James Petersen
Username
James Petersen
Proposer First Name
James
Proposer Email
james@petersenengineering.com
Proposer Last Name
Petersen
Proposer Company/Organization
Petersen Engineering, Inc.
Proposer Phone
(603) 380-5767
Proposer Job Title
Principal

Boston 2023 Areas of Focus

Proposed Session Description
Electrification of Domestic Hot Water is difficult due to the high energy requirements of raising water temperature and the high cost of electricity. Controlling first cost, and embodied carbon is made more difficult because the MA plumbing code is outdated and doesn't allow properly downsized water distribution piping. There's a glimmer of hope the code will be changing to allow the engineer design discretion and we will quantify the positive impact on multifamily housing.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
One minority presenter. Without improvements to DHW systems and potable water distribution occupants are saddle with higher rent. More work needs to be done to remove embodied carbon from building systems to address climate change that disproportionally impacts the poor
Learning Objectives
Put more emphasis on improving potable water systems in our buildings
Advocate for code improvements around the issue of potable water over-sizing
Expect engineers design better DHW systems
Pursue more knowledge on an issue that they have not previously been aware of
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
All new session, never before seen, and not proposed elsewhere
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format
Other (please describe below)
Session Format Details
Two presenters presenting for 30 minutes followed by ample time for Q&A
Recommended Length
60-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023

Comments about your speaker roster
Daniel and James plan on planting the seeds for a great Q&A discussion.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
We're excited to shine a light on this subject that has largely been overlooked to date
Reviewer 1
Field, Keirstan
Reviewer 2
Ngo, Tammy
Proposal #
122
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters

Full Description
Bringing down cost, carbon and energy impact of electrification of DHW. The cost of housing is too high and this area of savings has not been exploited. Electric DHW is far from optimized and needs more attention now. This session provides a means to reduce embodied carbon in building systems, not easy to do.