Anil Parekh

Image Anil Parekh
Senior Research Engineer

I am a Senior Research Engineer at CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada and a member of the Buildings and Renewables Group.  Since joining NRCan in 1999, my research focus is on the development and performance assessment of innovative energy efficiency technologies for housing and buildings.  My projects include advancing the super-insulated building envelope for new and retrofits, development of technology options for cost-competitive near- and net-zero energy houses, development and validation of energy simulation models, and housing stock modeling to predict performance impacts as well as GHG reduction estimates.  I am also deeply involved in supporting the design, development and implementation of leading-edge housing initiatives for leading-edge near- and net-zero energy homes.

Current research and/or projects

Current research areas and project activities include:

  • Innovative super-insulated building envelope systems for new construction and retrofit of residential and commercial buildings
  • Benchmarking and validation of HOT2000 energy analysis methods
  • Housing initiatives (ENERGY STAR for New Homes, EnerGuide Rating System and R-2000)
  • Development of housing systems related CSA, CGSB and ASHRAE standards and NBC codes

Research and/or project statements

  • Field research projects on the Comparison of Low and High Solar Gain Windows and the Benchmarking of energy savings associated with energy efficient lighting in houses emphasized the house-as-a-sequential-system approach to evaluating energy efficient technologies
  • A nation-wide project on developing housing technology options leading to “Path to Net Zero” for Canadian housing stressed importance on considering the regional construction, labour and economic practices.
  • Benchmarking of energy savings associated with Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) corrected presentation of net energy savings including take-back effects.
  • Provided energy modelling and technical analysis for the development of Next Genration EnerGuide Rating System and Housing Standards

Professional activities / interests

  • Over 30 years of experience in delivering turn-key projects dealing with conceptual design, development and project management of energy efficiency projects for the new and existing residential, commercial and institutional buildings
  • Assessment and market evaluation of emerging advanced energy efficiency technologies for the residential and commercial buildings
  • Experience with energy analysis methods and software tools. Sound analytic skills to put together micro analysis into overall macro perspectives.

Education and awards

  • B.Tech (Mechanical), Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India
  • M.A.Sc. (Mechnaical), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
  • Several branch and sector awards since 1999

Key publications

  • Parekh, A., Charron, R, Poirier, S., Roux, L, “Testing of HOT2000 version 11 in Accordance with ASHRAE Standard 140-2014,” eSim 2018, Montreal, 2018.
  • Brideau, S., M. Carver, A. Parekh, B. Conley, "Monitoring and modelling of a prefabricated exterior envelope retrofit", International Building Physics Conference, Syracuse USA, 2018
  • Carver, M. Parekh, A., Baldwin, C. “Evaluation of Hygrothermal Performance and Constructability of a Vacuum-Insulated, Thin Wood-Frame Wall Assembly,” 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, 2017.
  • Purdy, J., Parekh, A., “Building Envelope Thermal and Air Leakage Characteristics of Canadian Housing,” 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, 2017.
  • Bartko, M., Jonkman, R., Lacasse M, Parekh A., “An Overview of Studies to Assess the Thermal and Hygrothermal Perfromance of Highly Insulated and Zero Energy Ready Wall Assemblies,” 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology, 2017.
  • Trainor, T., Smegal, J., Parekh, A.,Straube, J., “Measured and Predicted Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Assemblies in Cold Climates”, ASHRAE Buildings XIII Conference, Clearwater, FL 2016
  • Parekh, A., “Full-sized Vacuum-Sealed Insulating Glazing (VIG) Windows for Residential Applications”, 12th International Vacuum Insulation Symposium, NUAA, China, September 2015.
  • Parekh, A., Mattock, C., “Construction and Field Monitoring of Exterior Walls Using Vacuum Insulation Panels in a Net Zero Home”,ASHRAE Buildings IX Conference, Clearwater, FL2013.
  • Parekh, A., “Path to Net-Zero Energy Homes: Cost Optimization Study of Progressively Improving Energy Efficiency of Homes in Canada” Invited paper and presentation to Annual Meeting and Showcase of Net-Zero Energy Council, San Francisco, CA 2013.
  • Parekh, A., Proskiw, G., “Optimization of Net Zero Energy Houses, Proceedings of Building Envelope Science and Technology - BEST2, Atlanta, GA, 2013.
  • Parekh, A., Strack, T., Wang, P., “Survey Results of User-Dependent Electricity Loads in Canadian Homes,” ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA Aug 2012.
  • Maref, W., Parekh, A., “Performance Prediction of Effects of Wind-Driven Pressures on Thermal Insulation Levels of Above-grade Wall Assemblies,” Journal of Energy and Buildings, 2008.
  • Parekh, A., Manning, M., Swinton, M., Elmahdy, H., Barry, C., “Comparison of Residential Energy Use with High and Low Solar Heat Gain Glazing Using Energy Analysis and Field Monitoring Data, ASHRAE Transactions, June 2007
  • Lauadi, A., Parekh, A., “Optical and Lighting characteristics of complex fenestration systems, Journal of Energy and Buildings, 2006.
  • Parekh, A., Roux, L., “EnerGuide for Houses Retrofit Incentive Program:A Winning Strategy to Improve Energy Efficiency of Canadian Housing”, ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA Aug 2006.
  • Parekh, A., “Benchmarking of Energy Savings Associated with Compact Fluorescent Lighting in Homes”, ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA Aug 2006.
  • Parekh, A., Proskiw, G., “Airtightness Performance of Wood-Framed Houses Over a 14-Year Period”, ASHRAE Buildings IX Conference, Clearwater, FL December 2004.

Research facility

1 Haanel Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 1M1
Canada

Affiliations

  • Member of American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
  • Member of IBPSA – International Building Performance and Simulation Association (Canada)
  • Member of Energy Efficient Buildings Association (EEBA)
  • Past member of PEO

Language

English

Other languages

Hindi, Gujarati