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This report presents the results of the Evidence-based Design and Operations Research Program led by New Buildings Institute from 2008-2013. The program included four technical projects for commercial buildings. This work included the development of feedback tools for designers, operators/owners and tenants as aides to reduce building energy use. Projects also included plug loads, skylight systems and rooftop heating and cooling units.
This report was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
This paper examines the issues related to the energy use category in commercial buildings commonly referred to as Plug Loads and provides recommendations. With a path in codes and programs headed towards Zero Net Energy, plug loads have become a matter of increasing concern, both as a technological challenge and a policy driver.
This report details tasks, findings, and recommendations undertaken for the Enhanced Skylight Modeling and Validation project. The scope involved developing and validating computer simulation alternatives to physical measurements for producing optical daylighting system photometry. Findings indicate that it is possible to use computer simulations to accurately model and produce optical daylighting system photometry information.
This paper was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
This report summarizes the findings for the Rooftop Unit FDD project within the Evidence-based Design and Operation research program. The project goals were to reduce the energy performance degradation in rooftop HVAC units (5-50 tons in size) in California and support the persistence of energy/demand savings from utility-sponsored HVAC service programs and high efficiency unit programs. Key short and longer-term benefits were achieved in this project.
This report was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
This report summarizes the findings for the High Performance Buildings Measured Performance and Key Performance Indicators project within the Evidence-based Design and Operation research program.
This report was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
This report summarizes the findings for the Plug Load Savings Assessment project within the Evidence-based Design and Operation research program.
This report was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
This report summarizes the findings for the Skylight Modeling and Validation project within the Evidence-based Design and Operation research program.
This report was prepared as part of the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.
New Buildings Institute turned 15 years old at the end of 2012. During this time NBI has filled the critical gaps in building science research, turning experience into guidance. This annual report contains highlights of NBI accomplishments during the 2012 fiscal year.
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This guide provides building designers, real estate personnel and utilities with two fundamental ways for expressing energy use characteristics for commercial plug loads; preliminary ranges for high, median, and low calculations; and a summary of references for metering and monitoring equipment and project management. A case study on the PECI office is provided in the appendix.
The language included in the California Title 24-2013 Energy Standards for Non-Residential Buildings requiring certain FDD features in all new rooftop unit heating and cooling equipment of 5-ton capacity or greater starting in 2014.