Superefficient Affordable Housing: Solutions to Hurdles

This paper describes the programmatic, financial, technical, and operational hurdles that stand in the way of increased energy efficiency in our affordable housing stock. It then explains possible solutions to each of these hurdles. Through the propagation of these solutions and the diminishment of these hurdles, it is possible to create an incentive structure that results in the rapid adoption of energy efficiency within our affordable housing stock.

 

GSA Net Zero Renovation Challenge Charrette

The General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings (OFHPGB) and the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) have launched an effort to enhance and increase the usage of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) on GSA buildings. Rocky Mountain Institute and GSA convened a workshop in 2011 in order to examine the existing ESPC structure and process, and identify improvements to unlock the possibility of deep savings and eventual net zero ESPCs. Attendees examined ways to modify and expand the ESPC process to attain deeper energy savings during comprehensive retrofits of existing buildings. This report summarizes the discussion in and outcomes of the workshop.

 

Pulling the Levers on Existing Buildings: A Simple Method for Calibrating Hourly Energy Models

Comprehensive building retrofits require an investment grade audit in conjunction with a calibrated hourly energy model. Even with the most thorough audit processes, uncertainty still remains when identifying and modeling building parameters. This uncertainty propagates throughout the final calibrated model and affects the quality of the energy saving estimates. This paper, geared towards the typical energy analyst, provides a step-by-step process for achieving more reliable results by calibrating an energy model based on actual utility data.

 

Energy Modeling at Each Design Phase: Strategies to Minimize Design Energy Use

Design teams often use energy modeling as an accounting or code compliance tool to establish that minimum requirements are met. Used in this way, significant opportunities to inform and improve building design are overlooked. Properly used, energy modeling can provide outputs that optimize a building’s energy consumption, reduce life cycle costs, and even reduce first cost. This paper will review how and when design teams typically use energy modeling in each design phase (concept phase, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation) and describe strategies for each phase that can lead to lower energy use buildings.