Eco-finishes and fixtures, such as zero-VOC paints and carpet, a polished concrete slab, recycled-content ceramic tile, carpet and toilet partitions, eco-friendly furniture systems, and waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, and low-flow faucets, were chosen to reduce toxicity and conserve resources. The project garnered $29,086 in efficiency rebates from the flexible-rebate division of the city's business-incentive program.

Hyland Village Community Center

Designed to be the first zero-energy community center in Colorado, Hyland Village Community Center is under construction and will include meeting rooms, a small kitchenette, restrooms, and an associated outdoor seasonal pool. Zero-energy buildings use the equivalent of the energy provided by on-site renewable sources.

The project will harness passive solar energy through south-facing windows and a Trombe wall. The Trombe wall will collect and store solar energy in a concrete-mass wall during the day and release energy to help heat the building at night. All of the facility's electric needs are fulfilled via 14.5 kw of PV panels. Solar-thermal panels are employed to handle domestic water and space and pool heating.

The center's insulated building shell will require little cooling, which will be provided by a fan that will flush the building with cool air at night. Other notable features include a greywater system for shower-water reuse in toilets, air-to-air heat recovery on ventilation air, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and a live green roof. The project has been submitted for LEED Platinum certification.

PROMISING HVAC TECHNOLOGIES

Data from Arthur D. Little, an international management-consulting firm, estimates that roughly 59 billion sq ft of commercial floor space in the United States consumed 14.7 quads of energy in 1995. HVAC systems consumed 4.5 quads of this total, representing the largest percentage of energy end-use. In July 2002, the DOE published a report, “Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, Volume III: Energy Savings Potential,” in which 55 technology options were analyzed for energy-savings potential. The 15 most attractive options were given a more refined analysis (Table 1).

Figure 1 presents the simple payback of 11 of these options. Radiant-cooling and dedicated outdoor-air systems have an instantaneous payback requiring no additional capital outlays.

Several areas absent from the DOE's list of 15 promising technology options include cogeneration/waste-heat utilization opportunities, building-envelope technologies that reduce building heating/cooling loads, renewable energy, and natural-cooling/ventilation technologies. As previously mentioned, these technologies often are present in high-performance buildings.

CONCLUSION

There is no single path to a high-performance building, although enhanced collaboration and team commitment to goal success is paramount. Delivering a high-performance building on time and within budget is a top priority. Experience is a valuable commodity in teams designing a high-performance project. Measurable goals should be established early and accomplished throughout the duration of a project. Modeling should be used to inform the design, commission the project, and monitor post-occupancy. These steps will ensure a high-performance project has the greatest chance for success.

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Peter C. D'Antonio, PE, CEM, LEED AP, is the director of business development at PCD Engineering Services Inc., an award-winning provider of mechanical/electrical engineering, commissioning, and energy analyses for buildings. His work has been recognized with design and service awards from various organizations, including the U.S. Green Building Council, Colorado Governor's Energy Office, and American Solar Energy Society. He can be reached at peter@pcdengineering.com.

Resources for More Information

Resources for additional information on high-performance-building mechanical-system design include:

• “Advanced Energy Design Guides,” which can be found at www.ashrae.org/technology/page/938.

• “Los Alamos Sustainable Design Guide,” which can be found at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/highperformance/lanl_sustainable_guide.html.

• “High Performance HVAC,” which can be found at www.wbdg.org/resources/hvac.php?r=dd_hvaceng.

• “Energy Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools,” which can be found at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/highperformance/design_guidelines.html.

• “High Performance HVAC,” which can be found at www.highperformancehvac.com.

• “IAQ Design Tools for Schools,” which can be found at www.epa.gov/iaq/schooldesign/hvac.html.

• “Building Energy Software Tools Directory,” which can be found at apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects_sub.cfm.

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