U.S AMASSeco/VALIDitY consultants Inc.
Incorporating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable green design features into all
Federal buildings has become a top priority inrecent years for facilities managers, designers,
contracting officers, and others in governmentbuildings procurement. These progressive design
strategies have been formalized through ExecutiveOrder 13123 (known as Greening the Government
through Efficient Energy Management), which was issued on June 3, 1999. There are significant opportunities to accomplish the goals set forth in the executive order, whether in new building design
or in the context of renovations. This guide book addresses the first category—the design process
for new Federal facilities. Because energy-efficientbuildings reduce both resource depletion and the
adverse environmental impacts of pollution generatedby energy production, it is often publication, we will be looking at what low-energy considered to be the cornerstone of sustainable design. In this
design means, specific strategies to be considered,when and where to apply these strategies, and how
to evaluate their cost effectiveness.Low-energy building design is not just the result of
applying one or more isolated technologies. Rather,it is an integrated whole-building process that
requires advocacy and action on the part of thedesign team throughout the entire project development
process. The whole-building approach iseasily worth the time and effort, as it can save 30%
or more in energy costs over a conventional buildingdesigned in accordance with Federal Standard
10 CFR 435. Moreover, low-energy design does notnecessarily have to result in increased construction
costs. Indeed, one of the key approaches to low energydesign is to invest in the building’s form and
enclosure (e.g., windows, walls) so that the heating,cooling, and lighting loads are reduced, and in turn,
smaller, less costly heating, ventilating, and airconditioning systems are needed.
In designing low-energy buildings, it is important toappreciate that the underlying purpose of the building
is neither to save—nor use—energy. Rather, the building is there to serve the occupants and their
activities. An understanding of building occupancyand activities can lead to building
designs that not only save energy and reducecosts, but also improve occupant comfort and
workplace performance. As such, low-energy building design is a vital component of sustainable, greemeet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act ofn1992, Executive Order 13123, and other climate design
that also helps Federal property managers change goals.The low-energy design process begins when the
occupants’ needs are assessed and a project budge tis established. The proposed building is carefully
sited and its programmed spaces are carefullyarranged to reduce energy use for heating, cooling,
and lighting. Its heating and cooling loads are minimized by designing standard building elements—
Incorporating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable green design features into all
Federal buildings has become a top priority inrecent years for facilities managers, designers,
contracting officers, and others in governmentbuildings procurement. These progressive design
strategies have been formalized through ExecutiveOrder 13123 (known as Greening the Government
through Efficient Energy Management), which was issued on June 3, 1999. There are significant opportunities to accomplish the goals set forth in the executive order, whether in new building design
or in the context of renovations. This guide book addresses the first category—the design process
for new Federal facilities. Because energy-efficientbuildings reduce both resource depletion and the
adverse environmental impacts of pollution generatedby energy production, it is often publication, we will be looking at what low-energy considered to be the cornerstone of sustainable design. In this
design means, specific strategies to be considered,when and where to apply these strategies, and how
to evaluate their cost effectiveness.Low-energy building design is not just the result of
applying one or more isolated technologies. Rather,it is an integrated whole-building process that
requires advocacy and action on the part of thedesign team throughout the entire project development
process. The whole-building approach iseasily worth the time and effort, as it can save 30%
or more in energy costs over a conventional buildingdesigned in accordance with Federal Standard
10 CFR 435. Moreover, low-energy design does notnecessarily have to result in increased construction
costs. Indeed, one of the key approaches to low energydesign is to invest in the building’s form and
enclosure (e.g., windows, walls) so that the heating,cooling, and lighting loads are reduced, and in turn,
smaller, less costly heating, ventilating, and airconditioning systems are needed.
In designing low-energy buildings, it is important toappreciate that the underlying purpose of the building
is neither to save—nor use—energy. Rather, the building is there to serve the occupants and their
activities. An understanding of building occupancyand activities can lead to building
designs that not only save energy and reducecosts, but also improve occupant comfort and
workplace performance. As such, low-energy building design is a vital component of sustainable, greemeet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act ofn1992, Executive Order 13123, and other climate design
that also helps Federal property managers change goals.The low-energy design process begins when the
occupants’ needs are assessed and a project budge tis established. The proposed building is carefully
sited and its programmed spaces are carefullyarranged to reduce energy use for heating, cooling,
and lighting. Its heating and cooling loads are minimized by designing standard building elements—
windows, walls, and roofs—so that they control,collect, and store the sun’s energy to optimum
advantage. These passive solar design strategiesalso require that particular attention be paid to
building orientation and glazing. Taken together,they form the basis of integrated, whole-building
design. Rounding out the whole-building pictureis the efficient use of mechanical systems, equipment,
and controls. Finally, by incorporating building-integrated per placed by energy-producing technologies. Forotovoltaic s into the facility, someconventional building envelope materials can be
example, photovoltaic s can be integrated intowindow, wall, or roof assemblies, and spandrels
glass, skylights, and roof become both part of thebuilding skin and a source of power generation.
This guidebook has been prepared primarily forFederal energy managers to provide practical information
for applying the principles of low-energy,whole-building design in new Federal buildings.
An important objective of this guidebook is to teachenergy managers how to be advocates for renewable
energy and energy-efficient technologies, and howto apply specific strategies during each phase of a
given project’s time line. These key action items arebroken out by phase and appear in abbreviated
form in this guidebook. Pg 1
advantage. These passive solar design strategiesalso require that particular attention be paid to
building orientation and glazing. Taken together,they form the basis of integrated, whole-building
design. Rounding out the whole-building pictureis the efficient use of mechanical systems, equipment,
and controls. Finally, by incorporating building-integrated per placed by energy-producing technologies. Forotovoltaic s into the facility, someconventional building envelope materials can be
example, photovoltaic s can be integrated intowindow, wall, or roof assemblies, and spandrels
glass, skylights, and roof become both part of thebuilding skin and a source of power generation.
This guidebook has been prepared primarily forFederal energy managers to provide practical information
for applying the principles of low-energy,whole-building design in new Federal buildings.
An important objective of this guidebook is to teachenergy managers how to be advocates for renewable
energy and energy-efficient technologies, and howto apply specific strategies during each phase of a
given project’s time line. These key action items arebroken out by phase and appear in abbreviated
form in this guidebook. Pg 1
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