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Making a Case for Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings: New Industry Publication ATLANTA Improving energy use all comes down to green the green of energy efficiency and resource sustainability as well as the green of money.
So, show them the money. Building owners and managers of existing buildings need to understand the economic benefits of improving systems and operations. A new publication from leading industry organizations provides guidance for the business case to achieve energy savings as much as 30 percent. Energy Efficiency Guide for Existing Commercial Buildings: The Business Case for Building Owners and Managers provides the rationale for making economic decisions related to improving and sustaining energy efficiency in existing buildings. Approximately 86 percent of U.S. annual building construction expenditures relate to renovation of existing buildings vs. new construction. Our goal is to enable business owners to break down the mystery of energy conservation opportunities into business-based scenarios that are both practical and cost-justifiable, said George Jackins, who chaired the committee overseeing the book. To achieve true sustainability in the building industry, we must help owners learn that investing in energy efficiency translates into a high rate of return with a low associated risk. Owners and managers typically view buildings in terms of short-term economics. We must make the transition from best value vs. lowest first cost of buildings. Specifically, the guide provides straight-forward applications that could produce energy savings from 10 to 15 percent to a more aggressive approach that could save 30 percent or more.
The book is a collaboration between ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects, the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. General Services Administration and the U.S. Green Building Council.
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