Features
ASHRAE seeks public comment on revised Standard 100-2006 for existing buildings

The standard was first published in 1981, and the need for its requirements has grown as more attention is paid to improving energy in current building stock, ASHRAE said. It is open for an advisory public review until May 25, 2011.

CLICK HERE for more information.

“In order to offset the growing amount of floor space and subsequent increased energy demands, existing buildings must improve their efficiency, even if every new square foot were built and operated at net zero energy,” said Rick Hermans, chair of the Standard 100 committee. “ASHRAE and IES are working to make Standard 100 the best source of practical, accurate and cost effective design guidance for existing buildings.”

“Through this advisory public review, we are seeking broad and general comments on the text of the standard, the concepts of requirements and opinions about the value of the standard,” he added.

ASHRAE describes the revised standard as providing comprehensive and detailed descriptions of the processes and procedures for the energy efficiency improvements of existing residential and commercial buildings in order to achieve greater energy efficiency.

“Cities like New York, which are constrained in their development due to infrastructure limitations, can use this tool to renovate their existing building stock, freeing up energy for new developments,” ASHRAE Presidential Member Gordon Holness, whose presidential theme focused on energy in existing buildings, said. “Given that 75 to 80 percent of all buildings that will exist in the year 2030, exist today, this rewritten standard gives us a vital resource to fulfill our sustainability goals.”

The standard is said to address major and minor modifications for both residential and commercial buildings, single and multiple activity buildings with variable occupancy periods and identifies an energy target for 53 building types in 16 climate zones/sub-zones.

The revised standard also identifies energy efficiency requirements for buildings without energy targets – mostly industrial, agricultural, data centers and special laboratories – and provides multiple levels of compliance.

Recognizing that the type of occupancy, operation and the use of a building plays a key role in its performance, the standard establishes the requirement for developing an energy management plan and an operation and maintenance plan, according to Hermans.

Included within the revised standards is the criteria for energy use surveys, auditing, implementation and verification. Appendices are included for life cycle cost analysis procedures as well as identification of potential energy efficiency measures.