Importance of energy-saving Standard 90.1

In the economic stimulus package signed into law by US President Barack Obama, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 and its energy-saving features are recognised through special funding measures.

For states to receive additional funding from the $16.8 billion allotted to the Department of Energy and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, governors would be required to work toward implementation of a building energy code at least as stringent as Standard 90.1-2007, and to develop a plan for achieving 90% compliance with the code, including provisions for training and enforcement programmes.

“For more than 30 years, Standard 90.1 has been one of the building industry’s most important benchmarks for energy efficiency,” said ASHRAE president Bill Harrison. “Its inclusion in the economic stimulus package demonstrates not only its importance in the building industry, but the importance and economic potential of saving energy and promoting energy-efficient technologies.”

Standard 90.1 provides minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of buildings in the US, except low-rise residential buildings. Written during the 1970s energy crisis, ASHRAE Standard 90.1 first was published in 1975 as an effort to cut energy use in buildings. The 2004 version of the standard is referenced in the US Energy Policy Act, which requires states to adopt commercial building codes that meet or exceed the standard’s requirements.

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

ASHRAE has set a goal of making the standard 30% more stringent over the 2004 version by the 2010 publication. The stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, focuses on economic stimulus through both tax credits and public-sector spending, with a heavy focus on infrastructure and energy. Several provisions could bring new opportunities to the building sector, including:

• Tax credits for the production of renewable energy are extended until at least 2012;
• Research expenses associated with renewables, conservation and carbon capture and sequestration could result in higher credits in 2009 and 2010;
• The Department of Energy is authorised to provide grants up to 30% of the cost of installation of items such as fuel cells, solar, small wind, geothermal heat pumps and combined heat and power systems;
• The Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy receiving $21.4 billion for research, weatherisation assistance, grants and other programmes;
• The Department of Labour receiving $750 million for job training, with a significant focus on emerging industry sectors, including energy efficiency and renewable energy; and
• Federal agencies are receiving considerable funds for retrofitting and upgrading existing facilities to meet federal energy and water-use requirements, and to alleviate any maintenance backlogs.
 

---