[Bldg-sim] Percent Energy Savings

[Varkie C Thomas]

ASHRAE Std90 for the baseline is already stringent and specifies the commonly used systems & plants based on building type and size.  Based on the CCGT building, high percentage energy savings for LEED certification can be achieved with low-rise buildings with a high exposure to floor surface areas to locate PV panels, high but efficient glass to wall area for day-lighting, the use of GSHP (which requires a large site area which may not be available in city blocks), and low common energy consuming systems in baseline and proposed which increases “percentage” energy savings.  
 
A school building is low-rise, is low in process loads (increases % savings) and is high in occupancy ventilation which allows for air-to-air heat recovery. It operates only during the day increasing the impact of day-lighting. It is closed in summer, reducing the annual cooling load and increases the impact of solar heating during the rest of the year in cold climates.  So it is possible to achieve zero energy usage.  
 
The choices are limited in the case of inner city high-rise buildings.  Today’s high-rise office building design tries to maximize the glass percentage which increases the impact of day-lighting.  The glass could have PV properties with a very small overall efficiency of converting light to 110V electricity.  The ASHRAE Std90 baseline for Systems and Plants for such a building is considered normal design.  UFAD and other options are not typical.  The proposed envelope has to offset the 40% Window-Wall-Ratio specified by ASHRAE.
 
High percent energy savings does not therefore necessarily mean a better or optimized designed building in terms of the client’s interests.  Percent energy savings should therefore not be the criteria for energy efficient building design.  It should be based on Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) used for the given building that are more energy efficient compared to ASHRAE Std90 for the given building type and size which usually results in increased first costs. The ECMs are going to be different for different types of buildings in different locations.  If the ECM used is inappropriate, then the client pays a price for the high percent energy savings.
 
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