Friday, April 29, 2011

Association of Energy Engineers - May Meeting

Please join us May 19th at Edmonds Community College where 1) their Facility Director will give us a review of the conservation measures they have implemented at the College and 2) you will learn about all of the continuing education opportunities in energy management & sustainability planning that various colleges offer throughout the Pacific NW. This meeting is being hosted by the students of EdCC's Energy Management courses and will provide all attendees a chance to talk about what is being offered in energy & sustainability, as well as a chance to give feedback into what you would like offered.

For this meeting we are specially inviting all existing students of any college/university by providing this informative dinner-meeting to them for FREE! Local AEE members cost is $20 and non-members is $30.

A full-service taco bar will be provided.

You must pre-register for this event by going to http://www.aeepnwc.com/ and clicking on “Read More”.

When: May 19th, 6:00 PM
Where: Edmonds Community College, Woodway Building, Room 2020

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

ASHRAE - Public Comment on Standard for Existing Buildings

For Release:
April 26, 2011

Contact Jodi Scott
Public Relations
678-539-1140
jscott@ashrae.org

ASHRAE Seeks Public Comment on Standard for Existing Buildings

ATLANTA – To ensure a sustainable future, the greatest opportunity lies in modifying existing buildings. Only 2 percent of construction projects are for new buildings, while 86 percent of construction dollars go into renovation of our existing building stock.

ASHRAE and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) are revising ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 100-2006, Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings, to provide greater guidance and a more comprehensive approach to the retrofit of existing buildings for increased energy efficiency. The standard was first published in 1981, and the need for its requirements has grown as more attention is paid to improving energy in our current building stock.

The standard is open for an advisory public review until May 25, 2011. Visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews for more information.

ASHRAE’s advisory public review process is designed to seek suggestions for new, unusual or potentially controversial elements of a proposed standard that the committee feels would benefit from increased public scrutiny. Unlike ASHRAE’s formal call for public comments process, comments received under advisory public reviews are supportive and do not need to be resolved.

Of the 94.6 quadrillion btu of energy consumed in the United States in 2009, 42 percent was used by commercial and residential buildings. Over the next 24 years, national electric consumption is expected to grow by over 22 percent and natural gas consumption by 16 percent. In the same period, the amount of commercial and residential floor space in the marketplace is expected to increase by 37 percent and 17 percent respectively.

“ In order to offset the growing amount of floor space and subsequent increased energy demands, existing buildings must improve their efficiency, even if every new square foot were built and operated at net zero energy,” Rick Hermans, chair of the Standard 100 committee, said. “ASHRAE and IES are working to make Standard 100 the best source of practical, accurate and cost effective design guidance for existing buildings.”

“Achieving improvements in energy efficiency in existing buildings provides significant rewards in operating savings, conservation of resources and improvements in the environment,” Rita Harrold, IES director of technology, said. “The standard addresses the necessary guidance for a variety of users to develop action plans for their specific needs. Making the standard available for an advisory public review is an important opportunity for contributory comments that will add value to the final document.”

The revised standard provides comprehensive and detailed descriptions of the processes and procedures for the energy efficiency improvements of existing residential and commercial buildings in order to achieve greater energy efficiency.

“Cities like New York, which are constrained in their development due to infrastructure limitations, can use this tool to renovate their existing building stock, freeing up energy for new developments,” ASHRAE Presidential Member Gordon Holness, whose presidential theme focused on energy in existing buildings, said. “Since the standard sets specific energy targets based on building type and climate zone, it can also be used by state and federal agencies and by utility companies as a means of validating building efficiency improvements as a result of tax rebate and incentive programs. Given that 75 to 80 percent of all buildings that will exist in the year 2030, exist today, this rewritten standard gives us a vital resource to fulfill our sustainability goals. President Obama recently announced a series of tax and regulatory changes with a collective goal for a 20 percent reduction in energy use in commercial buildings by the year 2020. That can only be achieved by addressing our existing building stock.”

The standard addresses major and minor modifications for both residential and commercial buildings, single and multiple activity buildings with variable occupancy periods and identifies an energy target for 53 building types in 16 climate zones/sub-zones.

The revised standard also identifies energy efficiency requirements for buildings without energy targets – mostly industrial, agricultural, data centers and special laboratories – and provides multiple levels of compliance.

Recognizing that the type of occupancy, operation and the use of a building plays a key role in its performance, the standard establishes the requirement for developing an energy management plan and an operation and maintenance plan, according to Hermans.

Included within the revised standards is criteria for energy use surveys, auditing, implementation and verification. Appendices are included for life cycle cost analysis procedures as well as identification of potential energy efficiency measures.

“Through this advisory public review, we are seeking broad and general comments on the text of the standard, the concepts of requirements and opinions about the value of the standard,” Hermans said. “Throughout the text there are questions seeking your advice as reviewers of this draft document. Please look at these questions and add your thoughts, answers and comments in the ASHRAE comments database as described in the instructions.”

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Job Posting - Snohomish County PUD

Energy Efficiency Engineer/ Energy Efficiency Program Mgr/Sr. Energy Efficiency Program Mgr*
$70,000 - $107,000*
Job #2011-1515


*Job Title and Salary dependent on qualifications





Develop and implement energy efficiency projects at commercial and industrial customer facilities to achieve the PUD’s conservation goals. Candidate must have demonstrated ability to identify energy efficiency potential, calculate energy savings, coordinate with contractor installations, post-verify energy savings and provide technical support to the implementation of energy conservation and renewable resource measures for commercial and industrial customers. Requires knowledge of energy management engineering principles, standards and methods used to assess the energy loads and savings potential for buildings, as well as field experience with end-use equipment, systems and applications involving HVAC, lighting, controls, and other energy-intensive processes. Program or project management experience is desired.

Experience/Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent work experience; Three (3) years related engineering experience and must have demonstrated the successful accomplishment of work of the nature defined for this job; Valid Washington State Driver's License. Preferred qualifications: Certified Energy Manager.

Interested individuals should complete the online application and submit cover letter and resume at http://www.snopud.com/ under Careers by 5:00 p.m., May 25, 2011. Please Note: Applications and resumes will only be accepted through Snohomish County PUD’s website as we no longer accept paper, faxed, or emailed submissions. We are an EEO employer (M/F/D/V).

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Job Posting - Interface Engineering

At Interface Engineering, Inc., sustainable design is fundamental to our mission. Rooted in a 41-year history of idealism, ecological sensitivity, technical expertise and cost-efficient design, our culture supports engineering consultants and thought leaders who add long-term value as design partners. If you are looking for mind-stretching opportunities that will broaden your own skills, stimulate your imagination, and immerse you in a culture of leading-edge design and environmental sensitivity, this may be the place for you.

We are currently looking for a Mechanical Engineer for our Seattle office whose responsibilities will include systems design, specifications, project management and providing exemplary service to new and existing clients. Qualified candidates should have a BSME and at least 5 years’ experience in a consulting engineering practice specific to HVAC systems for commercial, educational, healthcare, multi-use/residential, and tenant improvement projects or at least 10 years as a designer. Professional Engineering License and LEED Accreditation is preferred and proficiency in CAD and Revit is definitely a plus.

Life at Interface Engineering includes not only working hard, but having fun and enjoying ourselves. Our lively work environment and commitment to excellence have earned us recognition as a top employer by news publications. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package which includes a generous commitment to professional development.

Interested? Email us your resume and let us know at hr@interfaceeng.com. If you’d rather send us your resume, you can do that too: Interface Engineering, Inc., attention: Human Resources, 708 SW 3rd Ave, Suite 400, Portland, OR 97204.

Then, come visit us at: www.interfaceengineering.com. If career growth, challenging work and a culture of fun works for you, you just might like it here. Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA Seattle - On the Marine Edge

AIA Seattle Committe on the Eivronment is offering the following program on sustainable design for maritime projects in the Pacific Northwest:


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

2009 Seattle Energy Code - draft Director's Rule

Attached (actually click on the image below to go to a pdf copy) is a DRAFT of Director's Rule 11-2011, Alternate Means of Compliance to Energy Code Requirements for On-Site Renewable Energy Systems (DR2011-11, 2011-04-20 draft.docx).

  • Please provide any comments to me by 28 April 2011.

Background for Directors Rule 11-2011

  • Chapter 16, On-Site Renewable Energy Systems, of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code was adopted with a condition for implementation. Section 1601 requires that Chapter 16 is to take effect when a Directors Rule is published that provides alternate means of compliance. Section 1631 then contains more specific guidance. (The text from Section 1631 is included at the beginning of the draft Directors Rule.)

  • The draft rule provides two alternate means of compliance.

  • Note that the two alternate means of compliance contained in the attached draft Directors Rule were discussed during the public review last year. Further, CCAB previously endorsed these two alternates as part of the overall 2009 Seattle Energy Code package.
Thanks,
John

John Hogan, AIA, P.E.
LEED Accredited Professional
Seattle Department of Planning & Development (DPD)
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019
(john.hogan@seattle.gov)

voice: 206-386-9145
fax: 206-386-4039

Seattle Energy Code website:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/energy/


Monday, April 18, 2011

LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE

The International Living Building Institute is offering a seminar to help you enhance your awareness of the Living Building Challenge. Click on the image below to access more information and to register for this seminar.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

'Punch List' Archives



2011 Archives

2010 Archives

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2008 Archives
June Volume 43, number 10

2007 Archives
June Volume 42, number 10

2006 Archives

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1997 Archives

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April Membership Meeting

Even though we haven't gotten the Punch List out for April yet, the sign-up for the April meeting has been created. If you just can't wait, and want to sign up now use the following link: http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=218376

Friday, April 1, 2011

President's Message - April 2011

April is Employer Appreciation Month

From program planning to IRS tax filings, Puget Sound Chapter is operated completely by volunteers without paid administrators or bookkeepers. Representatives on the Board of Governors commit to seven years of volunteer service and our dedicated committee chairs often hold positions for multiple years. Much of the work that keeps Puget Sound Chapter running smoothly takes place during normal business hours, accompanied by numerous additional hours outside of the business day.

Puget Sound Chapter would not be where it is today without the tremendous support from employers in the region. This month, the Chapter says “thank you” to the employers of our Board of Governors and Committee Chairs. You have contributed to the Chapter’s success by generously supporting involvement of your employees in “grassroots” local ASHRAE activities. The following companies have supported involvement of their employees on the Board of Governors and/or as committee chairs in 2010-2011:

Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Air Commodities
CDi Engineers
Garrison Engineering
Hargis Engineers
Johnson Barrow, Inc.
McKinstry
Notkin Mechanical Engineers
Proctor Sales, Inc.
Puget Sound Energy
SSA Acoustics
Victaulic
Wood Harbinger, Inc.

ASHRAE is an invaluable resource to those engaged in the field of HVAC&R. In addition to handbooks, standards and numerous reference and training materials, the local chapter provides abundant opportunities for professional networking and training.

Employers, please encourage your ASHRAE members to be actively involved in local chapter activities. Better yet, encourage their involvement on chapter committees or the Board of Governors. You will reap the rewards of expanded networking and leadership development of your employees.

David Landers, P.E.
Chapter President 2010-2011