Energy savings: persuasion and persistence

David A. Eijadi, Tom McDougall, Kris Leaf, Jim Douglas, Jason Steinbock, and Paul Reimer, The Weidt Group
Julia Gauthier, Xcel Energy
Doug Wild and Stephanie Richards McDaniel, BWBR Architects, Inc.

Keywords

verification, installation, energy savings, design guide, case study, commercial buildings, project monitoring

Abstract

In this study, the architects, sponsoring utility and energy simulation specialist joined together to investigate the persistence of energy savings in three completed projects: a college library; a municipal transportation facility; and a hospital. The primary question being "How well did the design decisions made with the help of simulation analysis translate into building operations over several years?"

Design simulation and metered performance data are compared for specific energy-saving strategies. The paper provides a brief overview of the basis of selection of the three projects, the energy design assistance methods employed and the decisions made, along with their savings expectations. For each case, design characteristics, modelling assumptions, selected strategies and actual metered performance are outlined. We find evidence of appropriate levels of energy conservation, but they are not the absolute values predicted. In each case, the discrepancies between modelling assumptions and final construction or operating procedures are identified, examined and rectified. The paper illustrates that while owners are saving energy, they are not always getting the full savings potential for what they install.

The paper concludes with a re-examination of the overall process. It evaluates the potential for additional savings of individual technologies and related larger utility incentives to design teams and building owners.