Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

Building Systems.I M P L E M E N TATION ISSUES.Energy efficiency is related to whole-building performance and depends on the efficientdesign and operation of integrated systems in keeping with the specific function of thebuilding. Building system components include the building envelope, heating and airconditioning, lighting, plumbing, and ventilation. These are affected by the operationalrequirements of the occupants. A lighting system that employs energy-efficient lightingdesigns is ineffective if it does not meet the needs of occupants.Local governments can take advantage of cost-effective, energy-efficient systems andlighting by specifying them in plans for new buildings or renovation of existing buildings.Public awareness about resource-efficient technologies for commercial and residentialbuilding can be increased when localities join with utility companies and state andfederal entities to provide educational opportunities or incentive programs in the community.Some local governments have passed ordinances or guidelines to requireincreased energy efficiency in municipal, commercial, or residential buildings..L O CAL A C T I O N S.➤The county of Santa Barbara, California, has established a voluntary program to promote energy-efficientbuilding design by creating a Building Review Committee that can provide assistanceon cost-effective design methods that exceed California energy standards by 15 percentor more for residential buildings and 25 percent or more for commercial developments.➤In 1981, San Francisco, California, adopted the Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance(RECO), which has reduced by 15 percent the amount of energy used by average homesin the city. RECO may be triggered during the sale of a home or when major improvementsare implemented. RECO requires the installation of energy-saving measures followedby a compliance inspection to ensure that the work was completed.➤Montgomery County, Maryland, enacted a set of energy-design guidelines that havebeen in use since 1989 and have resulted in up to 50 percent lower energy consumptionin new and retrofitted government buildings without an increase in initial constructioncosts. These comprehensive technical and procedural guidelines, designed toexceed existing codes and standards, were developed through life-cycle cost analysistechniques. They include the use of high-efficiency lighting systems, control of buildingenergy use through integrated electronic energy-management systems, variable-frequencydrives to reduce air-handler fan speed, high-performance glazing systems, andinnovative devices such as ice-storage systems instead of conventional cooling systems.The guidelines are accompanied by a “Design Contract Package” that includes samplerequest-for-proposal forms, contract clauses, scope-of-services documents, and an energyreport format to aid county departments in implementing the guidelines.➤Houston, Texas, established a building utility use procedure in 1983 for municipalbuilding operators to reduce energy consumption and utility costs without adverselyaffecting employee productivity or comfort. The procedure includes development of anoperations plan for energy management and addresses heating and cooling, ventilation,lighting, domestic hot water, and general maintenance. In the 1990s, the citymade a continuing commitment to effective energy management through its involvementwith the Green Lights and Energy Star programs, EPA initiatives designed to providetechnical assistance to public and private partners interested in upgrading theefficiency of lighting and building systems. The city pioneered the use of private sectorenergy-performance contracts to upgrade energy systems in public facilities and hasestablished its own Green Lights Revolving Fund to recapture energy savings withoutthe use of private performance contracts. The city is also working with the local electric