|
« Green Roof |
Table of Contents |
Integrated Project Delivery » |
|
|
|
|
|
High-Efficiency Equipment |
|
High-efficiency equipment is based on design and functionality, and consumes far less energy over time than conventional equipment that performs the same function. How then, does one know if a piece of equipment is “high-efficiency?” The question is not so easy to answer as there are currently no national standards for high efficiency equipment. However, in the United States, there are national efficiency standards that certain types of equipment used in residential and commercial buildings have to meet. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) placed uniform national standards on an array of products and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) expanded the coverage to include certain commercial building equipment. The Energy Policy Act was updated in 2005. Many organizations use these national efficiency standards as a benchmark to then specify high-efficiency equipment. This is most commonly accomplished through the use of a rating. In addition to ratings developed for equipment and appliances, other industries have developed or are promoting ratings for a wide array of products, including windows, lighting, solar panels, etc. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes its ENERGY STAR program and is a good source of information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contents
1.Definition
2. Use/Application
a. Established Techniques
b. Emerging Trends
3. Use an Integrated Approach
4. Resources
5. Associated Strategies
6. Case Studies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Definition |
|
|
|
High-efficiency equipment is based on design and functionality, and consumes far less energy over time than conventional equipment that performs the same function. How then, does one know if a piece of equipment is “high-efficiency?” The question is not so easy to answer as there are currently no national standards for high efficiency equipment. However, in the United States, there are national efficiency standards that certain types of equipment used in residential and commercial buildings have to meet. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) placed uniform national standards on an array of products and the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) expanded the coverage to include certain commercial building equipment. The Energy Policy Act was updated in 2005. Many organizations use these national efficiency standards as a benchmark to then specify high-efficiency equipment. This is most commonly accomplished through the use of a rating. In addition to ratings developed for equipment and appliances, other industries have developed or are promoting ratings for a wide array of products, including windows, lighting, solar panels, etc. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes its ENERGY STAR program and is a good source of information.
Most commonly used residential and commercial equipment (i.e., HVAC systems, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, washing machines, and toilets) carry a rating, typically developed through industry consensus. Some examples of common ratings are as follows:
AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This rating measures the seasonal or annual efficiency rating of equipment that uses fuel like natural gas or oil (i.e., furnaces and boilers). Size is one of the most important factors affecting the efficiency of the AFUE, as to large a system not only costs more but operates less efficiently.
SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. Rates the efficiency of equipment during the cooling season (“cooling efficiency”). This rating can be found on residential and commercial central air conditioner systems.
HSPF – Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rates the efficiency of equipment during the heating season (“heating efficiency”). This rating can be found on heat pumps.
EER – Energy Efficiency Rating. This rating can be found on residential room air conditioners.
In each of the above, the higher the rating number specified the higher-efficiency the equipment will be.
GPM – Gallons per Minute. This rating indicates the gallons per minute of water used.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use / Application |
|
|
|
Comparing Ratings of different model equipment
|
High-efficiency equipment usually has a higher initial cost than more conventional, less efficient models. However, the economics of owning equipment goes beyond the initial price, as it also includes the cost to operate over its lifetime and includes maintenance and repair costs. All these costs need to be taken into consideration when deciding which piece of equipment will be the better choice. It should be pointed out that the rating goes hand in hand with cost as the higher efficiency equipment you purchase will decrease the overall lifetime energy usage cost.
Comparing rating numbers on different equipment rating labels will show the efficiency of the equipment and thus the amount of energy a specific model uses. Simply stated, the higher the rating, the more efficient the product, and the less energy the piece of equipment will use. However, to get the most efficiency out of the equipment it must be specified for its application and integrated with other equipment properly. This means that all equipment must be properly sized and located, taking into consideration the type of climate/environment. In addition, the person or persons utilizing the equipment need to be educated in the operation and general maintenance of the equipment for continued efficiency.
|
|
Established Techniques |
|
|
Using Rating Label Information: Currently, there are a number of independent organizations that have developed rating systems that have been largely adopted by other groups and institutions. One such organization, the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, or GAMA, has created a rating system that rates the efficiencies of heating and water heating equipment for both commercial and residential applications. With this rating system, one is able to compare the efficiencies of similar equipment, such as commercial boilers or water heaters. The GAMA directory is widely used by government and independent energy programs when specifying equipment that must have a minimum rated efficiency to meet that program’s requirements.
Additional Measures
The following are additional measures that can be used along with a rating in the selection of high-efficiency equipment:
- Determine the equipment’s overall application and cost-effectiveness
- Choose a higher rated efficiency than standard rated equipment
- Size equipment appropriately
- Choose the best options for the application (i.e., gas or oil furnace)
- Choose the best technological options (i.e., smart controls)
- Confirm proper installation and understand operations and maintenance
|
|
Emerging Trends |
|
|
High-efficiency equipment is now becoming an important factor in whole-building system design with the ever increasing global demand for energy.
National Standards
The U.S. Department of Energy has a schedule for setting new efficiency standards over the next five years to meet all of the statutory requirements established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA 2000) and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005). Statutes require DOE to set appliance efficiency standards at levels that achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. Standards already in place for residential products are expected to save consumers nearly $93 billion by 2020, and to save enough energy to operate all U.S. homes for approximately two years.
Tax Incentives
Tax incentives continue to emerge on the local, state, and federal levels for manufacturers, businesses, and consumers, who choose high-efficiency equipment. Local utilities offer a wide array of incentives, typically in the form of rebates, which can help defray higher first costs. These incentives typically exist for upgrades, purchases, and/or installation of such equipment.
Local Jurisdictions
More and more local city governments and building departments are beginning to require compliance with national energy and green building programs which require minimum equipment efficiencies. For instance, many cities now require compliance with the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which certifies buildings as “green” if they attain a minimum number of points from the programs checklist of approved measures. New, stricter guidelines have been developed which require all LEED projects to achieve at least two “optimize energy performance” points in the LEED credit system. This change will reduce energy used in new LEED buildings by 4% and in renovated buildings by 7% compared to the old LEED credit system.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use an Integrated Approach |
|
|
A new way of thinking must be adopted in order to meet the goal of reducing carbon emissions associated with buildings. Your solutions can begin by integrating four possible methods. None works alone, and they are not all relevant in considering every strategy. However, considering the following tactics is necessary:
- Reduce the overall energy use in your building
- Whenever possible, choose products and equipment with high efficiency standards, demonstrated by industry rating that support a whole building design strategy and a reduction in overall emissions.
- Using energy efficient equipment can reduce a building’s overall energy load, require smaller and more cost effective renewable strategies, and reduce emissions.
- Specify energy efficient equipment and technologies
- Look for and use rating labels that identify the energy efficiency level of the product or equipment you are purchasing.
- Use renewable strategies and purchase green power
- Educate building owners, operators, and occupants
- On function and operations of installed technologies
|
|
Last modified at 2/27/2009 11:41 PM by jamie nace
|
|