Sustainable Facilities Tool

Compliance with the High Performance and Sustainable Buildings (HPSB) Guiding Principles for New Construction, as mandated in EO 13514 and EO 13423, involves incorporating sustainable HVAC strategies. HVAC systems must be commissioned, and integrative design principles should be employed. A 30% reduction in energy use compared to the ANSI, ASHRAE, IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 baseline necessitates lighting best practices. Thermal comfort is also addressed, requiring that facilities meet both ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 and 62.1-2007. A moisture control strategy must also be established to prevent building damage and mold contamination. Refrigerant use must comply with either the Montreal Protocol or Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, or equivalent overall air quality benefits that take into account lifecycle impacts.

http://www.wbdg.org/pdfs/hpsb_guidance.pdf

As mandated in EO 13514, at least 15% of each agency’s existing building facilities and building leases (above 5,000 gsf) must comply with the Guiding Principles by 2015, resulting in the necessity for agencies to upgrade portions of their building stock. Building recommissioning must have been performed within four years prior to reporting a building as meeting the Guiding Principles. Thermal comfort, ventilation, and moisture requirements are consistent with those for new construction.

http://www.wbdg.org/pdfs/hpsb_guidance.pdf

Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

Executive Order (EO) 13514, which expanded upon the energy reduction and environmental performance requirements of EO 13423, specifically involves lighting components in a number of sustainability performance goals it established. Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas reduction goals, including emissions stemming from purchased electricity, were created for fiscal year 2020 on an agency-by-agency basis. Managing existing building systems to reduce their consumption of energy and associated maintenance costs to create sustainable building communities is also laid forth.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/eo13514.pdf

EISA 2007 established energy management goals and requirements, of which a sustainable lighting strategy is necessary, for federal buildings. It established a 30% energy consumption goal per gross square foot of federal space. Efficiency standards for packaged HVAC equipment and electric motors are prescribed.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ140.110

Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management

Executive Order 13423 put into place sustainability goals across the Federal Government that could be partially achievable through lighting system upgrades. Specifically, the EO requires federal agencies to reduce energy intensity by 3% each year, as compared to a Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 baseline, to reach a 30% overall reduction goal by the end of FY 2015. It also required at least 15% of the existing federal capital asset building inventory of each agency to incorporate the sustainable practices, of which HVAC is a key component, by the end of fiscal year 2015.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-374.pdf

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) amends EPAct 1992 and establishes a number of energy management goals for federal facilities involving components of a sustainable lighting system. Each agency is required to incorporate energy efficiency criteria in “all procurements involving energy consuming products and systems.” EPAct 2005 also directs new federal buildings to be designed 30% below the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) or International Energy Code standards. Efficiency must come without sacrifice in performance, and selection of high performance equipment is recommended, with the Act providing guidance on minimum energy efficiency ratios (EERs).

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/epact_2005.pdf

The National Energy Consumption Policy Act (NECPA) serves as the underlying authority for federal energy management goals and has been regularly updated and amended by subsequent policies such as EPAct 1992, EPAct 2005, and EISA 2007. Energy reduction goals are set and amended as new best practices arise.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/necpa_amended.pdf