ATLANTA - Under a new agreement, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will work to increase building energy efficiency standards for the year 2010 by 30 percent over 2004 standards.

A new memorandum of understanding commits ASHRAE and DOE to improving the efficient use of energy and the viable and widespread use of renewable energy sources and to minimizing the impact of energy use on the environment.

“DOE and ASHRAE have been working together in advancing energy conservation technology since the initial energy crisis of the 1970s,” said Kent Peterson, ASHRAE president. “This new initiative provides an opportunity for ASHRAE and DOE to expand our collective energy conservation efforts, our energy conservation education initiatives, and strategic research program focus in leading our country and the world toward a sustainable energy future. The agreement further enhances ASHRAE’s ability and resolve of being a global engineering engine of sustainability.”

Under the agreement, ASHRAE and the DOE are committed to working together toward the following goals:

• Promoting and supporting the continuing development of ASHRAE standards related to energy efficiency, IAQ, and sustainability.

• Supporting implementation of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, through training programs.

• Supporting the development of guidance for exceeding the minimum efficiencies set by Standard 90.1, and new performance metrics and protocols for building energy efficiency and environmental impact.

• Cooperating in and supporting research into clean and renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency in buildings and equipment, and environmental impact of energy and material use.

• Cooperating in promotion of ANSI/ASHRAE standards adoption in International Organization of Standardization (ISO) standards.

• Working within the building community and related professions to encourage the interoperability of building related software and integrated solutions to increase energy efficiency, health, and productivity in new and existing buildings.

• Ensuring sufficient numbers of qualified building design professionals by promoting and encouraging the study of mathematics and science to pre-college students, the study of building design within college curricula, and the pursuit of continuing education by practicing design professionals.

• Providing and supporting technology transfer to building owners and management about the interrelationships between mechanical systems and building operating costs, noting energy, workplace performance, client satisfaction, and public safety.

• Monitoring the operational, energy, and environmental impacts of new counter-terrorism design features, and promoting minimization of those impacts.

Publication date: 08/06/2007