Florida Building Commission

Energy Technical Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes

June 26th, 2014

                  

Meeting Location:  Teleconference Meeting from Tallahassee, Florida

 

TAC/POC Members and Objectives

TAC Members Present Via Teleconference: Ron Bailey; Brent Caldwell; Oscar Calleja; Bob Cochell; Jan Geyselaers; Lawrence Maxwell; and David Wojcieszak.

TAC Members not Present: Drew M. Smith, Roger Sanders

Staff Present: Mo Madani, Jim Hammers, Marlita Peters, Joe Bigelow, Norman Bellamy

Facilitator: Marlita Peters

Guests/Presenters: Janet McIlvaine, Arlene Steward, Muthusamy Swami, Rob Vieira, Dwight Wilkes, Chuck Withers.

Ø Objectives: To accept final reports on the three research projects detailed below. 

 

Meeting Minutes

Objective

Discussion of objectives included the following: 

1)

 

1:00 PM. Welcome and Opening, Roll Call.  A quorum was present.

Marlita Peters, facilitator for the Florida Building Commission, provided a welcome and a brief overview of the agenda items to be presented.

2)

The agenda and meeting minutes for the April 9th, 2014 Energy TAC were approved unanimously by the committee members.

3)

Objective 1: To accept final report on research project: “Duct sealing upon equipment replacement.”

  • Janet McIlvaine was present to give a report on the final research product and went through a presentation and discussed the results.
  • There were comments from TAC members concerning the report. Question asked about the possible size reduction of air handlers due to reduction of air problem found in report. Discussion on how much work is being permitted doing correct methods vs. work non-legal work.  The burden on contractors doing work the correct way. Discussion of HB 269 and its removal of the code requiring the sealing of ducts. Discussion of looking into different types of hvac configurations than those listed in the report and perhaps expanding the research in the report. Also a look into the local norms of this issue throughout Florida.
  • Motioned for acceptance of report. TAC voted to accept the report.

4)

Objective 2: To accept final report on research project: “Assessment of energy efficient Methods for indoor humidity control.”

  • Chuck Withers was present to give the final report on the research project. Mr. Withers gave a presentation on the findings of the report.
  • There were comments from TAC members concerning the report. How to practically design a mini-split system for effective RH control and cost. Looking into the most economical solution so it could be incorporated into general practice in Florida. Also discussion of first costs vs. operating costs. Comparison of SEER 21 system vs. a SEER13 with mini-split. Problems with clothes dryers used in condition space.
  • Motion to accept report. TAC voted to accept report.

5)

Objective 3: To accept interim report on research project “Development of the compliance software tool assistance manual for the 2014 Florida Energy Code.”

  • Muthuswamy Swami was present to present the final report on the research project. Mr. Swami gave a presentation on the report.
  • There were comments from TAC Members. Question on shell buildings for commercial.
  • Public comments and concerns presented by Arlene Steward. Concerns about amount of changes from the old manual. Concerns that only vendor approved for use with the performance method is involved in designing the manual. Response provided from presenters and by Staff, Mo Madani.
  • Motion to accept the report. TAC voted to accept the report.

 

6)

Floor was opened to the TAC and the public to receive input on possible research projects that the Energy TAC should look into.

  • Proposal by Larry Maxwell concerning the potential of once there is a sealing of the duct, per the report, looking into potential for hvac unit downsizing.  And the possible savings in the insulation and the ongoing savings based on those changes. Proposal of an amendment to the scope of Phase 2 of “Duct sealing upon equipment replacement,” concerning research into the cost benefits of SEER 21 vs. a SEER 13 and minisplit system.
  • Proposal by Jan Geyselaers concerning the incorporation energy efficiency of lighting into future code and determining the benefits of these changes. Or if there is any benefit. Seconded by Cochell. Also amendment by Mr. Calleja to look into all internal loads of the building.
  • Proposal from public. Proposal from Mr. Swami concerning savings due to Energy recovery and revisiting this due to the new code and the new performance options of the new code.  Also look into expanding the climate zone data currently used by Florida and to expand it.
  • Motion was made to act on research project proposed by Mr. Maxwell, increasing the scope of Phase 2 of the “Duct sealing upon equipment replacement.”  This motion was accepted. Motion made to act on research project proposed by Mr. Geyselaers and was accepted.  Motion made to act on research project proposed by Mr. Swami and was accepted.

 

7)

Other TAC Business. No other TAC business

8)

Public Comment. Meeting opened for public comment, no public comment received.

9)

Adjourn:  Having no other TAC business, the meeting was closed after a Motion and Second to Adjourn. Time 4:08pm.

 

Staff Contacts: Norman Bellamy, Government Operations Consultant (850) 717-1834 Norman.Bellamy@myfloridalicense.com or Mo Madani, Manager mo.madani@dbpr.state.fl.us (850) 717-1825