Green-Design by the Numbers The current global focus on being green, i.e. saving energy and protecting the environment, has created a craze that's sweeping the country, even down to the consumer level. A lot of critics say those touting global warming are nothing more than Chicken Little-like fanatics or boys crying wolf. Some even site evidence about global cooling. But whether we're enmeshed in a global warming cycle or a global cooling phenomenon doesn't really matter. The key issue is we need to be smarter about our energy consumption. And those of us in the HVAC industry can make a significant difference by designing greener, more energy-efficient mechanical systems. Consider the following facts and you'll understand the impact greener mechanical systems can have. The Numbers… 5 MILLION - The total number of non-residential buildings in the United States. 17 QUADS - The amount of energy consumed by the 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S. 18 PERCENT- The share of all energy consumed that U.S. commercial buildings use. 34 PERCENT- The portion of all electricity consumed that commercial buildings use. 50 - 70 PERCENT - The amount of a commercial building's total energy cost that HVAC/mechanical systems account for. $110 BILLION - The amount of money commercial buildings spend annually on energy. 30 PERCENT - The amount of energy the average green building saves. 80 PERCENT - The percentage of mechanical systems designers/specifiers who believe green-design is not a fad, but is here to stay. $21 BILLION - The estimated value of non-residential green-building construction for 2008. (Projected to TRIPLE over the next three years.) $8 BILLION - The value of Green Mechanical Systems work represented by $21 billion of Do the Math… …and you'll arrive at one more number: 50% of $110 billion = estimated annual commercial HVAC costs x 30% savings = estimated potential annual green buildings energy savings The answer is 16.5. Billion dollars. Of course, in this scenario, all commercial buildings would have to be green. But the numbers provide a model that demonstrates the impact more efficient – greener – mechanical systems could have. And that's on energy costs alone. We haven't even considered the favorable effects consuming less energy has on the environment: lower CO2 emissions, fewer energy plants, less oil production, etc. EGB Provides Solutions to Green-Design Challenges The green movement has created a demand for events like EGB 2008. As the only industry event dedicated to designing, specifying and commissioning greener mechanical systems, EGB is a must attend conference for engineers, architects, mechanical contractors, facility managers, building owners/operators and other buildings professionals involved in the design, specification or selection of mechanical systems and components, For complete details and to register online, visit www.egbconference.com. Sources: McGraw-Hill 2006 Green Building SmartMarket Report, 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey and U.S. Green Building Council
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