A new publication from leading industry organizations provides guidance for the business case to achieve energy savings as much as 30%.
Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: The Business Case for Building Owners and Managers provides the rationale for making economic decisions related to improving and sustaining energy efficiency in existing buildings. Approximately 86% of U.S. annual building construction expenditures relate to renovation of existing buildings versus new construction.
“Our goal is to enable business owners to break down the ‘mystery’ of energy conservation opportunities into business-based scenarios that are both practical and cost-justifiable,” said George Jackins, who chaired the committee overseeing the book. “To achieve true sustainability in the building industry, we must help owners learn that investing in energy efficiency translates into a high rate of return with a low associated risk. Owners and managers typically view buildings in terms of short-term economics. We must make the transition from best value versus lowest first cost of buildings.”
Specifically, the guide provides straight-forward applications that could produce energy savings from 10 to 15% to a more aggressive approach that could save 30% or more.
The book is a collaboration between ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects, the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the U.S. Green Building Council.
The book is the first of three planned guides on energy efficiency. The second will be aimed at providing technical guidance in undertaking existing building renovation programs. The third will provide operation and maintenance guidance to help sustain the energy efficiency.
To order Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: The Business Case for Building Owners and Managers, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800.527.4723 (United States and Canada) or 404.636.8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit www.ashrae.org/energyguide.
