Integrated Retrofit Solutions for Residential and Commercial Buildings

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN

Buildings

March 14, 2023

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
Partners:
-- Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) – Knoxville, TN
-- University of Tennessee at Knoxville – Knoxville, TN
-- LG
-- DB Technologies
-- Pella 
-- Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) – Knoxville, TN
DOE Funding: $5,000,000
Cost Share: $1,250,000
Project Term: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2026
Funding Type: Advanced Building Construction FOA Award

Project Objective

In this Phase 2 ABC Integrated Building Retrofit project, the project team will demonstrate an integrated retrofit solution on four duplexes and one small commercial site. The project applies machine learning (ML)-assisted algorithms that generate the dimensions of existing building facades in minutes; an easy-to-install, lightweight, overclad panel design; and state-of-the-art HVAC equipment, water heaters, and controls. This team seeks to demonstrate a pathway to unleash high-quality and affordable energy-efficient building envelope retrofits at an installed cost of less than $20 per square foot.

The objective of this project is to develop and field-validate integrated retrofit solutions that:

  1. Decrease thermal loads by at least 75%
  2. Increase occupant comfort
  3. Enhance building aesthetics
  4. Reduce occupant disturbance and retrofit time
  5. Lower the embodied carbon of some of the retrofit materials
  6. Are replicable, scalable, applicable to multiple building types

The integrated retrofit includes technologies for which ORNL developed proof of concepts under Phase 1 and need further development to attain repeatability and scalability that lead to optimization and cost reduction. Moreover, ORNL will use technologies that it is currently developing under the Building Technologies Office (BTO) Emerging Technologies program. ORNL will attain 75% reduction in thermal loads by combining the technologies that are under development with state-of-the-art, off-the-shelf technologies. The technologies that they will integrate include:

  1. ML-assisted, cost-effective approach to gather dimensions of existing facades
  2. Lightweight, composite overclad panels and their respective connections
  3. Real-time evaluator that optimizes panel installation
  4. Integrated variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump, heat pump water heater, heat recovery unit, and controls
  5. Low-carbon roof insulation

Project Impact

The end goal of this project is a demonstration of a scalable retrofit package that has relatively low cost, has fast implementation, and creates comfortable, energy-efficient, attractive buildings. The project’s retrofit solutions will be incorporated in four duplexes and a Boys and Girls Club, both of which are in affordable housing communities in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme
Lead Performer: Diana Hun, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

RELATED INFORMATION 

Visit the following pages for information on the Phase 1 prototype projects that preceded this Phase 2 demonstration project: