by Ann Withanee — February 2, 2011—More than 30 percent energy savings can be achieved using the recently published 2010 version of Standard 90.1 vs. the 2004 standard, according to an announcement made by ASHRAE at its 2011 Winter Conference, January 21-25.
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, which provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings except low-rise residential buildings, was published in November 2010. ASHRAE was awaiting the final results of analysis work from Pacific Northwest National Laboratories in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program on addenda included in the standard. The final figures were made available recently and were announced at ASHRAE’s annual press breakfast.
On a nationally aggregated level, building type energy savings ranged from 8.8 percent to 38.3 percent and energy cost savings from 7.9 percent to 33.6 percent. These figures include energy use and cost from plug loads.
Extensive analysis work was performed by a team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratories in support of the DOE Building Energy Codes Program. Sixteen different building prototypes were modeled in 17 different climate zones for a total of 272 building types and climate zone combinations.
How was the energy reduction achieved? Here are a few examples:
- The scope was expanded so that 90.1 covers receptacles and process loads, including data centers. This allows future addenda to the standard to address energy consuming equipment and systems previously outside its scope.
- Lighting: Most interior Lighting Power Densities were lowered, and additional occupant sensing controls and mandatory daylighting requirements were added for specific spaces, along with a new five-zone exterior Lighting Power Density table.
- Mechanical: Most equipment efficiencies are higher, energy recovery is required in more applications, economizers are required in more climates, and more energy-conserving controls are required.
- Modeling requirements have been clarified and expanded so that building modelers can more accurately compare energy cost of their building project with an appropriate baseline building as defined by the standard.
- Lighting: Most interior Lighting Power Densities were lowered, and additional occupant sensing controls and mandatory daylighting requirements were added for specific spaces, along with a new five-zone exterior Lighting Power Density table.
“The 90.1 standard is a fluid document,” Mick Schwedler, immediate past chair of the 90.1 committee, said. “As technology evolves, the project committee is continually considering new changes and proposing addenda for public review. The rigorous, open, public review process following ASHRAE and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures, results in a document that is both technically sound and reaches consensus.”
The standard is written in mandatory code language and offers code bodies the opportunity to make a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of new buildings, additions and major renovations.
ASHRAE is an international technical society that 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.
For more information, visit the ASHRAE Web site.
