DURHAM, N.C. - Green energy projects offer new opportunities for HVAC designers, contractors, and building owners, but for any new or emerging equipment or design concept to make a significant impact it must first be demonstrated to work reliably and without risk. That point is essential for designers and contractors who feel the risk whenever they recommend new technology to clients.

Attendees at the Commercial Building Energy Alliance Supplier Summit meeting held in Orlando, Fla., were addressed by facilities management designers with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Whole Foods, and other major companies who described the flood of offers they get from new-technology HVAC equipment makers. Those speakers pointed out that many of those manufacturers have neglected the time-tested steps that confirm operating efficiency, reliability, and similar key data needed by specifying engineers.

To determine how HVAC design professionals feel about the new technology process, you are invited to participate in a short online survey asking about your experiences with an energy source seen as emerging, and about data you need whenever designing green renewable energy into commercial, institutional, and similar buildings. Have your professional information requirements changed with advances like growth of the Internet or the mandate that buildings use more renewable energy?

The survey can be found at the following link:

http://survey.oit.duke.edu/ViewsFlash/servlet/viewsflash?cmd=page&pollid=FSWE!HVAC_Professionals_Input

Privacy is protected, according to survey project manager John Karakash, because data is collected anonymously. The compiled results will be published for public use and benefit.

Co-investigators Karakash and Dr. Dan Richter, professor of soils and forest ecology at the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, are conducting this applied research as a collaboration between the Duke University Nicholas School and consulting firm Resource Professionals Group with financial support from the U.S. Forest Service.

Publication date:03/29/2010