Buildings or developments that are verified and certified as “net zero operational energy and/or carbon.” The building should demonstrate the highest levels of energy efficiency with the use of either renewables generated onsite or renewable energy procured offsite.
This project is a refit of a commercial building. It included:
Ground source heat pump with total energy recovery of building exhaust air and variable speed ground loop pumping. The building makes use of an energy recovery ventilator with total energy recovery effectiveness of 70%. Outdoor air from ERV is ducted to the return of the individual ground source heat pumps. Low return within each zone increases outdoor air delivery effectiveness (20% less OA). LED and fluorescent lighting with daylight and stepped dimming and occupancy sensors. Programmed tight control of common are occupancy sensors to reduced fixture on-hours. Installed occupancy-controlled power strips. Encouraged employees to shutoff computers at end of day. Also encouraged employees to adjust interior shading devices at appropriate times to utilize the maximum amount of daylight. Programmed permanent setback mode in unused offices. Increased unoccupied mode for heat pumps to better match hours of employee occupancy.
You can find out more about this case study from ILFI here.
The building makes use of an energy recovery ventilator with total energy recovery effectiveness of 70%.