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C L E A N E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E T E A M S ( C E RT S )

15 Questions You Can Ask to Improve


Building Efficiency
Prepared by Rin Porter, Central Region Clean Energy Resource Team - November 2005.

1) Are you going to incorporate daylighting into the for commercial and residential buildings
building design? including T8 lights and compact fluores-
Artificial lighting accounts for as much as cents.
40% to 50% of the energy consumption in T8 Lights produce an efficacy of up to 100
many commercial and institutional build- lumens per watt, the highest efficacy of any
ings, and 10% to 20% in industrial buildings. fluorescent light and use less of the toxic
Reducing lighting loads can save energy materials found in larger fluorescent lights.
and improve worker productivity and com- Note: T8 lights require a T8 compatible bal-
fort. Daylighting is one alternative that can last to operate and will not operate on bal-
reduce lighting loads. Designing for day- lasts rated for T12 lights.
lighting includes clerestory windows, sky-
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are
lights, and interior space planning that puts
designed to replace many frequently used
activity areas close to windows at the appro-
incandescent bulbs. They can be used to
priate time of day for maximum light.
reduce energy use and power demand by
For more information, see”: over 70 percent. The lights have a lifetime of
• "Daylighting for commercial, Institutional, at least 10,000 hours and the light produced
and Industrial Buildings": www.eere.ener- is similar in appearance to that of an incan-
gy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/cb4.html descent light. Note: frequent cycles of short
operation hours significantly reduce light
• "Passive Solar Heating, Cooling, and
life.
Daylighting":
http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_pas- For more information see:
sive.html. • "Frequently Asked Questions about
• Solar tube tubular skylights can be an Lighting Commercial Facilities":
excellent source of natural lighting. Some http://www.energy.state.or.us/bus/light/F
Frequently Asked Questions about this tech- AQ.htm.
nology are answered at http://www.sky- • http://www.eere.energy.gov/EE/build-
lightguys.com/faq ings_lighting.html also provides links to
• Interior louvers, exterior glass curtain- building lighting information.
walls, and atrium skylights can direct light
where you want it and control the indoor
3) Are you planning to use Low-E windows or plan-
environment so that occupants enjoy the
ning to have windows with a U factor of 0.35 or
benefits of natural light. See www.es-
less?
Low-emittance (Low-E) coating consists of
so.com.
microscopically thin, virtually invisible,
2) Have you planned to assure the building has metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on
energy efficient lighting? a window or skylight glazing surface
A PUBLICATION OF
There are energy efficient lighting options
CENTRAL CERT
W W W. C L E A N E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E T E A M S . O R G
helping Minnesota communities
determine their energy future CERTs Partners: Minnesota Department of Commerce, The Minnesota Project, University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development
Partnerships, The Rural Minnesota Energy Board, Metropolitan Counties Energy Task Force, Resource Conservation and Development Councils

1
• Solar control glass with transparent
Solar Thermal Heating System heat-reflecti§ Minnesota Energy
Information Center:
www.commerce.state.mn.us;
• Solar Minnesota website:
www.solarminnesota.org
• International Window Film
Association: www.iwfa.com.
• Solar wall solar air heating systems,
check out www.solarwall.com.
• Midwest Renewable Energy
Association, www.the-mrea.com,

5) Have you integrated occupancy sensors into


your design to minimize energy use in unoc-
cupied rooms?
Occupancy sensors can ensure that the
energy usage declines when no one is
primarily to reduce the U-factor by • Minimum requirements for Energy in a room or building By installing the
suppressing radiative heat flow. A typi- Star windows in the Midwest can be sensors in the proper locations, you
cal type of low-E coating is transparent found at: http://www.efficientwin- can ensure the lights automatically
to the solar spectrum (visible light and dows.org/energystar.cfm. turn off when no one is present and
short-wave infrared radiation) and • If possible, use triple-pane high effi- back on when they return.
reflective of long-wave infrared radia- ciency windows with condensation For more information see:
tion. resistance.
•http://www.greenseal.org/recom-
U-factor (U-value) is a measure of the • Fixed windows are most effective at mendations/CGR=Sensors.pdf
rate of non-solar heat loss or gain maintaining energy efficiency. The
through a material or assembly - the alternate is casement windows. Least 6) What heating source are you planning to
lower the U-factor, the greater a win- efficient are sliders and double-hung use? Have you thought about ground source
dow's resistance to heat flow and the windows. heat pumps? Have you planned for dual-fuel
better its insulating value. It is heat?
expressed in units of Btu/hr-sq ft-°F 4) Have you planned to use passive solar Non-electric heat is typically more effi-
(W/sq m-°C). Values are normally heating, solar electric, solar hot water, or solar cient that electric heat, but ground
given for NFRC/ASHRAE winter con- thermal technology in your building? source heat pumps, which do use elec-
ditions of 0° F (18° C) outdoor temper- Solar energy offers great potential. tricity, are more efficient than gas.
ature, 70° F (21° C) indoor temperature, According to the International Window Dual fuel systems may allow residen-
15 mph wind, and no solar load. The Film Association, Solar control glass tial and commercial customers to bene-
U-factor may be expressed for the glass with transparent heat-reflective coat- fit from cost reductions offered by utili-
alone or the entire window, which ings can insulate against heat loss in ties when the building has an alternate
includes the effect of the frame and the winter and block unwanted solar heat heat source that allows the utility to
spacer materials. year round. The siting and orientation turn off the electric or gas furnace dur-
For more information see: of your building can affect heat loss or ing peak periods.
gain, well-planned landscaping can
•http://www.efficientwindows.org/in For more information see:
provide shade protection, and active
dex.cfm or • www.ghpc.org, http://www.nmnre-
solar systems can provide both heat
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm newables.org/geothermal/heat_pump
and electricity.
?c=windows_doors.pr_windows or s.shtml, or www.enlinkgeoenergy.com
http://www.state.mn.us/mn/external For more information see:
for Ground Source Heat Pumps.
Docs/Windows__Doors_110802042904 • Center for Sustainable Building
•www.epa.gov/Region10/offices/air/
_Window&Doors05-03.pdf Research: http://www.csbr.umn.edu/
catalyti.html for the US EPA wood

C L E A N E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E T E A M S – 15 Questions You Can Ask to Improve Your Building – 2005 2


heater program. A wood or corn stove Commerce Website: buildings, select durable materials
can provide back-up heat during emer- http://www.state.mn.us/mn/external when feasible such as stone for floor,
gencies or times that your utility turns Docs/Energy_Saving_Landscapes_110 steel for roof. Try to avoid materials
off your gas or electric furnace during 802040030_Landscaping05-03.pdf. with CFCs, PVC and high VOCs.
peak periods. This use of biomass Form more information see:
helps save energy by reducing con- 9) Have you planned for water recycling in
the building, a green roof on the building, • http://www.forestrycenter.org and
sumption of gas and electricity.
and pervious paving outside the building? http://www.fscus.org.
7) Have you thought about using in-floor If your building will have a large roof • www.freecycle.org
heating (also referred to as Wirsbo for one of area, you may want to consider captur-
• www.envirolink.org
the popular manufacturers)? ing rain water, storing it in a cistern,
• www.nrc-recycle.org
This type of heating warms objects as and using it to flush toilets and water
opposed to raising the temperature of plants. A green roof can also prevent
12) Are you planning on using local, sustain-
the air. stormwater runoff from roof areas.
ably-harvested wood products?
• For descriptions, pictures, general Reservoirs and ponds can be incorpo-
• Minnesota's own Community
design, installation, and system com- rated in a water recycling system and
Forestry Resource Center can be found
ponent information see: "Hydronic water used to wash clothes and dishes
at http://www.forestrycenter.org/,
Radiant Floor Heating": can even be captured, filtered, and
and the Forestry Stewardship Council
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/bure- reused (but not for drinking unless you
is at http://www.fscus.org/
ma/gesein/abhose/ce04.cfm. incorporate special measures).
When evaluating storm water drainage 13) Have you planned for plenty of fresh air
8) Are you planning to site the facility to from parking lots, keep in mind that to flow throughout the building, and reduce
take advantage of energy efficiencies from pervious paving allows rainwater to air infiltration by sealing plumbing, electrical,
landscaping and control erosion? soak into the ground rather than run window, and door openings with caulk and
Buildings can be oriented on a site so off it. weatherstripping materials?
that they take advantage of the sun's Reduced air infiltration combined with
Form more information see:
heat and light. The building should be proper ventilation may not only
sited on an east-west axis within 30 • www.co.st-louis.mn.us, which
reduce your energy bills but also
degrees of south for best use of the sun describes how the City of Duluth used
improve the quality of your indoor air.
in Minnesota. For landscaping, one water conservation methods.
Outdoor air coming in makes it diffi-
should use plants to shade east and • www.greenroofs.com. cult to maintain comfort and energy
west facing windows, NEVER south efficiency. In addition, air leakage
• www.greenbuilder.com
facing windows. Trees will provide accounts for 25-40% of the energy used
•www.bfrl.nist.gov/oae/software/bee
summer shade and a winter wind- for heating and cooling a typical
s/products.html
break. home. A key building improvement is
• www.clean- sealing all attic bypass leaks which can
Other questions to consider include:
water.uwex.edu/pubs.raingarden reduce heat loss all over the building.
• Have you thought of adding porches,
trellises, and roof overhangs to mini- 10) Have you specified that energy efficient For more information see:
mize solar gain in summer? appliances be installed? • The Department of Energy's Energy
• Have you developed a plan to con- • See www.energystar.gov. Efficiency & Renewable Energy site:
trol erosion before, during and after 11) Have you planned to use sustainable http://www.eere.energy.gov/EE/buil
construction? Will your plan protect building materials and a percentage of recy- dings_envelope.html.
hillsides and prevent air pollution from cled materials in the interior and exterior of • "Considerations for Building a More
dust? the building? Will you recycle the construc- Energy Efficient Home":
• Will your landscaping use native tion and demolition debris? http://www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.as
plantings that do not require irrigation Recycled paint, ceiling tiles, carpet, p?TrackID=&CategoryID=16&Docume
after establishment, or will use cap- flooring, millwork, beams, and other ntID=4168.
tured rainwater for irrigation? components can be incorporated into a
For more information see: building to reduce the amount of new
materials needed. When designing
• The Minnesota Department of

C L E A N E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E T E A M S – 15 Questions You Can Ask to Improve Your Building – 2005 3


For additional information about energy effi-
Green Roof at the Green Institute in Minneapolis cient buildings please see:
• LEED
(http://www.usgbc.org/leed/leed_m
ain.asp ). LEED stands for Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design -
a green building rating system.
• B3 Project, Buildings, Benchmarks
and Beyond. Here are a couple of
links to that:
http://www.csbr.umn.edu/B3/index.
html and
http://www.csbr.umn.edu/b3-
msbg.html
• Minnesota Dept of Commerce
Energy Information Center:
energy.info@state.mn.us
•http://www.energystar.gov/ia/busi-
14) What kind of insulation were you thinking • 1/2 inch rigid insulation inside ness/BUM.pdf
of using? What is the R rating you have framed walls
planned to achieve for the building's walls, • Continuous thermal barrier to reduce
roof, and floors? thermal bridging
R-Factor (Thermal Resistance Factor) -
• Fill between wall studs with cellulose
the National Commercial & Industrial
or urethane foam, not fiberglas batts)
Insulation Standards Manual defines
R-Value as a measure of the ability to • Exterior air barrier such as Tybex or
retard heat flow rather than to trans- Turbotex paper
mit heat. The higher the "R", the high- • Correct installation of window flash-
er (better) the insulating value. ing
Currently, commercial buildings only
• Foundation backfilled with gravel
have to be built to R20 and residential
base and non-clay soil
to R30-new buildings should shoot for
• Insulation under the slab, if applica-
an R50 rating at least.
ble.
For more information:
• Frost protection for shallow founda-
• about R Factors: http://www.insu-
tions
lation.org/techs/faq.cfm#11
• Sealing of attic bypass leaks
• about insulation: http://www.insu-
lation.org/techs/faq.cfm#11 or
http://www.b4ubuild.com/links/insu For more information see:
lation.shtml or • www.sbicouncil.org
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls
• www.usgbc.org
/insulation/ins_16.html.
• www.buildinggreen.com
15) Will your building envelope feature energy • www.buildingscience.com,
efficient building techniques?
•www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.ed
Some suggestions include:
u/default.htm
• Rigid insulation sheathing placed
• www.builderbooks.com
outside 2 x 6 walls
• Staggered stud construction

C L E A N E N E R G Y R E S O U R C E T E A M S – 15 Questions You Can Ask to Improve Your Building – 2005 4

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