Energy And Atmosphere

The Energy and Atmosphere category seeks to

• reduce the energy use of buildings and homes
• use renewable energy sources
• reduce green house gas emission

EPA TargetFinder helps Architects and building owners

• set realistic energy targets
• rate a building design's estimated energy use

Targetfinder also determine EPA's ENERGY STAR rating for buildings.

Targetfinder uses building survey information collected by the federal government.

e.g;CBECS(Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey)

The programs outputs how much energy the average building in the area consumes and how much

a high performance building would consume.

For homes, utility bills serve as a good baseline.

Reduce The Energy Use

• Energy Audit e.g; Audit/Survey suggest some energy is escaping into the atmosphere around the water heater, so the audit may suggest a water heater blanket
• Building Orientation: Use of prevailing winds, daylighting, passive solar and radiant heating etc.
• Site Location
• Building Envelope: An optimal building envelope may provide significant reduction in heating and cooling loads
• Thermal Mass: The thicker the concrete, brick or stone is on exterior, less electricity will be needed to cool building inside. Temperature stays constant inside.
• Lighting design
• Lighting Controls
• Photosensors
• Timers
• Occupancy Sensor
• Advanced Controls

Reduce GreenHouse Gas Emissions
Montreal Protocol 1987 was signed between nations committing to reduce the use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. CFC have worst impact on ozone depletion and global warming, hence they are banned under Montreal Protocol

• Most CFC use and production phased out in 1996
• Some other substances and derivatives in 2010
• and less active HCFCs will phase out in 2030

Refrigerant Properties:	Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)	Global Warming Potential (GWP)
CFCs	1	10720-4680
HCFCs	0.02-0.04	76-1780
Hydrofluorocarbons	0	1320-12240
Natural Refrigerants- Hydrocarbons	0	3
Natural Refrigerants-CO2,NH3,H2O,Air	0	0(except CO2 has 1)