Page 232 - Green Building Through Integrated Design

208 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

9 If it’s a small building (under 20,000 square feet), have we considered the use of
the ASHRAE Small Building Design Guide’s prescriptive measures, instead of for-
mal modeling?
10 Have we considered the use of an ENERGY STAR, LEED-compliant roof for this
project? Have we included the energy benefit of this roof in our energy model?
11 If there is process energy use as part of this project, how will it be supplied and
how can it be reduced?
12 If there is considerable use of thermal energy in this project, for example, for water
or pool heating, can it be supplied by a cogeneration or microturbine system?
13 If there is a data center or other source of thermal energy built into this project,
can the waste heat be recaptured for heating during winter for the building?
14 Have we investigated potential use of distributed energy systems such as fuel cells
and gas-fired microturbines?
15 Can the emergency power system be designed so that it provides on-going power
to the building for up to 72 hours, in case of an emergency?
16 How much can we reduce the energy load of the building and not decrease per-
ceived comfort or occupant satisfaction, for example, by designing higher set
points in summer and lower set points in winter?
17 If it was discussed in programming and schematic design, can our engineers assume
a wider “comfort zone,” perhaps 8°F (69°F to 77°F, for example), if we use natural
ventilation strategies or energy savings approaches? Should we include operable
windows or other means for occupants to control interior comfort conditions?
18 Will our tenants be willing to accept such expanded comfort zones (Fig. 11.2)?
Can we write these expectations into the lease or incorporate them into tenant edu-
cation programs?
19 Can we design the HVAC and fire protection systems to be free of HCFCs with
global warming potential (GWP)? Or, can we take advantage of the tradeoff of GWP
with ozone depletion potential (ODP) and still find acceptable HCFC refrigerants?
20 If there is base building refrigeration in the building (e.g., for food service, deli or
restaurant), can we specify HCFC-free refrigeration equipment?
21 Can we recover waste heat from refrigeration equipment for water heating or other
uses? (This is especially appropriate in grocery stores, restaurants, or cafeterias.)
22 Can the building incorporate thermal energy storage systems, either actively or
passively, to reduce peak energy (typically cooling) demands?
23 Have we considered the use of an ice or chilled-water thermal energy storage sys-
tem to reduce peak period electricity demand? Where will it be located? What are
the current economics of peak demand reduction?
24 Have the expected future increases in future electricity pricing been considered in
assessing the economics of various energy-using systems, for example, significant
up-charges for peak-period power demand?
25 Have we considered the impact of possible future “time of day” or “real-time”
energy pricing into our energy models and system choices? Have we provided
submeters and a measurement and verification system that will allow us more
information and control over energy end-uses?