Thermal Demand vs. Peak Power in a Renovated Masonry Building

Empirical studies have shown that more than 30% of thermal energy consumption can be attributed to enclosure air leakage in North American climates. Retrofitted masonry buildings have the additional challenge of having their existing building enclosure modified from their original design intent. Since occupant comfort, building energy consumption, and building performance models are strongly dependent on accurate enclosure air infiltration rates, measured whole building, compartmentalized and facade airtightness levels will be analysed. The session will compare both Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI), and Peak Power for these measured enclosure airtightness levels. In addition, detailed comparisons between measured and best practice infiltration levels will be discussed. Specifically, the empirically based TEDI and Peak Thermal Power estimates for the existing building will be contrasted to Passive House International US(PHIUS) rates of 0.25 L/s/m⊃2; @ 50Pa, Vancouver Green Building Policy rates (Passive House International-PHI), and ASHRAE 90.1 2.0 L/s/m⊃2; @ 75 Pa enclosure air leakage rates.

Bomani Khemet, PhD, M.Eng, MBSc, P.Eng

Assistant Professor of Building Science
Faculty of Architecture - University of Toronto
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering (Cross-Appointment)
Division of Forestry (Cross-Appointment)

Bomani Khemet is a professional engineer with graduate degrees Building Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering. His research is focused on the design of thermally comfortable, ultra-low energy, affordable buildings through in situ testing, modeling, and building energy simulation. Prior to joining academia, Bomani had over a decade of engineering experience in both the construction, and transportation sectors. These projects have included the design of emission reduction technologies in heavy vehicles, as well as Reduction of Hazardous Substances initiatives for industrial pressure sensing products. Most notably, Bomani has worked on Toronto’s Union Station Revitalisation project under a comprehensive transit re-signalling construction contract. Bomani's current research is centered on increasing occupant comfort while simultaneously reducing energy demand in existing institutional and residential buildings by passive means. Khemet’s latest projects in West Africa, East Africa and North America examine the how building shape, floor plans, and window placement affect thermal comfort, and resilience.

Length: 00:40:31

Last Updated: October 15, 2025