Robert Bean
(Accepting In-Person & Virtual Presentation Requests)
Indoor Climate Consultants Inc.
#2206, 901-10th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R-0B5
Canada
403.560.5769
Region: XI
Honorarium: None
Robert Bean is director of www.healthyheating.com, and founder of Indoor Climate Consultants Inc. He is a retired engineering technology professional who specialized in the design of indoor environments and high-performance building systems. Bean is an ASHRAE Fellow and ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, recipient of the Lou Flagg Award, Distinguished Service Award and instructor for the ASHRAE Learning Institute. He has authored many papers, articles and course curriculums and serves on numerous technical committees related to indoor environmental quality, building and energy systems.
Topics
An Introduction to Thermal Comfort: The Human Factors of Sensation, Perceptions and Responses
Next to sound, thermal discomfort is the second leading indicator of poor indoor environmental quality. In part this is due to industry using air temperature as the exclusive proxy for comfort and 72F (22C) as the metric for compliance. Participation in this course will equip members with a complete understanding of how people actually sense their thermal environments, the subjectivity of perceptions and the negative consequences of resulting responses. This is the course architectural, engineering, interior design, builder and trade school curriculums and manufacturers should teach - but don’t.
Fundamentals of ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
Based on the instructor’s over 15 years of publically polling industry, surveys reveal only 1.5% of industry is capable of using of one of ASHRAE’s oldest and most powerful standards to its fullest potential. Such illiteracy explains in part why post occupancy surveys repeatedly show dissatisfaction. As design professionals we would never tolerate such low understanding from an accountant, lawyer or physician. Participation in this course will equip members with an understanding of the fundamentals in ASHRAE Standard 55 and how these should be applied in the design and operation of buildings. It is not required but recommended that members participate in Course 1 prior to this course.
Using Thermal Comfort Tools to Evaluate Discomfort Probabilities Due to Enclosure Design and Choices in HVAC Systems
Applying the principles learned in Course 1 and 2, and using various online and PC based tools, participants will be taken through a case study where three enclosure performances and two HVAC system types are evaluated for compliance with ASHRAE Standard 55.
What Should Drive the Sustainability Bus - Indoor Environmental Quality or Energy?
Efficiency programs seem to ignore the fact that the only reason why society uses energy in buildings is to condition people and generate domestic hot water. One would then think that all design ought to begin with the physiological and psychological needs of the occupants. However in the real world most energy efficiency programs focus exclusively on enclosures and equipment and have superficial IEQ requirements. The hope is that the assembled systems will deliver the desired indoor climate with the modeled energy. The flaws in this approach are demonstrated in the poor results from thousands of post occupancy evaluations. Following this workshop, participants will learn the human sciences behind thermal comfort and air quality and how energy and exergy efficiency is the natural outcome from engineering the indoor environment using human factor design tools.
Decentralized DHW Systems: Applications of Conservation Principles For Enabling Energy and Exergy Efficiency In Multistory Potable-Water Systems
Decentralized DHW systems promote conservation of energy and mass by eliminating large volumes of heated potable water and associated recirculation lines. Systems are optimized to use the lowest-possible hydronic supply temperatures and largest differentials to enable energy and exergy efficiency while promoting safety and water hygiene for the occupants.
Note: Versions of this presentation have been delivered for ASHRAE Journal Online, CAMPUS Energy and ASHRAE Atlanta program.
Decarbonization: A Product of Integrated Design
Successful decarbonization is the product of integrated processes, including design optimization within architectural, enclosure, interior, and mechanical/electrical systems. Collectively, they should promote energy conservation and exergy efficiencies and result in conditions that meet or exceed the quality requirements of indoor environmental standards.
Note: this DL is based on an accepted paper for ASHRAE Tampa.
A Key Strategy in Decarbonization: Optimizing the Design of Radiant Cooling and Heating Systems for High Temperature Cooling and Low Temperature Heating.
Extracting maximum energy and exergy efficiency from a heating and cooling system requires optimization of return fluid temperatures. Large surface area heat exchangers such as embedded pipe radiant systems have the necessary characteristics for enabling thermal networks and heat pumps and thermal solar systems for realizing their maximum rated potentials.