Making Buildings A Greener Shade of Green

The Green Building Subcommittee of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defines green buildings as "structures that are designed, constructed, renovated, operated and reused in an environmentally and energy efficient manner." Two of the major systems offering opportunities to make buildings greener are lighting and mechanical systems.

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute in Snowmass, Colorado, lighting accounts for over half the electricity consumption in a typical large office building. Not only does lighting consume energy directly, but the heat generated by lighting systems comprises much of a building's cooling load.

Seeing the Light
The institute says upgrading fluorescent lighting fixtures can reduce a lighting system's energy consumption by as much as 70 to 90 percent in some cases. Upgrades include switching from standard "cool white" T12 bulbs to the more efficient T8 design, and use of electronic ballasts, improved reflectors and occupancy controls.

The EPA sponsors extensive green programs, including one called Green Lights which promotes energy-efficient lighting. Its 2000-plus participating corporate and nonprofit organizations represent more than 5 billion square feet of office space nationwide. Participants report reductions in energy use for lighting of 50% on average, and an internal rate of return of 40% on their investments in improved lighting systems. Since 1991 the program has also reduced harmful pollutants by 3.4 billion pounds

Energy Star Buildings
The EPAs Energy Star Buildings program rounds out Green Lights with four additional programs: Building Tune-Up, Load Reductions, HVAC Distribution System Upgrades, and HVAC Plant Upgrades. Participants in the full program can expect to save between $.50 and $1.50 per square foot in operating costs per year. Internal rates of return range from 17% to 50%.

HVAC system manufacturers have developed products architects and builders can use to improve environmental and energy performance. Chiller manufacturers, for example, have responded to the phaseout of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants with systems that use alternatives such as HFC134a. CFCs produce greenhouse gases which have been linked to ozone depletion. For the 110,000-plus CFC-based chillers still in use, manufacturers offer a broad range of refrigerant management, reclamation and recycling products.

For more information about the Energy Star Programs, call: (202) 775-6650 or Fax: (202) 775-6680.

Adapted from an article in Skylines, January 1995 by Rick Fedrizzi, Director of Environmental Marketing, Carrier Corp. ad Chairman of the U.S. Green building Council.