ASHRAE Journal - January 2009 - (Page 14) Green, From Page 13 after the project was completed, the EPA recognized the project as one of its first ENERGY STAR®-labeled buildings, using actual energy data compared to today’s energy-efficiency baselines. Eric J. Lindstrom, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Grand Island, N.Y. The Author Responds The “bad idea” was the double envelope, not the automatic daylighting and solar shading controls. No double facade can come close in performance to a “decent facade” with an intelligent amount of glass. Add automatic daylighting and solar shading controls to a decent facade with an intelligent amount of glass and you get something pretty special. Joseph W. Lstiburek Ph.D., P. Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, Somerville, Mass. I just finished reading “Why Green Can Be Wash” by Joseph W. Lstiburek in the November issue of the Journal. I couldn’t agree with him more! I call it the “Efficiency First” plan, and the current direction of the green movement has obliterated the cause of energy efficiency. Joe isn’t the first person to observe many of the facts that he’s discussed. Study after study of “certified” green buildings made by engineers on behalf of disappointed owners of these buildings have come to the same or strikingly similar conclusions. Efficiency in the conversion of energy resources must be achieved before we can improve the environment, air quality, mankind’s contribution to climate change, or the world economy. This is a serious matter, and it has gotten lost in the “wash” of green. This is the third major cycle of energy awareness that I’ve seen in my lifetime. In the 1930s we had very little energy infrastructure so there was a shortage of energy in all of its forms. As a result engineers were very conscious of energy “efficiency” in all engineered systems. That problem appeared to be solved by the massive energy infrastructure we built during World War II. The next cycle was in the mid-1970s following the oil embargo. That time we called it energy “conservation” and the engineers started listening to the pundits and politicians who convinced the populace that conservation meant sacrifice and poor performance, so when the embargo was history, the problem again appeared to be solved. In this third cycle, many of us recognize that energy conversion is crucial to the world economy and quality of life and that the only solution is energy efficiency first, which will then enable us to satisfy our needs with replenishable sources. Therefore, the fundamental measure of buildings of the future must be performance with accountability. If we are to certify or rate buildings, it should be on the basis of performance first with environmental concerns as a given. William J. Coad, P.E., Presidential/ Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, St. Louis www.info.hotims.com/22183-118 See Green, Page 46 ashrae.org January 2009 14 ASHRAE Journal http://www.connfab.com/ash.html http://www.connfab.com/ash.html http://www.info.hotims.com/22183-118 http://www.ashrae.org
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