08-05-2010
Tuning into ASHRAE 90.1
I've been lollygagging on studying for my LEED exam so when I heard there was going to be a panel discussing ASHRAE 90.1, which provides a minimum standard of energy use in buildings and their systems (except low-rise residential), I couldn't think of a better way to get back into it. It's kind of like those vegetables you didn't want to eat as a kid; they don't taste so great, but they're good for health.
The lecture, full of facts and charts, elucidated the standard shaping the future of energy efficient buildings. The third of five in the 101: Integration lecture series at the Center for Architecture, ASHRAE 90.1 101 brought together engineers Mike Waite, of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and Fiona Cousins, a principal at Arup, with our own Ilana Judah, who moderated the event, to give an detailed overview of one of our industry's most valuable energy standards.
While giving background on the standard, such as that they were conceived and formalized within two years as a result of the 1973 oil crisis, the lecture surveyed sections 6 through 11, hinted at future changes, and cautioned about common mistakes, such as referencing them too late in the design process, ignoring thermal bridging, or using center-of-glass averages rather than the full light.
Even amidst the inventory of voltage drops, water usage, insulation requirements, orientation rotations, and prescriptive and load calculations the experts answered the audience's questions on interpreting the standards and suggested best practices given various scenarios. One thing absolutely clear is that buildings use over 50% of our energy resources nationally and only a tiny fraction of that is renewable. Thus, ASHRAE 90.1-2010 targets 30% less energy usage than the 2004 version with increased stringency and an expanded scope. Considerations looming further in the future include on-site renewable resources, advancing technologies in glass, and more integration.
However, much sooner than later, expect the new version: ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
by James Way
The lecture, full of facts and charts, elucidated the standard shaping the future of energy efficient buildings. The third of five in the 101: Integration lecture series at the Center for Architecture, ASHRAE 90.1 101 brought together engineers Mike Waite, of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and Fiona Cousins, a principal at Arup, with our own Ilana Judah, who moderated the event, to give an detailed overview of one of our industry's most valuable energy standards.
While giving background on the standard, such as that they were conceived and formalized within two years as a result of the 1973 oil crisis, the lecture surveyed sections 6 through 11, hinted at future changes, and cautioned about common mistakes, such as referencing them too late in the design process, ignoring thermal bridging, or using center-of-glass averages rather than the full light.
Even amidst the inventory of voltage drops, water usage, insulation requirements, orientation rotations, and prescriptive and load calculations the experts answered the audience's questions on interpreting the standards and suggested best practices given various scenarios. One thing absolutely clear is that buildings use over 50% of our energy resources nationally and only a tiny fraction of that is renewable. Thus, ASHRAE 90.1-2010 targets 30% less energy usage than the 2004 version with increased stringency and an expanded scope. Considerations looming further in the future include on-site renewable resources, advancing technologies in glass, and more integration.
However, much sooner than later, expect the new version: ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
by James Way