ATLANTA—Guidance on increasing energy efficiency in existing buildings through measuring and tracking efficiency and implementing an efficiency plan is featured in a new book from leading built environment organizations.
“Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: Technical Implementation” provides clear and easily understood technical guidance for energy upgrades, retrofits and renovations by which building engineers and managers can achieve at least a 30 percent improvement in energy performance relative to a range of benchmark energy utilization indexes. It features practical means and methods for planning, executing and monitoring an effective program, based on widely available techniques and technologies.
“Energy efficiency improvement in buildings is one of the greatest means to increase resource efficiency, improve environmental stewardship and save operating funds,” says George Jackins, who chaired the committee overseeing the book. “More importantly, energy efficient improvement should happen because it makes good business sense. Good planning and ongoing commitment is essential to maximizing investments in energy efficiency.”
Tips on How to Begin
Improving energy in an existing building is an iterative process, but first you have to know where you are starting from, according to Jackins. The book recommends some tips on how to begin the energy savings process:
1. Calculate energy use and cost;
2. Set energy performance goals;
3. Measure and analyze current energy use;
4. Select and implement energy efficiency measures;
5. Measure and report improvements; and
6. Continue to track performance and reassess goals.
“Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: Technical Implementation” is the second energy efficient guide for existing commercial buildings developed by the same group developing the Advanced Energy Design Guide series for new buildings—ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the U.S. Green Building Council and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, the Building Owners and Managers Association and the U.S. General Services Administration were involved in its development. The first, “Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: The Business Case for Building Owners and Managers,” provides the rationale for making economic decisions related to improving and sustaining energy efficiency in existing buildings.
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