Relevant Mandates and Rating Systems
| Mandates / Standards | Rating Systems |
|---|
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: New Construction and Modernization
- HVAC systems must be commissioned, and integrative design principles should be employed.
- A 30% reduction in energy use compared to ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for new construction necessitates HVAC best practices and use of energy efficient lighting products.
- Thermal comfort is also addressed, requiring that facilities meet both ASHRAE Standard 55 and either 62.1 or 62.2.
- A moisture control strategy must also be established to prevent building damage and mold contamination.
- Refrigerants must not be ozone-depleting or have high global warming potential (GWP).
Determining Compliance with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings: Existing Buildings
- At least 15% of each agency’s existing building facilities and building leases (above 5,000 gsf) must comply with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings for Existing Buildings by 2025, resulting in the necessity for agencies to upgrade portions of their building stock.
- Building recommissioning must have been performed within two years prior to reporting a building as meeting the Guiding Principles.
- Thermal comfort, ventilation, and moisture requirements are consistent with those for new construction.
Determining Compliance with the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
Executive Order 13834
Executive Order (EO) 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations", directed Federal agencies to pursue "reductions in building energy use and implement energy efficiency measures that reduce costs", and HVAC system upgrades can help meet these goals. The EO 13834 Implementing Instructions provide additional detail on how agency performance on energy reduction will be measured and assessed.
Executive Order 13834 Implementing Instructions
Energy Independence and Security Act (2007)
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.
GPO.gov | Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
Energy Policy Act of 2005
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).
DOE | Energy Policy Act of 2005
National Energy Consumption Policy Act (1978)
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.