Featured project: White rock Net Zero
White Rock Net Zero
White Rock Net Zero
WHITE ROCK NET ZERO: A CASE STUDY
The Original System
The Original System
The house combines traditional and modern architecture: the street-facing facade features stone and metal, while the private sides open with expansive glass walls that frame sweeping southern views.
With 80% of the south-facing facade glazed, solar gain often triggers a cooling call during shoulder seasons and winter, while other zones still require heating. The original geothermal system did not anticipate—and was unable to adequately adapt to—this dynamic.
Fluidworks was engaged to conduct a field review. At the time of inspection, the system was inactive. Within minutes, a heating call occur and the system began to heat the storage tank, about 30 minutes of run time before it delivered heat to the zone. About 20 minutes later a cooling call came in. The heat pumps reversed and began chilling the same storage tank from 120°F to 42°F—a 45-minute task. Finally, the system begin supplying chilled water to the house. The single tank meant the system was slow to respond to heating calls, and spent much of its time and energy heating and cooling the storage tank, a crude and energy intensive strategy.
The original system included four heat pumps: two for heating and cooling, one dedicated to domestic hot water (DHW) preheating, and one water-to-air unit dedicated to the theatre. Three tanks supported the system: a combined heating/cooling buffer tank, a DHW preheat tank, and a DHW primary tank.
Fluidworks Retrofit
A more elevated approach was needed. Fluidworks designed and retrofitted an innovative simultaneous heat/cool GeoExchange system. In this configuration, the heat pump operates between separate hot and cold storage tanks, rather than between a single tank and the ground heat exchanger (GHX).
This setup enables the system to produce one hour of heating and one hour of cooling for each hour of operation—resulting COP's of up to 8, effectively doubling efficiency under balanced loads.
A single Waterfurnace NDW heat pump supplies thermal energy to Advance Metalpres stainless steel tanks designated for hot and cold storage. Grundfos Magna3 pumps are used throughout the system to enhance efficiency and data connectivity.
Siemens motorized 3-way valves redirect flow to the GHX as needed during unbalanced load conditions.
On the distribution manifold, Belimo motorized 3-way valves deliver hot or cold water to various loads throughout the home, including radiant floors, Jaga fan coils, the make-up air unit, and a newly installed hydronic air handler for the theatre. Domestic hot water is preheated through two indirect stainless-steel coils embedded in the hot buffer tank.
System control is achieved through an integrated setup using components from Tekmar, Schneider, and Honeywell controls.
The system now operates seamlessly and responsively to the home’s thermal demands. significantly improving comfort and peace of mind for the homeowners.
Awards
- 2022 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence - Best Net Zero Certified Home in Canada
- 2022 HAVAN Ovation Awards - Best Custom Home: $5M and Over
- 2022 HAVAN Ovation Awards - Best Energy Labelled Custom Home
Team
- Architect: Grant Architecture Studio
- Builder: Naikoon Construction
- Interiors: Hungerford Salter Interior Design
- Photography: Latreille Architectural Photography and ISHOT