ASHRAE - News Release:

Changes to Fan Efficiency Requirements Proposed for ASHRAE, IES Energy Standard

For Release:
June 23, 2011

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

Changes to Fan Efficiency Requirements Proposed for ASHRAE, IES Energy Standard

ATLANTA – A proposed change to ASHRAE and IES’s energy standard currently open for public input would encourage advancement of efficient fan design.

Proposed addendum u to ASNI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, would add a reference to the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International’s Standard 205-10, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. This would require fan efficiency requirements to be classified based on fan efficiency grades.

“Currently, the standard only regulates fan power at the system design level,” Ned Heminger, chair of the Standard 90.1’s Mechanical Subcommittee, said. “In other words, the amount of fan power allowed in a system is based on the system maximum airflow rate. However, the standard does not set requirements for the manufacturers of fans. As a result, there is a wide range of fan efficiencies available on the market. When the current prescriptive requirements were set for fan power, the fan efficiency chosen was achievable by most fans currently available at the time. Developing a fan efficiency metric that applies to the manufacturing of fans will encourage the advancement of efficient fan design. As fan efficiency increases, fan power needs decrease. This allows the standard to improve on the fan power limits in the future. The proposed addendum has set the initial efficiency bar at a level that is achieved by most fans, with assistance from ASHRAE technical committee 5.1, Fan Design and Application. The intention is to work with TC 5.1 to increase the efficiency requirements for fans in future versions of the standard.”

He also noted that the proposed addendum was issued utilizing ASHRAE’s advisory public review option available to solicit feedback from the industry. This was done at the recommendation of committee members to better understand the impact to the industry as the standard is proposing compliance with a new certification standard. The committee recognizes the importance of constructive feedback from the industry and looks forward to hearing their suggestions. Unlike comments received through ASHRAE’s formal call for public comments process, comments received on advisory public reviews are considered opportunities for constructive input from interested and materially affected parties into the development of proposed language that will be issued for official public review and need not be resolved or formally acted on by the project committee.

Addendum u is open for advisory public review until July 10, 2011, along with five other proposed addenda open for public review. Nine proposed addenda to the standard are open for public review until July 25, 2011. For more information, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

Other addenda out for review until July 10, 2011 are:
• Addendum l fixes a mistake in Section 6.5.3.1.2 for fan brake horsepower methodology.
• Addendum n clarifies that the total lumens/Watt for the entire elevator cab is being required to meet the efficiency requirement, but that it is not required that each individual light source must comply.
• Addendum o updates the fenestration air leakage provisions to clarify the requirements for glazed sectional garage doors. A new definition for sectional garage doors is also added.
• Addendum s – Large amounts of fan energy can be wasted when zones report incorrect information to the control system, which causes the supply fan speed to increase, often to maximum speed. This addendum requires additional safeguards to prevent this, and for non-DDC systems requires location of sensors in locations that do not require high setpoints.
• Addendum t corrects the reference to the proper section for damper leakage in 6.5.1.1.4 (Dampers). This addendum also clarifies that the damper leakage requirements in 6.4.3.4.3 (Damper Leakage) and as defined in Table 6.4.3.4.3 (Maximum damper leakage) applies to the return air dampers used in economizers.
Addenda out for public review until July 25, 2011 are:
• Addendum a updates the test procedure references for product information in the Tables in Section 10.8 (product information), and also adds a normative reference in Chapter 12. This will make the table references more consistent with other equipment tables (and other test procedure references).
• Addendum cj modifies Appendix G (Performance Rating Method) to change the requirements for economizers and how they are modeled in computer rooms.
• Addendum m adds power density and control requirements to capture additional savings; adds a needed exemption for practical application, includes submittal requirements; and changes control credits to apply only to lamps in multi-lamp fixtures that are controlled.
• Addendum q updates the ASHRAE dynamic glazing definition to match the National Fenestration Rating Council dynamic glazing definition.
• Addendum r clarifies the intent of the committee and relocates all wording related to thermostat and humidity schedules to the Schedules section of Table G3.1 for greater ease of use.
• Addendum v requires that the controlled receptacles be appropriately identified so that users can clearly distinguish between controlled and non-controlled receptacles.
• Addendum w clarifies the credits for renewable energy and purchased energy in Section 11 (Energy Cost Budget Method) and Appendix G (Performance Rating Method).

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

Job Posting - City of Seattle

Job Title: Energy Code and Conservation Advisor (SA 2 - E&PR)
Job Number: 335531
Salary: $35.38 - $53.07 Hourly
Location: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, Washington
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Shift: Day
Department: Department of Planning and Development
Bargaining Unit: Not represented
Closing Date/Time: Tue. 07/19/11 4:00 PM Pacific Time

Position Description:
The Department of Planning and Development is seeking candidates for a position as one of the city’s expert advisors on building energy conservation, focusing on energy and building codes. This position will report directly to the Manager of Emergency Response and Code Development Section.

Job Responsibilities:
Seattle has been a regional and national leader in energy conservation and environmental stewardship for many years. This position serves as an expert advisor on building energy conservation, and is essential to Seattle’s energy conservation programs. The Energy Code and Conservation Advisor is responsible for maintaining the Seattle Energy Code. In addition, this position will participate in development of state and national codes and standards consistent with the city’s energy conservation policies. This position requires a person with experience, expertise and communication skills to represent Seattle effectively in high-level policy-making and intensely technical code-drafting situations.

· Develop and implement the Seattle Energy Code
· Develop Energy Code rules, information materials, and training
· Serve as resource for review of complex building permit applications
· Develop policies and recommendations to increase energy conservation in private and public buildings
· Represent the city and advocate for city energy conservation policies in local, state, regional and national venues
· Work with others from the region on developing energy conservation code change proposals for the Washington and International Code Council energy conservation codes
· Serve as a City Liaison with organizations such as ASHRAE, US Green Building Council, US Dept of Energy, and local chapters of AIA, ASHRAE and IESNA.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with a breadth of experience in engineering, architecture, building construction technology or a related field. Technical expertise in codes and code development processes including at least three years of professional code development experience, and experience in national code development activity and five or more years experience with energy conservation codes. Knowledge of building construction and systems, including fenestration products, and heating and ventilation systems. The ability to explain technical code provisions to varied public and private stakeholders. Ability to operate on the frontier of codes and to reach out to other organizations to develop and implement code changes. Superb attention to detail and the ability to produce high quality work and to manage priorities while meeting deadlines. Experience acting as a technical expert on energy code issues, and developing recommendations for senior management on policy options and program direction. Some travel is required.

Additional Information:
Must be creative and possess a high degree of experience and expertise in a range of topics such as sustainability, energy, and code development. Excellent public speaking and writing skills and the ability to work in complex multi-party, multi-media environments are also desirable.

Go to City of Seattle Career Center to Access this job posting: http://www.seattle.gov/personnel/employment/default_neogov.asp

Visit www.seattle.gov/dpd

ASHRAE - HVAC Design Essentials Workshop

Dear ASHRAE member:

You know who the “rising stars” are in your company. They are the engineers who show great promise, potential, interest and vigor in the HVAC industry. But how can you help them grow as leaders in your organization?

One way is through ASHRAE’s HVAC Design Essentials Workshop. Back by popular demand, this 3-day workshop provides intensive, practical training for professionals involved in the design, engineering, project coordination, and delivery of HVAC services and products. Participants will gain information and skills they can implement immediately in their jobs.
The workshop provides real-world examples of HVAC systems design including calculations of heating and cooling loads, system selection, basic design of hydronic and air systems, and much more. Participants will also network with industry leaders and ASHRAE Members from a variety of backgrounds and industry sectors. They will develop knowledgeable contacts to help them in their current positions.

The workshop takes place August 15-17, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, and seats are limited. The newly renovated ASHRAE Headquarters will be used as a “living laboratory” during the workshop, allowing participants to see the actual plans and operations of a high performance building.

You can take advantage of this fantastic opportunity by sponsoring one or more of your employees to attend the workshop. Your gift of “recognition” will be returned to you in the form of a well-trained staff member. What a great investment in the growth of your company!

Please forward this information to anyone else who might be interested.

If you have questions or would like more details about the workshop, visit www.ashrae.org/hvacdesign or send an email to learninginstitute@ashrae.org.

Best regards,

Filza H. Walters
Chair, Professional Development Committee







ASHRAE
Advancing HVAC&R to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world
1791 Tullie Circle, NE • Atlanta, Georgia • 30329 • http://www.ashrae.org/ • Privacy Policy.

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DOE - Case Studies

DOE Releases Five New Case Studies of Innovation in Energy Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the release of five case studies from a series spotlighting some of the most innovative projects funded under the Department's BetterBuildings program. BetterBuildings is a national program that is working to transform the marketplace for energy efficiency upgrades in homes, businesses, and institutions. More than 40 state and local governments and partnering organizations received over $500 million to lay the foundation for a sustainable energy efficiency market in the United States. The case studies will help program administrators and their partners develop and optimize energy efficiency programs to help consumers and businesses save money and reduce their energy use by making affordable energy-saving improvements.

For information on these five case studies, visit http://1.usa.gov/lZrjQW.

The link below is for the Seattle case studies.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/betterbuildings/cs_seattle_gettingstarted.pdf

YOU ARE INVITED!

"The Living Building: Tacoma's Next Challenge" is the topic of a dinner meeting panel of Living Building experts held at the Center for Urban Waters on July 20, 2011. The Cascadia Green Building Council, Tacoma/Olympia branch, is holding a joint event with the Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to explore the possibility of what a Living Building in Tacoma/Pierce County might look like and what is involved. The panel will introduce the recently completed Living Science Building at the Bertschi School in Seattle along with other project examples and discuss what challenges were involved in design, construction and agency approvals. Be prepared to learn how regenerative buildings can be built in our own community. See the attached announcement.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 5:30 - 8:30
Center for Urban Waters
326 East D Street (on the east side of the Foss Waterway) in Tacoma
cost: $45 dinner and presentation

registration at http://livingbuildingstacoma.eventbrite.com

more information at http://cascadiagbc.org/events/2011/july/the-living-building-tacomas-next-challenge/view

Les Gerstmann, AIA, LEEDAP, cSBA
Cascadia Green Building Council, Tacoma/Olympia Branch
Past Chair
Associate
BLRB architects
1250 Pacific Avenue, Suite 700
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-627-5599

Letter from Lynn Bellenger, ASHRAE President

Dear ASHRAE Members:

Today building owners and occupants are demanding that their buildings provide better performance than has been delivered in the past. Government and private owners have mandated that new buildings and building retrofits be designed, constructed, tested, commissioned and operated to a high performance standard. To date, the industry has not been able to consistently deliver on this mandate. This situation creates a unique opportunity for our organization to provide a solution that will successfully deliver on this high performance building mandate.

Over the last two years, ASHRAE has worked to address the needs of the industry and deliver high performance buildings; simultaneously, the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB – www.nebb.org) was conducting the same investigation for delivering high performance buildings. In 2010, ASHRAE and NEBB began discussions to determine if collaboration between the two associations could provide a solution to delivering high performance buildings by influencing the design, construction, testing, commissioning and operations of buildings to a high performance standard as a normal building delivery process.

Through these discussions, the NEBB Board of Directors and the ASHRAE Board of Directors have determined the following:
• NEBB is a premier international certification association for firms that deliver high performance building systems. NEBB brings unique strengths to the building performance discipline.ASHRAE is a world leader in the arts and science of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration and promotes high performance buildings through standards, guidelines, design manuals, and educational courses. ASHRAE brings unique strengths to the building performance discipline.
• ASHRAE and NEBB believe that building performance is evolving as a new standard by which our industry will be measured in the future.
• ASHRAE and NEBB believe that combining their strengths would produce an approach to building performance that would be far superior to any that could be produced by their individual efforts.

Our discussions have centered upon consolidating the organizations in a way that creates a separate organization under the ASHRAE umbrella that concentrates upon performance of the built environment and the associated education, training and certifications for building performance professionals. This organization would encompass all activities that provide the end performance desired by the industry, including design, construction, testing, commissioning, operation and ongoing performance verification. The organization could also align with other industry groups that have similar goals, and ultimately create a significantly enhanced resource for those that seek to deliver high performance buildings.

Accordingly, on May 10, 2011, President Bill Neudorfer of NEBB and I formed negotiating teams to determine if a consensus can be achieved on consolidating the two organizations. The opportunities that exist for the consolidated organization are immense. At the same time, much needs to be done to ensure that any consolidation would optimize the strengths of the two organizations. We value your input on the process and assure you that the negotiation process will be fair, thorough and transparent.

As talks continue between the two organizations, it is expected that more information will be available on ASHRAE.org outlining any consolidation proposals. As an ASHRAE member, you are encouraged to send your comments and questions to ashrae.nebb@ashrae.org (or simply reply to this email). President Neudorfer is also reaching out to the NEBB membership to seek their thoughts through a letter similar to this one.

Personal regards,

Lynn G. Bellenger
2010-11 ASHRAE President