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Session 2633

Energy Conservation in Existing Commercial Buildings

Saeed D. Foroudastan,. Katherine Mathis, Ahad S. Nasab, Linda Hardymon Middle Tennessee State University

Abstract

Old, outdated buildings with inefficient electrical and mechanical systems pose a problem for owners because of the expense of turning them into energy conserving, healthy, and regulation compliant facilities. The technology is available to make the needed improvements, but financing is usually a problem. The answer to those facing the expense of making improvements that can slow the rapid demise of our natural resources and reduce energy usage is Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). ESPC is an option for funding infrastructure improvement projects to improve building performance and maintenance rather than wasting dollars on cosmetic changes or improvements that do not solve energy problems. Without taking steps to cut energy usage or to update inefficient existing systems, our adverse effect on the environment will continue. Approaching energy management on a commercial level can effect energy savings, economic savings, pollution reduction, and conservation in the form of upgrading, updating, and upscaling existing facilities.

Introduction

Today our planet faces challenges ranging from pollution to global warming to the increased costs of generating and distributing energy. Our natural resources are more valuable than ever before, and energy conservation has become an established fact in life rather than a political catchword. Major steps to stop environmental destruction due to inefficient, wasteful, and unnecessary consumption of energy are needed to force waste reduction down to a level causing minimal damage to the natural environment.

Transforming wasted energy into economical efficiency through wise use, conservation, and selective focus on making meaningful improvements to existing commercial buildings can make a major difference in the status of our valuable natural resources. Old, outdated buildings with inefficient electrical and mechanical systems can be recycled into energy conserving, healthy, and regulation compliant facilities. Some buildings not so old are also candidates for improvements to their mechanical and electrical systems. The technology to make the necessary improvements is available, but often financial barriers prevent any upgrades from being accomplished. To realize benefits by preventing uncontrolled waste of energy means implementation of energy management programs starting with energy efficient upgrades and retrofits and a means of facing the initial expense. There is a solution to the dilemma of funding improvement projects which enhance building performance and improve building maintenance called Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC).

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Hardymon, L., & Mathis, K., & Nasab, A. S., & Foroudastan, S. (1998, June), Energy Conservation In Existing Commercial Buildings Paper presented at 1998 Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/1-2--7077