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Energy Efficiencies and Older Buildings
A great deal has been written about the importance of moving buildings into energy efficiency in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gases, while moving toward carbon neutrality. The problem is that retrofitting and/or upgrading older buildings can be difficult, du to time constraints and capital expenses.
A recent article in “UrbanLand,” written by Doug Davenport (ProspectSV) and Paul Mathew (Lawrence Berkeley System National Laboratory) offered a potential solution. U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored Integrated Systems Packages, developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are specifically designed package efficiency directives and solutions that can help streamline the retrofit process. The toolkits provide checklists, specifications, test procedures and templates to ensure retrofits are effective. The result is a savings in times and resources, and an adoption toward greater energy efficiency.
The ISPs offers three versions (as well as case studies that used these toolkits).
Tenant Fit-Out ISP Toolkit
This package includes LED lighting, daylight dimming controls, HVAC controls (based on ASHRAE Guideline 36) and energy monitoring. Other options include ceiling fans, automated interior shades and plug-in load controls.
RTU Replacement ISP Toolkit
Focused on rooftop units, this package provides a high-efficiency RTU, ASRAHE Guideline 36-based advanced controls and energy monitoring. Options also include window films and “cool” roofs.
Building Renovation ISP Toolkit
Typically used during an overall building upgrade, this toolkit offers a combination of the RTU and Tenant Fit-Out ISP toolkits, such as LED lighting, HVAC controls and energy monitoring.
All of the packages were tested through simulations, with the results demonstrating energy savings.
The authors noted that integration of standardized retrofit packages into the real estate life cycle leads to a reduction in “high transaction costs, engineering expertise, and building occupant disruptions that are normally associated with building energy efficiency upgrades.” This, in turn, can be helpful when it comes to reducing energy usage, while potentially moving buildings to a carbon-neutral status.
- ◦Development
