|
This Month: How Your Company Beat the Heat When It Comes to Summer Energy Usage
|
|
Feature Article
Ensuring Indoor Comfort and Energy Efficiency During The Cooling Season
This summer, ensuring both indoor comfort and energy efficiency in buildings during the cooling season is more critical than ever.
Regardless of world oil price fluctuations, global oil consumption will continue to grow and strain demand. This inevitably will mean high energy costs for facilities. Thus this summer, ensuring that facility systems are running efficiently, regardless of weather conditions is critical to keeping occupants comfortable - and costs down.
Managing peak usage keeps energy costs down
Peak usage determines rates. We are all quite familiar with the demand charges utilities impose. The charge, which determines the facility's seasonal rates, is based on the highest rate at which the customer used energy during a billing cycle. This means even brief usage peaks can significantly increase a facility's utility costs.
Monitoring power usage carefully through the building automation system helps to target possibilities for load shedding or load shifting to avoid power demand peaks. Close monitoring will also help determine if there are inefficiencies in the cooling equipment to plan for replacements or updates during the winter.
Demand charges can be controlled. Load shedding strategies could include shifting major power demands from daytime to night, when there is less strain on the energy grid, and rates are lower.
One way to shift demand load is to bring in cool outside air at night, then use window film or awnings to block the sun from heating indoor space during the day. By pre-cooling the building each day with cooler fresh air and limiting the sun load during the peak sun hours, it is possible to delay the onset of peak cooling loads.
Small adjustments can achieve major savings. Having workers come in an hour or two later can have a major impact on the demand charges a facility incurs. It also helps to use rooms that can be cooled individually, and avoid cooling entire buildings or floors during off-hours. Lighting sensors adjusted to daylight savings can save significant energy as well.
When there is an isolated problem, it should be addressed individually rather than overcooling the entire facility. If, for example, a building space heats up due to south-facing exposure, the windows in that area could be treated or equipment relocated to resolve the problem.
Creative cooling systems increase efficiency. To decrease peak load, raise efficiency, and lower environmental impact, increasing numbers of facilities are implementing innovative heating and cooling systems, from solar and geothermal systems to ice storage.
One example involves the installation of a thermal storage solution that greatly increased energy efficiency during the summer months. The organization expanded its centralized chiller plant to serve five buildings on its campus. The system uses a 1500-ton chiller, which charges 84 ice tanks at night when energy rates are lower. The ice is melted during the day to produce chilled water that is distributed through underground chilled water pipes to cool the buildings. In addition, a condensate reclamation system captures air handler condensate for cooling tower make-up, saving about three million gallons of water per year.
These types of cooling solutions are gaining popularity as facility engineers seek ways to control energy costs and lower dependency on purchased energy.
Keep productivity up during the heat
Occupants' comfort affects productivity. We've all been in facilities where one worker is sweating while another is shivering. It is important not only to occupant comfort but to a facility's productivity to ensure that spaces remain properly cooled in the summer. Studies show that thermal comfort impacts worker performance, as well as student performance and patient outcomes.
When it is hot outside, generally a comfortable indoor temperatures can be up to the mid-70's. Any "hot spots" caused by windows or equipment should be corrected and thermostats should be placed in the center of the room, away from equipment or windows.
Summertime air quality important to facility health. Maintaining indoor air quality is also critical to productivity. Studies indicate that Americans spend up to 90 percent of their day indoors. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, air quality inside buildings can be two to five times worse than outside air, and building-related illnesses account for $60 billion of annual productivity lost nationwide.
In the summertime, we face the challenge of ensuring ventilation standards are up to ANSI/ASHRAE standards, while ensuring that comfort levels remain ideal and efficiency isn't lost. There are a variety of sensors available that can help monitor air quality factors and help to avoid the typical problems related to allergens as well as other quality issues related to lack of outside air.
System checkups maintain efficiency. If all the pre-season work has been done, it is less likely the facility will face cooling emergencies, and summer maintenance should run smoothly.
Some maintenance considerations include:
- Inspect pumps and cooling towers
- Test motors when the system is running at its highest load to make sure they're not overloaded
- Ensure contactors are all secure, within tolerance, starters, motor starters are operating
- Keep a close eye on refrigeration leakage
- Make sure condenser and evaporator coils stay clean
- Check that drain pans are properly sloped for correct drainage and that metal pans are not rusted
By taking the right measures, we can rest easy that our buildings can stay high-performing and energy efficient throughout the summer.
For more information regarding the content of this article, please contact Dave Sommer, LEED-AP, Trane - Indiana, phone: 317-255-8777 or email: dasommer@trane.com.
|
|
From the Chair
Indianapolis Makes a Move Toward a Greener Horizon
Thirty-six Indianapolis-area expert volunteers brainstormed how best to Green the City County Building on June 9 and 10. The locals were facilitated by representatives of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), with input from the city Office of Sustainability and the Building Authority. RMI served in a similar role for the Greening of the White House in 1993, which was the inspiration for this two-day charrette.
USGBC Indiana was well represented in the group of 36, including three members of our board's Executive Committee, our Communications Chair, and several other members. RMI set the stage for this event by describing their recent upgrade of the Empire State Building. Task group members toured the City County Building and met in several breakout sessions to dig into details of site, energy, materials, indoor air quality and other aspects. One of the final exercises was to use the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance scoresheet to see where this project might fall if executed according to the task group's recommendations (stay tuned for the final report).
For the city, this inexpensive process is a way to formulate a plan of action that may then be used to determine the scope of the project and point to options for phasing and financing. For all the participants, this was an opportunity to network and learn from each other and get to know colleagues in a variety of disciplines and areas of expertise. For everyone, it was an opportunity to learn how to conduct a sustainable design charrette.
Kudos to Mayor Ballard for his vision to make Indianapolis the greenest city in the Midwest and to the City Office of Sustainability for pulling together this charrette. The Greening of the City County Building will be a giant step in that direction.
Bill Brown, AIA, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Chair
 |
USGBC-IN Chapter News
USGBC-IN Chapter Meeting / Monthly Program
Wednesday, June 24th
Join the USGBC-Indiana Board of Directors on Wednesday, June 24 for refreshments, networking and a panel discussion about the direction of green building and the USGBC in Indiana. The Board will also present and discuss the new LEED v3 accreditation and rating system.
Program will be held at the Carmel City Hall - 2nd Floor.
Registration and networking begins at 5:00pm, program begins at 5:30pm.
Space is limited. Please make reservations early.
Date: June 24, 2009 (third Wednesday)
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)
Location: Carmel City Hall
One Civic Sq, 2nd Floor
Carmel, IN 46032
See this location in Google Maps
Register: Click here to register
USGBC Workshop: LEED for Schools Technical Review
Friday, April 24, 2009
Presented by the U.S. Green Building Council, this course is designed to provide a complete review of the LEEDŽ for Schools Rating System™ and how to apply it on school projects including the tools and insights needed to incorporate green building practices into projects. Case studies of certified school projects illustrate successful strategies and practices for improving school design and performance..
Date: April 24, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Michigan Wildlife Conservancy
Bengel Wildlife Center
DeVlieg Conservation Hall
6380 Drumheller Road
Bath, MI 48808
See this location in Google Maps
Cost: Click here to access the event flyer
Register: Click here to register
Ryan Murphy of USGBC Indiana Elected as EGB Representative to the Heartland Regional Council
The result of the election for the Emerging Green Builders Representative to the Heartland Regional Council was recently announced. Congratulations go to Ryan Murphy of the USGBC Indiana Chapter who has been elected to serve as the EGB Representative, and Katherine Darnstadt of the Chicago Chapter selected as alternate.
USGBC Indiana Chapter on LinkedIn
 USGBC-IN has established a group on LinkedIn.
Click here to join.
|
Join USGBC-IN Today!
Join the Indiana Chapter of USGBC today to enjoy the many benefits of membership that help your organization stay competitive, grow your business, and make the best contacts in the green building industry.
Indiana Chapter members receive the following benefits:
- Member-only discounts and networking events - local event fees are discounted for chapter members. Monthly meetings are free!
- Get a fantastic array of green building tools and educational resources.
- Be noticed - membership sets your organization apart.
- Build relationships in the local construction industry.
- Meet, learn and network with other building professionals who share the same passion for green building.
- Benefit from company and individual names being listed in one of the largest directories of green building practitioners and supporters via the USGBC National website and our local chapter homepage.
- Get involved - help build much-needed awareness for green building in Indiana.
- Be recognized as a leader in supporting a better built environment.
- Shape and proactively promote local green initiatives through chapter and committee involvement.
- Vote in local chapter business/issues.
Sign up today and receive a one-year membership for only $50 (less than 14 cents per day)!
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
|
USGBC-IN Branch News
USGBC-IN South Central Branch Program
Wednesday, June 24thPlease
join the South Central Branch for its monthly program, to be held this
month in conjunction with Bloomington Green Drinks. This month, Dan
Killion will offer insight into the field of energy audits. Date: June 24, 2009 Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Upland Brewing Company 350 W. 11th St. Bloomington, IN See location in Google MapsRegister: Free to both USGBC-IN members and non-members. $5 suggested donation to support Green Drinks. Northeast Branch Program: 1st Annual USGBC Indiana Chapter Northeast Branch Golf Outing
Monday, August 24th
The Northeast Branch of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) Indiana Chapter will be holding our 1st Annual Golf Outing on August 24, 2009 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Fort Wayne. The goal of this outing is to raise funds for the Northeast Branch and to promote the benefits of becoming a member of the USGBC. (Rain date is August 31st)
The day's events will include:
- 11:00am open registration, with a shotgun start @ 12:30pm.
- Box lunch w/ drink will be provided. (Beverage carts will be circulating through out the day).
- Buffet dinner featuring BBQ ribs & chicken will follow immediately after golf.
- A brief presentation on the benefits of becoming a member of the USGBC.
- LOTS of give-a-ways and door prizes.
Program information is as follows:
Date: August 24, 2009
Time: Registration begins at 11:00 AM
Location: Coyote Creek Golf Club
4935 Hillegas Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46818
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Varies; see registration
Register: Click here to access the event flyer and
registration information.
Advance reservations is required for this event.
Registration ends July 24th.
Northeast Branch Program: 2010 Sponsorship Drive
Wednesday, September 2nd
The
USGBC-IN Northeast Branch would like to thank their 2010 sponsors in
advance by inviting you to join the Northeast Branch in the A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc. suite to see the Fort Wayne TinCaps versus the Great Lakes Loons!
Date: September 2, 2009
Time: Game begins at 7:05 PM (EST)
Location: Parkview Field
1301 Ewing Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
See location in Google Maps
Register: Click here to access the event flyer.
Snacks, beer, and soft drinks will be provided compliments
of A. Hattersley & Sons, Inc.
|
| Indiana Green Building Events
Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change
September 20 - 23, 2009
 If you enjoyed AASHE2008, you'll want to mark your calendar now for Greening of the Campus VIII. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) will be partnering with Ball State University to bring you this event. The conference has traditionally been held on Ball State's campus, but this year will be in the Indianapolis Convention Center in order to accommodate the growing campus sustainability community.
Greening of the Campus VIII will be held Sept 20 - 23, 2009 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. More information can be found at http://www.bsu.edu/greening/.
Labs21 2009 Annual Conference
September 22 - 24, 2009
Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21) is designed to meet the needs of laboratory and high performance facility designers, engineers, owners, and facility managers. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Labs21 offers professionals worldwide an extraordinary opportunity for information exchange and education with regard to high-performance laboratories and related facilities.
As official co-sponsor of the Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21) Annual Conference and workshops, the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) will facilitate a network of technical capabilities to address global needs while incorporating the Labs21 Approach to sustainable, high performance, and low-energy laboratories.
Please visit I2SL's web site at i2sl.org for the most up-to-date conference and workshop information.
INASLA Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation
October 23, 2009
 The Indiana Chapter of the American Society of
Landscape Architects (INASLA) is putting on their
Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation on
October 23, 2009 at University Place Conference
Center. The theme for this year's event will be
"Strategies in Sustainability: Providing the Tools
to Go Green."
Please visit the INASLA website at inasla.org for
additional information.
|
Emerging Green Builders (EGB) News
 Nominations Now Open!
Submit to become an Executive Committee Officer or Branch Director for 2009-2010!
Current Branch Directors and the Executive Committee will be reviewing self-nominations and making selections in the coming weeks.
Executive Committee:
- EGB Indiana Chair,
- Advocacy Chair,
- Communications Chair,
- Programs Chair,
- Secretary
Branch Directors of:
- Bloomington (including Indiana University),
- Fort Wayne,
- Indianapolis (including area colleges and universities),
- Muncie (including Ball State University),
- Northwest Indiana (including Chicagoland),
- South Bend (including the University of Notre Dame),
- Terre Haute (including Indiana State University),
- West Lafayette (including Purdue University)
All Things EGBPlease visit us at usgbc-in.org/egb for all the latest events, resources, and local branch information.
|
Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Work begins on initiatve to green the city-county building
Source: Sustain Indy, City of Indianapolis
Date Written: 06/12/2009
Thirty-five local professionals comprising the Green CCB Development Team along with experts from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) began work this week on a project to green the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Building (CCB). The initiative announced by Mayor Greg Ballard in April 2009 will involve energy audits and other practices required to retrofit the decades-old CCB, making it more sustainable and generating long-term cost savings.
"This is a significant move toward our goal of transforming an Indianapolis landmark into a sustainable, energy-efficient structure," said Mayor Ballard. "We have a team of talented, local professionals contributing to this effort, and I'm looking forward to seeing the product of their work in the coming months as we begin the process to convert the CCB into a reflection of our commitment to leaner, greener government."
As the first step in this process, the City's Office of Sustainability convened the RMI and the Green CCB Development Team this week for a 2-day design charrette, which included tours of the CCB mechanical and plumbing systems, analysis of the building envelope, and observations of operations and occupant behavior.
"Indy has a wealth of local expertise in the professional design community and there has been a tremendous collaborative effort over the past 2 days to establish ways to green the CCB. The energy efficiency of the building can definitely be improved, and the cost to do so will almost always represent an outstanding return on the initial investment. Not only did our local experts contribute to process of greening the CCB, but they learned from each other and from the Rocky Mountain Institute," said Bill Brown, Director of Sustainability for Indiana University and Chair of the City's Green Commission.
Read more...
IU cuts parking fees for "green" vehicles
Author: WTHR-TV
Source: MSNBC
Date Written: 06/10/2009
Indiana University is cutting parking fees 20 percent for students and employees who drive fuel-efficient cars - a change some staff members feel is unfair to low-paid workers who can't afford such cars.
Hours after IU Parking Operations announced the "green" discount, the local union that represents IU support staff was flooded with mostly negative feedback from staff about the move.
Peter Kaczmarczyk, the president of the Communications Workers of America 4730, said many staff members he heard from consider the discount unfair.
Kaczmarczyk acknowledged the discount isn't cheating anyone because parking permit costs are not going up this year. He said the union will support the stance taken by most of its members.
Read more...
|
| Showcase Your Project on USGBC-IN.org
Register your project today!
USGBC Indiana is in the process of adding in-state LEED certified projects to the website's "Green Projects" showcase. If you would like to submit your LEED certified project,
please visit usgbc-in.org/projects.
|
Author: Gail Vittori
Source: CleanTech
Date Written:
06/11/2009
Reducing our built environment's use of energy is reflected in LEED v3, the newest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system-more so than in any previous version.
Energy use in buildings is paramount to all structures but is especially important in the health care field. Research shows that health care organizations spend over $8.3 billion on energy each year to meet patient needs and that every dollar saved on energy is equivalent to generating new revenues of $20 for hospitals or $10 for medical offices.
Green health care facilities are contributing to a positive bottom-line economic trend-specifically in the areas of improved staff recruitment and retention, reduced patient length of stay, and the preferred facility when patients have a choice. These measurable benefits are important in a competitive health care market where hospitals and other health care facilities compete for the best medical expertise and for patients. They also contribute to a spectrum of community benefits and allow health care facilities to reposition their operations around a mission of health and healing versus taking care of sick people.
The LEED for Health Care system will be released under LEED v3 in the coming months. A critical piece of v3 is the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs), or minimum characteristics that a project must have in order to be eligible for LEED certification.
One of the eight MPRs requires certified projects allow USGBC access to whole building energy and water use data. This data is essential in understanding actual building performance. This data will help inform future development of LEED and with good commissioning, a key component of LEED, ensure that buildings perform as predicted if not better.
Read more...
Author: Wendy Koch
Source:
USA Today
Date Written: 06/02/2009
Michelle Kaufmann couldn't find an affordable, eco-friendly home in the San Francisco area in 2003, so she built her own.
Construction
took 14 months. "This needs to be easier," the architect recalls
thinking. To make green homes more accessible, she says, she "stalked"
factories until she found some that agreed to build her modern designs.
She built dozens of prefabricated homes, including several identical
to her own, each taking four months at 15% less cost. She won an
innovation award this month from the National Association of Home
Builders and became a sort of rock star of sustainability.
Last week, however, she began closing her firm. "We have tons of
work," she says, but her clients can't get financing and two factory
partners went out of business. She will continue her work as a
consultant.
Kaufmann is one of a growing cadre of architects and builders who,
with varying luck, have turned to factories to build green. The homes
range from simple cottages, available for less than $100,000, to
high-end showpieces at $1 million or more. Read more...
|
Get Involved with USGBC-IN
Become a Volunteer Today!
USGBC-IN is looking for motivated
volunteers to assist with several upcoming projects. There has never been a better time to get involved with USGBC. For more details
on upcoming opportunities, please contact
USGBC-IN at info@usgbc-in.org.
|
|
From the Editor
Indiana and the Emerging Green Economy
Long before Van Jones officially "arrived" by appearing on The Colbert Report, the green collar job sector had been emerging.
Earlier this month, the Pew Charitable Trusts released a new report on the emerging green (or clean) energy economy. According to Pew, the number of jobs in the United States' clean energy economy has grown about 2.5 times faster than overall jobs between 1998 and 2007. In what is regarded as the first hard assessment of all 50 states in terms of actual jobs, companies, and venture capital investments related to environmentally friendly products and services, Pew concluded that clean energy jobs (or jobs that are directly related to the production of renewable energy) grew at a national rate of 9.1 percent, while traditional jobs grew by only 3.7 percent between 1998 and 2007.
When viewed through the lens of a national scope, the clean energy economy appears to be on the verge of explosive growth. But what about Indiana, in particular?
In short, Indiana ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack:- Number of clean energy jobs (2007): 13th / 50
- Number of clean energy businesses: 18th / 50
- Venture capital investments (2006-2008): 30th / 50
- Percent job growth: 19th / 50
The stats are endless. Indiana's clean jobs constitute just over 1/2 of one percent of the state's overall job force. When looking at the country's total job market, average annual growth in clean jobs in Indiana between 1998 and 2007 is relatively modest. However, Indiana has a blossoming wind industry (exhibiting the country's fastest growth in wind power generation last year). Interestingly, the Hoosier state is among the shrinking list of those that have yet to establish a renewable portfolio standard.
Pew concludes that every state has a piece of the clean energy economy pie, but moving forward there will be distinct winners and losers. Success likely hinges on the effectiveness of policy makers to act quickly (public policy and an aggressive renewable portfolio a decade ago was integral to the great success of Texas' wind energy industry). Though, if we are looking strictly at the production of green energy, success is also largely dependent on the green resources available in the state. Indiana will probably never out produce Texas in terms of wind energy, but there is definitely money to be made (and jobs to be created). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will likely help bolster efforts related to developing the clean energy economy.
From what I can ascertain, it's quite possible that, despite enormous private-sector support, the shift toward clean energy may not be as quick as many proponents insist. Federal and state policies are a calculated intervention to catalyze the market transition. For a severely coal-dependent state such as Indiana, a carbon cap-and-trade system, a la Waxman-Markey, may prompt painful hikes in energy prices. Conversely, such legislation may spur the state's wind industry tremendously.
I think in theory, most Hoosiers agree that coal-derived energy is dirty. If an economically viable, cleaner alternative is available, we'll gladly take it. The debate really boils down to timing and economics. While there are currently many players in the clean energy game, the winners will soon be chosen. Time will not wait. The question is: Will Indiana choose to do what it takes to become a leader in the emerging green energy economy or will our ambition and potential be left hanging in the wind?
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
|
|
Calendar at a Glance
June
24: USGBC-IN Monthly Meeting / Program Location: Carmel City Hall Carmel, IN 24: USGBC-IN South Central Bracnh Monthly Program Location: Upland Brewing Company Bloomington, IN July
15: USGBC-IN Monthly Program:
Pervious Pavements
Location: Indianapolis, IN
16: USGBC-IN South Central Branch Program:
Ryan Decker of F.A. Wilhelm Construction on
Construction Waste Management
Location: Bloomington, IN
August
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, please log-in to usgbc-in.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Platinum Sponsor
_____________________
Gold Sponsor
_____________________
Silver Sponsors
_____________________
In Kind Sponsors
_____________________
USGBC-IN is supported with a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy Development
.
_____________________
Partner Organization
_____________________
The Indiana Chapter of USGBC
invites you to support the activities of the chapter by becoming a
sponsor. As interest in green building gains momentum in Indiana,
there has never been a better time to become involved with and support
the Chapter.
Through communications, educational programs,
networking events, and advocacy work, we hope to educate and create
awareness of green and sustainable building strategies. Please
consider becoming an annual or program sponsor and joining our effort
for a better built environment.
There are several levels of sponsorships that are available. To receive a Sponsorship Registration Form, please contact Elizabeth C. Ellis, Executive Director..
_____________________
GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK
Let us know how we can improve the USGBC-IN newsletter. Contact Daniel Overbey, Communications Committee Chair.
| |
