High Performing Buildings - Spring 2011 - (Page 2)

E d i t o r ’ s c o M M E n t a r y Simply Better H igh P ErforMing b uildings 1791 Tullie Circle N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329-2305 Phone: 404-636-8400, Fax: 404-321-5478 www.HPBmagazine.org, E-mail: HPBmagazine@ashrae.org Editorial advisory Board I f you want high performance, you don’t need exotic technologies and gadgets, and you probably don’t have to spend a lot of extra money. That seems to be an underlying message of many columns and articles in this issue. One covers a database of highperforming buildings that is being developed by the New Buildings Institute. It ranks 12 technologies that are most common to new and renovated buildings that achieve 50% better energy performance than comparable buildings. Ranked first is daylighting, which is used by almost all buildings, according to the column, Learning from Performance. “Given the double benefit of reduced watts per square foot, and reduced cooling load, these make sense as major contributors to low energy use,” say authors Cathy Higgins and Karl Brown. Least frequent of the 12 technologies is demonstration renewable energy, often PV. “PV systems,” say the authors, “tend to be found on public buildings as a demonstration project, or on larger corporate buildings where the extra expense is more cost effective.” ENERMODAL Engineering’s headquarters combines good basic mechanical engineering with carefully controlled system operation. The building is 82% more efficient than Canada’s model energy code, and has been verified as the most energy-efficient office recorded by Natural Resources Canada. “Great mechanical systems don’t have to be complicated, expensive or in your face,” says Richard Lay, the chief mechanical system designer. The Benedictine Sisters at Holy Wisdom Monastery were guided by their mission of prayer, hospitality, justice and care for the earth when they constructed their new monastery. The result is a building with a preliminary ENERGY STAR rating of 92 that was built at a cost similar to that of conventional buildings. OTHER EXAMPLES are the nonprofit David Brower Center and the Berlin headquarters of SOLON SE. Named for the first executive director of the Sierra Club and founder of Friends of Earth, the Brower Center is designed to create as light a footprint as possible, taking into account true life-cycle costs of construction, operation and maintenance. SOLON SE supplies PV systems for solar power plants, including the world’s largest solar array of its kind. Its world headquarters features a prefabricated wood façade that provides heat and cold protection through triple-glazed insulated windows and motorized shading. SOME BUILDINGS cost more than others, mostly for good reasons. What’s important is performance is a by-product of integrated design. And simple is usually better, and less costly. Lindsay Audin, Energywiz David Grumman, P.E., Grumman/Butkus Associates Sheila Hayter, P.E., National Renewable Energy Lab Adam W. Hinge, P.E., Sustainable Energy Partnerships Vivian Loftness, FAIA, Carnegie Mellon University Donald Winston, P.E., The Durst Organization Editorial Fred Turner, fturner@ashrae.org Sarah Foster, sfoster@ashrae.org associatE Editors Rebecca Matyasovski, rebecca@ashrae.org Charlotte Tubbs, ctubbs@ashrae.org Christopher Weems, cweems@ashrae.org copy Editor Jeri Eader, jeader@ashrae.org Editor Managing Editor d E s i g n Susan Carabetta, Carabetta Hayden Design P u B l i s h i n g s E r v i c E s a n d c i r c u l at i o n publishing sErvicEs ManagEr production David Soltis Jayne Jackson, Tracy Becker Greg Martin, gmartin@ashrae.org Vanessa Johnson, vjohnson@ashrae.org advErtising advErtising salEs ManagEr advErtising production P u B l i s h E r W. Stephen Comstock M i s s i o n s tat E M E n t High Performing Buildings describes measured performance of practices and technologies to promote better buildings, presenting case studies that feature integrated building design practices and improved operations and maintenance techniques. issn 1940-3003 (print) and 1940-3054 (digital) Published Quarterly Copyright 2011 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1791 Tullie Circle N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329-2305. Standard class postage paid at Atlanta, Georgia, and additional mailing offices. subscriptions High Performing Buildings is free to qualified subscribers. Nonqualified subscriptions cost $19 in the U.S. and Canada and $31 outside the U.S. and Canada. Single copies are $6 in the U.S. and Canada and $12 outside the U.S. and Canada. Subscriptions can be completed at www.HPBmagazine.org/subscribe. Postmaster Canadian Agreement Number 40037127. Canadian return address: Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. E-mail: returnsIL@imex.pb.com. change of address Send current address to High Performing Buildings, P.O. Box 1254, Skokie, IL 60076 or visit www. HPBmagazine.org/addresschange. customer service Contact High Performing Buildings, P.O. Box 1254, Skokie, IL 60076 or HPBsubscriptionmanagement@ halldata.com. Environmental Benefits statement The pages of High Performing Buildings are printed on Somerset Matte Recycled, manufactured by Sappi Paper. Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator. High Performing Buildings saved the following resources by using Somerset Matte Recycled. Greenhouse Wood Use Net Energy Gases Wastewater Solid Waste 13 tons (89 28 Million 8,443 lbs co2 40,665 2,469 trees saved) btus saved equiv. saved gallons saved pounds less Publication disclaimer ASHRAE does not necessarily agree with any statement or opinion in this publication. The appearance of any technical data, editorial material or advertisement in this publication does not constitute endorsement, warranty or guarantee by ASHRAE of any product, service, process, procedure, design or the like. http://www.HPBmagazine.org http://www.HPBmagazine.org/subscribe http://www.HPBmagazine.org/addresschange http://www.HPBmagazine.org/addresschange

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of High Performing Buildings - Spring 2011

High Performing Buildings - Spring 2011
Commentary
Contents
Enermodal's Headquarters
David Brower Center
Hawaii's Energy Lab
Holy Wisdom Monastery
SOLON Headquarters
Learning From Performance
Products
Advertisers Index

High Performing Buildings - Spring 2011