Since its launch in 1998, the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology (CCHT) has assessed more than 30 innovative housing-related technologies, supporting manufacturers in their product research and development and providing performance information for builders and homeowners. CCHT researchers pursue a mandate of accelerating the development of new technologies and their acceptance in the marketplace.
CCHT is a unique research facility. Most of the research makes use of the R-2000 twin research houses. These fully instrumented houses contain more than 300 sensors, 23 meters and a simulated occupancy system based on typical living habits of a family of four. The houses provide the opportunity to simulate real conditions and to compare the performance of an innovative product or technology in one house (the test house) to the standard conditions maintained in the adjacent reference house. CCHT also features an Info Centre, where technologies are displayed to visitors from Canada and abroad.
The technologies assessed to date can be grouped as follows:
1. Combined Heat and Power Generation
CCHT researchers have examined a number of residential-sized technologies that generate both heat and electricity (called micro Combined Heat and Power technologies, or microCHP units). These have included the first residential fuel cell installation in Canada, two generations of Stirling engines, and an internal combustion engine coupled to ground storage. All these technologies are powered by natural gas and generate between one and six kW of power. Testing has examined thermal storage needs, the proportion of electrical contribution of the microCHP when connected to the electrical grid, and optimal sizing.
2. Alternative Energy
A solid oxide fuel cell was used to provide heat and power to the test house. Running at steady state, the fuel cell emits only water and carbon dioxide, making it a clean alternative for generating heat and electricity.
The InfoCentre has been used to demonstrate solar energy. Solar photovoltaic panels on the roof generate electricity during daylight hours, and a solar concentrator system connected to a storage tank provides heat for water and space heating. Additionally, two ground source heat pump loops have been installed beside one of the twin houses. The ground source system harnesses the power of the deep ground to provide the cooling needs and part of the heating needs of the house.
3. Heating Systems
The twin houses have been used to assess gas-fired combined space and domestic hot water heating systems, which allow a hot water tank to perform the heating function of a furnace. CCHT has also examined a variety of commercially available heating systems including a two-stage natural gas furnace, a high-efficiency condensing gas furnace, and electric furnaces with innovative controls and fan motors.
4. Window and Shading Technology
CCHT was used to compare the performance of high solar gain and low solar gain windows (see Home Builder, March 2008). Even though the low solar gain windows provided better cooling performance, the high solar gain windows offered higher year-round energy savings in most Canadian locations, as calculated using computer models.
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A researcher closes the blinds on the CCHT research house as part of a glazing study to examine the effect of shading on heating and cooling energy consumption. |
Energy-efficient Products
A number of CCHT projects have examined energy-saving technologies and methods. Research on products such as compact fluorescent lights and electronically commutated furnace motors examined not only the electrical savings, but also their impact on space heating and cooling loads.
A detailed study of thermostat setback found that a 3°C night-time setback resulted in 7 per cent seasonal heating energy savings. Raising the set-point by 2°C in the summer resulted in 23 per cent cooling energy savings. An evaluation of several commercially available shower-water heat-recovery systems resulted in the creation of an online calculator to determine savings and payback periods.
Facility Adaptations
CCHT has been adapted over the years in anticipation of the needs of manufacturers.
It now features:
A microCHP research facility. Both research houses have been outfitted to be able to export electricity or run off grid, while monitoring the power generated by a microCHP unit. The facility also has the ability to harness the generated heat for space and water heating.
Means to change windows easily. Innovative modifications now enable all 31 windows in one of the twin houses to be changed with relative ease in a single day, without affecting the airtightness of the house.
A deep-well ground source heat pump facility. Three wells about 55 to 75 metres in depth have been drilled beside the reference house to explore the use of ground source heat, and ground heat storage. Capability to store and retrieve excess heat from the microCHP into and out of the ground has been included.
Ms. M.M. Manning is a technical officer in the Building Envelope and Structure Program at the National Research Council Institute for Research in Construction. Dr. A.H. Elmahdy and Mr. M.C. Swinton are principal research officers in the same program. Mr. A. Parekh is a senior researcher in the Sustainable Buildings and Communities group of Natural Resources Canada. For more information, contact Marianne Manning at 613-991-0967 or marianne.manning@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Project partners for the study were Pilkington North America and Natural Resources Canada. CCHT is operated as a partnership between NRC, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Natural Resources Canada. The research manager is M.C. Swinton.
