Thermal Performance

Thermal performance:

Nothing new under the sun

From Raupo huts to igloos and Roman villas our ancestors built dwellings that were designed based on traditional knowledge and to respond to their natural environments.

Today we have access to advanced building materials and technologies which those ancient designers couldn’t even imagine. And still many modern dwellings are uncomfortable or even unhealthy. Maybe one reason is that today we can design and build almost anything. But this creative freedom means that instead of relying on traditional design principles every design is different and often complex and therefore its comfort and health performance needs to be newly assessed every time.

This seminar addresses the main aspects of the thermal performance of dwellings. It explains the science of solar gains, thermal heat loss and the capacity of thermal mass to retain heat. Building on this understanding the seminar will then provide practical recommendations and guidance on design aspects and technologies. It will also touch on the environmental long term life cycle impacts of building materials and – if time allows - will address some common questions about compliance with Clause H1 of the NZ Building Code.

Expected learnings:

• Understand the three heat transfer mechanisms, how they affect a building’s performance and how to utilise them in the building design
• From R-values to calculating annual heat loss and to estimating your client’s heating bill – doing some back-of-the-envelope calculations
• “Average” R-values – why detailing matters and some practical solutions for energy efficient detailing
• How to estimate the optimal amount and location of thermal mass
• When are windows a thermal credit and when do they become a liability
• Some simple rules for estimating the optimum dimension of window overhangs for shading
• What type of heating is the “best”
• How important is the life cycle impact of the building material in comparison to the building’s running cost
• The limits of thermal simulation and assessment tools

ADNZ designers are invited to e-mail Albrecht designnavigator@gmail.com in advance any specific questions relating to thermal building performance.

One designer at each seminar will also be able to briefly introduce one of their own designs and the thermal performance issues around it and Albrecht will provide comments and analysis. Please contact Albrecht directly designnavigator@gmail.com to participate.

Check out the video below:

Presented by Albrecht Stoecklein:

Albrecht has a Masters degree in Physics from Heidelberg and Oldenburg Universities in Germany. He used to work at the Building Research Association of New Zealand as a senior building scientist and later was technical manager at Right House, a Meridian Energy subsidiary supplying a range of energy efficient technologies. He held a number of contracts as senior advisor to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment developing and running industry seminars on leaky buildings and rapid post disaster building assessments.

For the last 15 years he is running the Design Navigator consultancy service and online assessment tools for NZBC Clause H1 compliance.

Programme:

10.15am | tea, coffee & biscuit on arrival

10.30am | Thermal performance seminar 3 hour duration - 3 CPD/30 NZRAB points

2.05pm | APL Technical Presentation - 0.5 CPD points

2.30pm | Event concludes

Bring along: Pen & paper, drink bottle

Lunch catering will be provided.

ADNZ Members/Registered Architects: CPD/NZRAB Points will be allocated post event by National Office once attendance register verified.

Students are welcome to register for this event, if you are not an ADNZ Student member please use discount code student to register.