NBI News October 2009
In This Issue
DOE signs on to comprehensive IECC proposal
Advanced Buildings gains two new sponsors
Manufacturer's gather to improve office efficiency
NBI researches advanced metering options
Guidance on rooftop AC equipment offered to utility groups
Western Cooling Challenge honors Coolerado unit
NBI Collaborates on Cascadia's Living Building Financial Study
DOE signs on to comprehensive IECC proposal
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has joined New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in proposing comprehensive changes to a national model energy code for new commercial buildings, the Internati
onal Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The changes would create buildings that are about 25% more energy efficient than what today's average standards require. The group submitted the proposal for consideration under the current code development process, which will be finalized in May 2010.
The proposed high efficiency energy code is significantly based on NBI's Core Performance® protocol, a direct and prescriptive approach to achieving energy savings in commercial buildings, and also includes multiple DOE-supported efficiency measures to ensure maximum energy savings. The agency's participation furthers its ongoing efforts to support increased usability of the IECC and improve the energy savings potential of the code as it relates to commercial buildings.
NBI has also been working under a grant from the Energy Foundation to support localities in implementing advanced energy codes. A "stretch" building code based on Core Performance has already been adopted by the State of Massachusetts (see June newsletter story) and is under consideration by other states and municipalities.
Advanced Buildings gains two new sponsors
The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) and Efficiency New Brunswick are the newest sponsors of Advanced Buildings, NBI's suite of tools and resources to help designers create better performing buildings. Both public benefits administrators will offer financial incentives and technical assistance on projects that apply the Core Performance protocol. Core Performance is the cornerstone of Advanced Buildings and provides a direct, prescriptive path for design teams that want to create high performance buildings.
Utilities and public benefits administrators around North America offer Advanced Buildings Core Performance as part of their energy efficiency program offerings for new commercial construction.
Manufacturer's gather to improve office efficiency
Over 35 product manufacturers came to Chicago in late July to learn more about the Advanced Energy Office, a multi-utility sponsored incentive program being developed by the Office of the Future (OTF)Consortium. The group includes utilities across the U.S. and from Canada that are working together to reduce energy use in commercial office space. New Buildings Institute is the program and fiscal manager for OTF. 
The goal of the Advanced Energy Office is to create an office environment that better serves tenant/occupant needs while reducing energy costs, enhancing property values and delivering a reduced carbon footprint. The program reduces energy used by lighting, plug loads and HVAC systems using an integrated design approach that also improves lighting quality and heating and cooling performance.
To ensure that the prescriptive technical measures will achieve the anticipated energy savings, NBI is currently developing an Advanced Energy Office pilot program. Each of the eight utility sponsors will conduct up to three pilot projects targeting owners or tenants of occupied office space. Manufacturers attending the Chicago meeting were interested in participating in the pilot projects, which are scheduled for completion in early 2010.
NBI researches advanced metering options
Building owners, designers, efficiency program managers and energy service consultants all need reliable, easy-to-understand access to building energy usage information in order to improve performance. NBI recently researched trends and new technologies in advanced metering as used in energy information systems (EIS) under a project for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
An advanced meter provides short interval measurements and can be read remotely. "EIS" refers to a feedback system where advanced meters, remote database storage, and software tools are employed to monitor and maintain energy performance in a building, providing immediate information without the wait for utility bills.
NBI's research found that advanced metering and EIS hardware are well developed, and current technology is well suited to basic performance monitoring and benchmarking. However, more emphasis should be placed on facilitating smart metering implementation for accessible, usable feedback on building energy performance for owners, program sponsors, and policymakers. Read the complete paper for a discussion of drivers and impediments, and what actions can be taken to increase the potential for achieving that objective.
Guidance on rooftop AC equipment offered to utility groups
Based on research from the NBI-led Rooftop Savings Research Group, recommendations on the use of a new Honeywell economizer controller sensor have been made to various utility groups. Problems with the sensor were discovered by researchers during equipment field testing.
The old sensor (C7650) has a 6-10 degree Fahrenheit "deadband" that can lead to limiting economizer use in certain temperature, control, and operating conditions. The new sensor (C7660) has only a two-degree deadband and can be retrofitted in the field.
In addition to providing energy savings, the new sensor increases proper economizer setting by installers and improves digital accuracy. The new sensors are currently being installed in a large-savings measurement pilot. NBI is recommending that Western utilities add a performance specification to their high efficiency HVAC unit programs requiring that the economizer controller sensor have a deadband no greater than 2°F in order to encourage manufacturers to begin installing the new sensor.
Western Cooling Challenge honors Coolerado unit
As one of the early initiators of the Western Cooling Challenge, we were thrilled to see a product that NBI field tested named a winner in that competition. The Coolerado air conditioner uses a form of indirect evaporative cooling ideally suited for the hot and arid environments of the west, which promises to save customers over 50% on cooling bills. 
Initial results of the NBI-managed field tests indicated some problems with the Coolerado heat exchangers, tested under the name Desert Coolaire. Coolerado, the core manufacturer, addressed the issues and is offering an improved product.
"Coolerado's entry in the Western Cooling Challenge was the first to take our rigorous tests at the Advanced HVAC Lab at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.," said Mark Modera, director of the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center.
Launched in June 2008 by UC Davis, the Western Cooling Challenge encourages cooling-unit manufacturers to deliver more energy-efficient products, and helps building owners install and use those products in their new and existing low-rise, nonresidential buildings (such as suburban retail and office buildings).
NBI Collaborates on Living Building Financial Study
A recent study commissioned by the Cascadia Green Building Council attempts to understand the cost premium and payback of building a Living Building. For answers, a team led by SERA Architects and joined by Skanska USA Building, Gerding/Edlen Development, Interface Engineering and NBI, worked to conceptually transform nine existing LEED Gold buildings into Living Buildings. These nine buildings range in type from residential to commercial and institutional and are analyzed in four different cities and climate zones.
The study found that the degree of cost effectiveness for building Living Buildings is contingent on four factors including: client, climate, scale, and building use. The overall economic competitiveness of Living Buildings is further determined by the two additional factors: the availability of incentives, and cost of energy and water. Given the rising costs of energy and water the study determined that Living Buildings can be built cost effectively in today's market-driven economy.
The report and Executive Summary can be found at http://www.ilbi.org/resources/research/financial-study/financial-study.
NBI welcomes new staff
Amy Cortese has joined NBI staff as a Senior Project Manager. Formerly a Sustainability Coordinator with ZGF Architects in Portland, Amy brings a strong understanding of green building, energy-efficient design and LEED to the NBI team. Amy has also worked as a Project Manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance where she oversaw aspects of the BetterBricks program including professional training and the Integrated Design Labs. She currently serves on the Planning and Sustainability Cabinet for Portland Mayor Sam Adams. Amy is a LEED Accredited Professional with specialty in Design and Construction.
Giorgina Castillo came to Portland from Venezuela in 2008 to earn a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Portland State University. In her second year, Giorgina is focusing her research on evaporative cooling and green roofs and brings a keen interest in alternative systems to her work here at NBI. She will be supporting our efforts in measuring the performance of buildings and advancing HVAC technologies.
NBI in the news
Below are some of the recent news publications featuring NBI staff or programs.
"Some Buildings Not Living Up to Green Label," New York Times, 8/30/09
"The Missing Link," Sustainable Industries Journal, 7/27/09
"Washington State Takes the Building Code Challenge," Alliance to Save Energy news
To catch up on earlier news, check out our previous newsletters.