Alejandro Garcia – Home Electricity Estimate Dashboard
This capstone project develops an interactive dashboard that estimates and compares residential electricity use by home type and county. Using regional building stock data, the dashboard displays electricity intensity (kWh/ft²-year) and converts it into estimated annual electricity use (kWh/year) through a user-controlled square-footage slider. Filters allow users to view results by manufactured vs. site-built homes and by county (King and Pierce). The intended audience is homeowners, homebuyers, and practitioners who need a quick planning level estimate of how home type and size may affect electricity consumption. The dashboard is designed as a decision support tool, not a definitive prediction, and it summarizes key assumptions and limitations (including variation in occupant behavior, equipment, and fuel choices). The deliverable provides a clear, visual way to explore “what-if” scenarios and communicate differences in estimated electricity use across common housing types.
Megan Ingalls – (A)CTUAL (I)MPACTS: Energy Transparency in Hyperscale Data Centers
As plans for hyperscale data centers gain momentum, Washington State’s ability to meet its climate commitments is under increasing threat. Keeping data center energy information private makes it nearly impossible to mitigate that threat before the damage becomes irreversible. By studying precedents for energy reporting in Seattle and abroad, we can chart a path to a future with more equitable energy distribution and climate change resilience for Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
Conner McCleery – Occupant Behavior and Its Influence on Indoor Air Quality in Residential Homes
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in residential buildings is often evaluated through ventilation standards and mechanical system performance however, measured pollutant concentrations are strongly influenced by occupant driven emission events. This study examines how everyday residential activities affect indoor concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).
LaRae Smathers – Automated Railcar Indexer – Safety, Energy Efficiency, and Throughput Impacts
This capstone project evaluates the impact of implementing an automated railcar indexer system at AGP’s ship‑loading facility in Aberdeen. The study compares the new automated system with the existing manual railcar unloading process to determine improvements in worker safety, operational efficiency, and overall product throughput. By examining performance data, workflow changes, and safety outcomes, the project highlights how automation can reduce physical strain on workers, streamline operations, and increase the volume and consistency of product movement. The findings aim to demonstrate why automated railcar indexers offer a superior, standardized solution for offloading operations and why they should be adopted more broadly across similar railcar facilities.
Emmon Snyder – “No make up bathroom air…. do I care?”
The research conducted for this article addresses the potential contaminant management issues in relation to the building codes, industry common best practices and the potential need for dedicated make up air pathways between bathrooms and adjoining spaces for optimal exhaust fan efficiency. The author tested four bathrooms using data loggers, manometers and occupant interviews prior to the installation of privacy door vents and comparing information post upgrade. Resulting data indicates that the installation of dedicated make up air grills reduced the pressure differentials between the bathroom and adjoining spaces, which can improve exhaust fan efficiency while in use. Ongoing occupant interviews indicated that the perceived reduction in bioeffluent and cleaner odors were reduced after upgrading. Relative humidity loads appear to lower in a quicker measure when pass through grills were installed, however overall relative humidity loads appear to be more affected by exhaust fan duration after showering. This indicates that the installation of dedicated make up air pathways for bathrooms should be considered a factor in the overall design when improving the indoor air quality in bathrooms.
Annie Thomas – Decarbonizing with Confidence: The Gals Guide to Getting the Bid
This capstone project develops a standards based decision framework to guide homeowners, particularly women and new home owner through the residential decarbonization process with confidence and clarity. Rather than documenting individual experiences, the project extracts universal standards that can be applied across projects and contractors. These standards include, equipment sizing and efficiency benchmarks, permitting requirements, financial evaluation metrics, and rebate verification protocols.
Brian Wayland – TBA
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