- Air Barrier Systems in Buildings
- Air Decontamination
- Alternative Energy
- Balancing Security/Safety and Sustainability Objectives
- Biogas
- Biomass for Electricity Generation
- Biomass for Heat
- Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
- Cool Metal Roofing
- Daylighting
- Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
- Electric Lighting Controls
- Electrical Safety
- Energy Analysis Tools
- Energy Codes and Standards
- Energy Efficient Lighting
- Extensive Vegetative Roofs
- Facility Performance Evaluation (FPE)
- Fuel Cells and Renewable Hydrogen
- Geothermal Electric Technology
- Geothermal Energy - Direct-Use
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
- High-Performance HVAC
- Hydropower
- Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
- Microturbines
- Mold and Moisture Dynamics
- Natural Ventilation
- Net Zero Energy Buildings
- Passive Solar Heating
- Photovoltaics
- Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
- Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance
- Solar Ventilation Air Preheating
- Solar Water Heating
- Sun Control and Shading Devices
- Sustainable Laboratory Design
- Sustainable O&M Practices
- Water Conservation
- Wind Technology
- Windows and Glazing
Optimize Energy Use
Last updated: 09-10-2012
Within This Page
Overview
On an annual basis, buildings in the United States consume 39% of America's energy and 68% of its electricity. Furthermore, buildings emit 38% of the carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas associated with climate change), 49% of the sulfur dioxide, and 25% of the nitrogen oxides found in the air. Currently, the vast majority of this energy is produced from non-renewable, fossil fuel resources. With America's supply of fossil fuel dwindling, concerns for energy supply security increasing (both for general supply and specific needs of facilities), and the impact of greenhouse gases on the world's climate rising, it is essential to find ways to reduce load, increase efficiency, and utilize renewable fuel resources in facilities of all types.
During the facility design and development process, building projects must have a comprehensive, integrated perspective that seeks to:
- Reduce heating, cooling, and lighting loads through climate-responsive design and conservation practices;
- Employ renewable energy sources such as daylighting, passive solar heating, photovoltaics, geothermal, and groundwater cooling;
- Specify efficient HVAC and lighting systems that consider part-load conditions and utility interface requirements;
- Optimize building performance by employing energy modeling programs and optimize system control strategies by using occupancy sensors CO2 sensors and other air quality alarms; and
- Monitor project performance through a policy of commissioning, metering, annual reporting, and periodic re-commissioning.
Apply this process to the reuse, renovation or repair of existing buildings as well.
2004 ASLA Award Recipients (Photos: Nancy Rottle)
Recommendations
Reduce Heating, Cooling, and Lighting Loads through Climate-Responsive Design and Conservation Practices
- Use passive solar design; orient, size, and specify windows; and locate landscape elements with solar geometry and building load requirements in mind.
- Use high-performance building envelopes; select walls, roofs, and other assemblies based on long-term insulation and durability requirements.
Employ Renewable or High-Efficiency Energy Sources
- Renewable energy sources include solar water heating, photovoltaic (PV), wind, biomass, and geothermal. Use of renewable energy can increase energy security and reduce dependence on imported fuels, while reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use. Consider solar thermal for domestic hot water and heating purposes.
- Evaluate the use of building scale to take advantage of on-site renewable energy technologies such as daylighting, solar water heating, and geothermal heat pumps.
- Consider the use of larger scale, on-site renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind turbines.
- Evaluate purchasing electricity generated from renewable sources or low polluting sources such as natural gas.
Specify Efficient HVAC and Lighting Systems
- Use energy efficient HVAC equipment and systems that meet or exceed 10 CFR 434. For Department of Defense facilities, refer to the standards within UFC 3-400-01, Design for Energy Conservation.
- Use lighting systems that consume less than 1 watt/square foot for ambient lighting.
- Use Energy Star® approved and/or FEMP-designated energy efficient products or products that meet or exceed Department of Energy standards.
- Evaluate energy recovery systems that pre-heat or pre-cool incoming ventilation air in commercial and institutional buildings.
- Investigate the use of integrated generation and delivery systems, such as co-generation, fuel cells, and off-peak thermal storage. See also WBDG Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Microturbines.
Optimize Building Performance and System Control Strategies
- Employ energy modeling programs early in the design process.
- Use sensors to control loads based on occupancy, schedule and/or the availability of natural resources such as daylight or natural ventilation.
- Evaluate the use of modular components such as boilers or chillers to optimize part-load efficiency and maintenance requirements.
- Evaluate the use of Smart Controls that merge building automation systems with information technology (IT) infrastructures.
- Employ an interactive energy management tool that allows you to track and assess energy and water consumption like the Energy Star® Portfolio Manager.
Monitor Project Performance
- Use a comprehensive, building commissioning plan throughout the life of the project.
- Use metering to confirm building energy and environmental performance through the life of the project.
- See also WBDG Facility Performance Evaluation.
Sustainability and Energy Security
Energy independence and security are important components of national security and energy strategies. Today, power is mostly generated by massive centralized plants, and electricity moves along transmission lines. "Getting off of foreign oil" means minimizing energy consumption through energy conservation and efficiency, and generating energy from local, renewable sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, etc. (see WBDG Distributed Energy Resources, Fuel Cell Technology, Microturbines, Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Daylighting, Passive Solar Heating) Additionally, using distributed energy systems adds to building resiliency as the threats of natural disaster damage become more frequent.
Emerging Issues
Roof-mounted PV on carport, North Island Naval Base, San Diego, CA
Net Zero Energy Buildings Executive Order 13514 requires all new Federal buildings that are entering the planning process in 2020 be 'designed to achieve zero-net-energy by 2030.' There are also commercial building and residential programs promoting net-zero energy. Examples of commercial, residential and government net-zero energy buildings exist and can provide guidance for the development of future net-zero energy buildings.
Passive survivability, which is described as the ability of a facility to provide shelter and basic occupant needs during and after disaster events without electric power is becoming a design strategy to consider, particularly in areas of the country where storms and floods have been reoccurring annually or more often. Incorporate facility survivability concepts in the design of critical facilities, including on-site renewable energy sources that will be available to power the building soon after a major storm passes. Checklist for Passive Survivability
Green Walls or Vertical Gardens, sometimes referred to as 'Vegitecture' are beginning to appear as a design element in urban buildings. Be sure they do not conflict with site security requirements including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Relevant Codes, Laws, and Standards
Codes and Laws
- Energy Codes and Standards
- Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 2007)
- Energy Policy Act of 2005
- Executive Order 13221, "Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices"
- Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management"
- Executive Order 13514, "Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance"
Standards
- ASHRAE 100-2006 Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings
- ASHRAE 189.1-2011 Standard for the Design of Green Buildings, except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
- IGCC-2012 International Green Construction Code, International Code Council
- U.S. General Services Administration
Major Resources
WBDG
Building Types / Space Types
Applicable to most building types and space types, especially high energy users such as Health Care Facilities, Hospital, Research Facilities, Automated Data Processing: Mainframe, Automated Data Processing: PC System, Laboratory: Dry, Laboratory: Wet
Design Objectives
Aesthetics—Engage the Integrated Design Process, Cost-Effective, Functional / Operational, Historic Preservation—Update Building Systems Appropriately, Productive, Secure / Safe, Sustainable—Optimize Site Potential, , Sustainable—Protect and Conserve Water, Sustainable—Use Greener Materials, Sustainable—Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality, Sustainable—Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
Products and Systems
Section 23 28 13: Commercial—Kitchen Hoods, Section 23 31 00: HVAC Ducts and Casings, Section 23 05 93: Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing for HVAC, Building Envelope Design Guide—Sustainability of the Building Envelope
Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers:
- 01 91 00 (01810) Commissioning
- 03 30 00 (03300) Cast-In-Place Concrete
- 03 40 00 (03400) Precast Concrete
- 04 20 00 (04200) Unit Masonry
- 07 20 00 (07200) Thermal Protection
- 07 30 00 (07300) Steep Slope Roofing
- 07 50 00 (07500) Membrane Roofing
- 07 92 00 (07900) Joint Sealants
- 08 14 00 (08210) Wood Doors
- 08 50 00 (08500) Windows
- 11 13 00 (11160) Loading Dock Equipment
- 11 28 00 (11680) Office Equipment
- 11 30 00 (11450) Residential Equipment
- 12 10 00 (12100) Artwork
- 14 20 00 (14200) Elevators
- 23 30 00 (15800) HVAC Air Distribution
- 23 70 00 (15700) Central HVAC Equipment
- 26 50 00 (16500) Lighting
- 48 14 00 (13600) Solar Energy Electrical Power Generation Equipment
- 48 15 00 (13600) Wind Energy Electrical Power Generation Equipment
- 48 30 00 (13600) Biomass Energy Electrical Power Generation Equipment
Project Management
Project Planning, Delivery, and Controls, Building Commissioning
Tools
Energy Analysis category
Minimize Energy Consumption
- Energy Design Resources
- Energy Star®, EPA
- Energy Star® for New Building Design
- Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), DOE
- Federal Research and Develop Agenda for Net-Zero Energy, High-Performance Green Buildings (PDF 2.8 MB), National Science and Technology Council Report October 2008
- Net Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative, U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Program
- WBDG case studies: Center for Neighborhood Technology; EPA New England Regional Laboratory; NAVFAC Building 33
Employ Renewable or High-Efficiency Energy Sources
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Photovoltaics Program, Sandia National Laboratory
- Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) and CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology)
Specify Efficient HVAC and Lighting Systems
Optimize Building Performance and System Control Strategies
- WBDG: Productive, Functional / Operational—Ensure Appropriate Product/Systems Integration, Functional / Operational—Meet Performance Objectives
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Buildings R&D Breakthroughs: Technologies and Products Supported by the Building Technologies Program (PDF 15.8 MB)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume 1 (PDF 2.5 MB)
- Building Energy Information Systems: State of the Technology and User Case Studies, (PDF 4.86 MB), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, November 2009
Others
- FedCenter.gov—FedCenter, the Federal Facilities Environmental Stewardship and Compliance Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, and the U.S. EPA Federal Facilities Enforcement Office. FedCenter replaces the previous FedSite as a one-stop source of environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information focused solely on the needs of federal government facilities.
- Executive Order 13423 Technical Guidance
- RenewableEnergyWorld.com