United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
6202J
EPA 430-F-93-048
November 1993
8-EPA
Energy Star Buildings
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Star Showcase Buildings
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The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA) promotes energy
efficiency because
electricity generation
contributes to air pollu-
tion, including 35 per-
cent of all U.S.
emissions of carbon
dioxide. It also
accounts for 75 percent
and 38 percent of all
U.S. emissions of sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen
oxides, respectively. By
using more energy-effi-
cient equipment in our
homes, offices, and
factories, we can
reduce this pollution—
while saving money!
What Is the Showcase Buildings Program?
As part of its market-dri-
ven, nonregulatory Energy
Star Buildings program, EPA'
is working to identify 20 to 30
buildings nationwide to
"showcase" comprehensive
energy-efficient upgrades.
Showcase Building owners
will work closely with EPA to
demonstrate an upgrade
process that maximizes
energy savings througn the
appropriate use and sizing of
energy-efficient heating, ven-
tilating, and air-conditioning
systems and other related
building efficiency measures.
The Showcase Buildings mi-
How Can It Make a Difference?
Each year, about $70 bil-
lion is spent to operate com-
mercial ana industrial
buildings in the United
I States. Fortunately, there is
an array of roadily available.
energy-efficient technologies
on the market that can prof-
itably cut this energy use bv
more than 40 percent. That's
$28 billion annually that can
be reinvested in the economy
. ;•
How Much Can I Save?
$2.12
I
$1.80
$1.67
51.50
S1.32
51.21
iiiiiii
native will demonstrate the
potential pollution prevention
of cutting-edge, energy-effi-
cient technologies, paving
the way for a broader Energy
Star Buildings program to be
marketed nationwide
rather than wasted on
unnecessary electricity use
Moreover, less electricity use
means cleaner air!
Baseline Stage 1 Stage« Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5
Costs will fall and
energy savings will rise
as each stage of the
Showcase Buildings ini-
tiative is completed.
(Data are based on the
Energy Star Buildings
upgrade of a 100.000-
square-foot office build-
ing in Washington, DC.)
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Savings Example:
Variable Speed Drives
Variable speed drives (VSDs) con-
trol fan and pump motor speeds
precisely, greatly improving the
efficiency of HVAC systems. EPA
recently completed a Variable
Speed Drive Demonstration
Study, in which EPA and a group
of nine Green Lights Partners con-
ducted a series of tests on exist-
ing installations of variable-
speed-drive controls on HVAC fan
systems. The purpose of these
tests, which were held in several
U.S. locations, was to monitor the
energy savings relative to
mechanical inlet-vane airflow
controls. In most cases, the
observed savings were signifi-
cant, averaging 53 percent. In
general, VSDs are expected to
save from 30 to 60 percent in
retrofit applications on existing
variable-air-volume systems.
Energy Star Showcase Buildings
Over the next 2 /ears, EPA will worK
closely with a group of 20 to 30 Green
Lights Partners to complete comprehen-
sive and accelerated single-building effi-
i ciency upgrades. These Showcase
Buildings will demonstrate that the com-
; How Does EPA Help?
In addition to publicly recognizing an
organization for its participation in the
program and thefinergy savings it
achieves, EPA provides a number of
technical resources to help plan and
implement building upgrades. These
resources include:
The Building Retrofit Manual, a
step-by-step guide to a comprehen-
sive commercial building upgrade.
! Software to calculate savings from
upgraded fan systems.
A data base of financing programs
for building-efficiency upgrades.
! How Do I Join?
To participate in the Energy Star
Buildings program, organizations must
first agree to join EPA's Green Lights pro-
gram, committing to identify and imple-
ment 90 percent of profitable lighting
upgrades in their commercial and indus-
trial space within 5 years. EPA offers its
Partners extensive technical, organiza-
tional, and publicity support for lighting
upgrades.
Green Lights Partners may become
full Partners in the Energy Star Buildings
program by signing an addendum to
their existing Green Lights Memoran-
dum of Understanding (MOU). As Energy
Star Buildings Partners, they are
expected to survey all owned U.S. com-
5 mercial building space to identify prof-
prehensive Energy Star Buildings strat-
egy works to maximize energy savings
at a profit. Furthermore, the Energy Star
Showcase Building projects will offer an
opportunity to field-test and refine EPA's
technical support materials.
Case studies documenting moni-
tored savings for specific technolo-
gies (such as variable speed drives
or fan motors).
Generic specifications for specific
energy-efficient technologies
Information and guidance on indoor
air quality issues.
Guidance on how to use the CFC
phaseout as an opportunity to
increase building efficiency and
reduce the cost of the transition to
acceptable alternative refrigerants.
itable eff iciency upgrades (rate of return
greater than prime rate plus 6 percent),
and to complete 90 percent of all prof-
itable upgrades within 7 years.
IM MUIITIDI rUUHTII
For more informa-
tion about the
Energy Star Build-
ings program and the Green Lights
program, please contact:
Manager
Energy Star/Green Lights
l|S.EPA(6202J)
Washington, DC 20460
fax: 202 775-6680
Or call: 202 775-6650
For more information by fax
(available 24 hours a day), call.
202233-9659.
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