New Construction

**Energy Star Small Business -- Doing It Right the First Time!**

How to manage the new construction process? A place to start is your
state's energy code requirements. It is important that the designers of
your facility closely follow the criteria outlined by your state's
official Energy Code (based on ASHRAE 90.1 or better). Compliance with
this energy code will enable your facility to meet today's minimum
efficiency standards. Good news for designers, ASHRAE has recently
approved a new 90.1 Standard that puts an even greater emphasis on
energy efficient design! Ask your designers if they are familiar with
the new ASHRAE 90.1-1999.

Some states have taken it upon themselves to enhance the original ASHRAE
90.1 and have made it even stronger. Certain technologies and approaches
(outlined as possible options-not mandatory) in the original ASHRAE 90.1
have become more economically feasible since the standard was published,
and as a result more architects, engineers, and planners are now
designing buildings that go above and beyond today's state mandated
energy codes. Employing technologies such as --geothermal heat pumps,
photovoltaics, LED's, daylighting/occupancy controls, etc, has become
much more common -- and should be analyzed as an investment that can
provide a financial return in facility asset value, as well as in
operations and maintenance savings.

There is a growing number of architectural and engineering firms that
specialize in energy efficient design. Always remember that you have a
say in how architects design your building. Energy Star Small Business
recommends that when evaluating firms, look for those that demonstrate
enthusiasm for energy efficiency design and a willingness to describe
their experience through case studies and business references

The Department of Energy has created a software tool called COMcheck-EZ
(Commercial Energy Code Compliance) which guides designers around the
criteria of your states energy codes. It is a user-friendly tool to
verify that your building is in compliance. The Department of Energy
runs a toll-free number (1-800-270-CODE) and distributes free software
packages. Perhaps the designers of your buildings can utilize this
service.

***Designs and Technologies that Work***

Buildings should be designed from the outside in if you want to properly
size mechanical systems. "Right sizing" your systems begins with the
envelope (structure) and then moves to building systems that serve the
load. Of course load is also dictated by occupant activity, climate, and
internal load characteristics. The following table indicates energy
efficiency technologies to consider when rebuilding your business.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## Technologies                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **2 X 6 Construction:** allows for more insulation                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Reflective Roof**\* <http://eetd.lbl.gov/BT.html>                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Insulation\*** (walls, roof, floor, pipes, ducts) visit --          |
| <http://www.ornl.gov/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_03.html>              |
|                                                                       |
| For correct R-values in your area                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Energy Efficient Windows**\* <http://windows.lbl.gov/>              |
|                                                                       |
| (Double/Triple Pane, Low E, Argon Filled, etc)                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Lighting**: Compact fluorescents, T-8 fluorescent tubes with        |
| electronic ballast, LED exit signs, Metal Halide and Sodium lamps,    |
| occupancy and photo sensor controls. <http://eetd.lbl.gov/btp/lsr/>   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Appliances**: look for the Energy Star logo                         |
|                                                                       |
| <http://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances.html>                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **High Efficiency Heating/Cooling System:** look for the Energy Star  |
| logo - **"**Right Sized" furnace, heat pump, boiler, central A/C,     |
| window units, etc                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| <http://www.epa.gov/appdstar/hvac/index.html>                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### High Ef                                                          |
| ficiency Motors and Variable Speed Drives [**http://www.ase.org/media |
| /techprofile/asd.htm**](http://www.ase.org/media/techprofile/asd.htm) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Programmable Thermostats                                         |
| / Energy Management Systems [**http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheet |
| s/thermo.html**](http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/thermo.html) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Solar Hot                                                        |
|  Water, Faucet Aerators [**http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/so |
| lrwatr.html**](http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/solrwatr.html) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

\* Some designs and technologies are climate dependant, look to your
architect for geographic specific equivalents.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ### Designs                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| ### <http://eande.lbl.gov/R-LabDG/HELP321.htm>                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Solar: Take advantage of the suns nat                            |
| ural rays with optimal window positioning, thermal mass and awnings t |
| o enhance day-lighting, heating, and cooling in your climate region.  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Plan                                                             |
| ned Landscaping: Avoid removing trees during construction except on t |
| he south side if planning a solar building. The shade from trees on t |
| he south and west sides can cut air conditioning costs, and trees on  |
| the north and west side of the building can help block winter winds.  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Xeriscaping: A                                                   |
|  technique of utilizing native, low maintenance plants for landscapin |
| g. Xeriscaping reduces water, pesticide, and fertilizer requirements. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Geothermal: Tap into the earth's stable                          |
| underground temperatures to aid in heating and cooling your building. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| #### Combined Heat and Power: Eliminate your business' nee            |
| d for expensive dirty power by employing on-site generation technolog |
| ies. Fuel cells and micro turbines reach efficiencies approaching 80% |
|  when both the electrical and thermal loads are used by the facility. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

***Software***

##### It is very important that the architect or engineer who is designing your building uses software tools that optimize its energy use. If not, we suggest you ask the designer to use one of the following energy software packages. 

+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ###### So   | ## Web Site                                            |
| ftware Tool |                                                        |
|             | http:                                                  |
|             | //www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/tools_directory/software/ |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Building    | bda.htm                                                |
| Design      |                                                        |
| Advisor     |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Energy      | energysc.htm                                           |
| Scheming    |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Energy-10   | energy10.htm                                           |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### Sol   | solar-5.htm                                            |
| ar-5 (free) |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Blast       | blast.htm                                              |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| DOE-2       | doe-2.htm                                              |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
| ASEAM       | aseam.htm                                              |
| (free)      |                                                        |
+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+

Note: This is not a comprehensive list, see the above Web site for more
software tools

***Resources***

For more information on how your business can save energy through Energy
Star Small Business, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-888 STAR YES
or visit our Web site at www.epa.gov/smallbiz

The following associations are excellent resources in your rebuilding
efforts. Contact one of the below associations for contact information
on exemplary designers in your area.

National Association of Energy Service Professionals:
<http://www.aesp.org/>

American Institute of Architects: <http://www.aiaonline.com/>

Association of Energy Engineers: <http://www.aeecenter.org/>

American Institute of Building Design: <http://www.aibd.org/>

Energy Star Homes:
[http://www.energystar.gov](http://www.energystar.gov/)