerjoinery.co.za or phone 011 786-5471

STEEL TO WOOD CONVERSIONS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
K. PARKER JOINERY has considerable experience in converting steel windows to wood.

You are not inconvenienced during the conversion.

   There is no better time than NOW to convert

·        No breaking of walls

·        The steel window is removed

·        The steel frame is left in place

·        The wooden window is fitted into the steel frame

·        Wood cladding is placed over the steel frame

·        The wood conversion is complete

·        No fuss.  No bother.

A South African highveld case study shows that there is a 20% saving in heat conductance when steel windows are converted to wood.. This can be increased further by using shading or up to 50% if low E glass is used. Therefore conversion is a move to more energy efficiency in the house.

Contact us with details of the sizes of your windows including the design and we will quote you for the manufacture. If you agree to the cost we will visit the site to confirm the sizes before manufacture.  You will be provided with glazed windows of your choice and installation can be done expertly with qualified installers.

Visit www.kparkerjoinery.co.za

Email: kelly@kparkerjoinery.co.za

Phone  011 786-5471