Service: Energy and Carbon Reduction

6 Acorn Street, Hamilton

6 Acorn Street, Hamilton

6 Acorn Street, Hamilton
A cutting-edge new construction project designed in alignment with Passive House standards, with a focus on energy modeling, building enclosure commissioning, and air tightness testing.
Services
Energy and Carbon Reduction Specialty Testing
Subservices
Building Enclosure Commissioning, Passive House and EnerPHit
Sector
Residential
Duration
2020-2021
Client
Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc.
Project Value
$15,000,000
Project size
8 story building (60 units)

Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes decided to build a new mid-rise building at 6 Acorn Street in Hamilton.

While the project did not specifically target Passive House Certification, the Owners tasked the design team with delivering a building that could achieve Passive House performance levels.  

Pretium was engaged to create an energy modeling of the proposed design using designPH and PHPP software to confirm the performance was meeting the stringent targets. During both the design and construction phases, Pretium provided third-party Building Enclosure Commissioning services.

Our role involved reviewing documentation and construction to ensure alignment with the Owner’s Project Requirements. 

Pretium also completed air tightness testing on a mock-up unit to confirm that the target of 0.6 ACH @ 50Pa had been achieved. As part of the testing, tracer gas was used to identify deficiencies in the building enclosure. These were then addressed by the Contractor prior to re-testing. 

To deliver this project, Pretium completed the following measures:

Energy Modeling

Energy Modeling

A quantitative tool that assists designers in evaluating the environmental, technical, and financial viability of a proposed building retrofit or design for a new building. The data obtained from the analysis allows designers to communicate recommendations to building owners and managers more effectively. The information is used to identify optimal solutions.
Building Enclosure Commissioning

Building Enclosure Commissioning

An ideal BECx project engages a third-party Building Enclosure Commissioning Agent (BECxA) from Pre-Design through Occupancy and Operations. Through the commissioning process, we work with both the design team and contractor on the project to deliver an exterior enclosure that meets or exceeds the client’s performance targets.
Air Tightness Testing

Air Tightness Testing

Both qualitative and quantitative air leakage testing of building envelope components, compartments, or whole buildings is provided including, but not limited to, in-situ performance testing of windows and doors, and the use of a smoke-generating device in conjunction with blower doors to identify and resolve air infiltration issues.

Client Benefits 

The building envelope was projected to be 75% more airtight than a typical code compliant building. 

The Passive House modeling we completed for the proposed design was used to develop insightful recommendations for enhancing the building envelope and mechanical systems before construction commenced. This proactive approach assisted the client in achieving energy performance closer to Passive House standards.

Additionally, Pretium conducted Air Leakage testing during a crucial construction phase, enabling prompt implementation of recommendations to minimize air leakage.

DesignPH model of the building.
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Air tightness testing set up, including blower door installation.
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Building envelope construction in various stages, including air barrier, insulation, and masonry installation.
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Completed building.
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Project Team

Jennifer Hogan

Jennifer Hogan

Project Principal, Director of Marketing, Energy and Carbon Reduction Leader

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Jennifer Hogan

Jennifer Hogan, B.Arch.Sci., C.E.T., REWC, RRO, CRE, Certified Passive House Consultant

Project Principal, Director of Marketing, Energy and Carbon Reduction Leader
Jennifer Hogan

Jennifer believes that at the core of every successful project is a passionate team. She is dedicated to seizing every opportunity to learn new things. One of Jennifer’s favourite things about her career is that she can share her love of the built environment with others. Jennifer is passionate about isotherms, air leakage paths, and baseball.

Services
Energy and Carbon Reduction Building and Structural Restoration
Email
Office Location
Burlington
Education
B.Arch.Sci., (Building Science), TMU (Formerly Ryerson University), 2007
Registered Exterior Wall Consultant, 2022
Certified Passive House Consultant, 2018
Heat3 Thermal Modelling Tool Training, 2018
Certified Engineering Technologist (CET), 2016
Registered Roof Observer (RRO), 2013
LEED Accredited Professional, 2008
Association
IIBEC Executive Committee, 2023 - Present
IIBEC Region VII Director, 2029-2023
IIBEC Southern Ontario Chapter Past President
CCI GHC Education Committee Member 2018 - 2023

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Trying out hot air welding a PVC roof membrane at an industry training event.
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Completing an inspection of an exterior wall using a Bosun’s chair.
2 / 4
Running compartment air tightness testing at a building targeting Passive House performance levels. Jennifer oversaw a team of 5 staff for this test.
3 / 4
Participating in a tradeshow in her role as Director of Marketing. The colours on those sneakers look familiar!
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Thought Leadership

Jennifer is a frequent presenter/speaker on the topics of energy and carbon reduction and building enclosure commissioning, including speaking at events like Construct Canada, the IIBEC Annual Convention, BCxA events, the Passive House Canada Conference, and many more. She has also published numerous papers on the subject across many different industry magazines. Most recently she published an article in Interface Magazine about Practical Considerations for Whole-Building Air-Tightness Testing.