ATLANTA — Building on a long-established working relationship, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed an updated memorandum of understanding, committing to further improve the efficient use of energy. The agreement represents an update of an agreement last signed in 2007.

Together ASHRAE and DOE agree to work cooperatively to improve the efficient use of energy, improve the visible and widespread use of renewable energy sources, and minimize the impact of energy use on the environment.

“By renewing our memorandum of understanding, ASHRAE and DOE pledge to combine our collective energy conservation efforts,” said Ron Jarnagin, ASHRAE president. “We are committed to leading our country and our world toward a sustainable energy future.”

Specifically, the agreement notes that ASHRAE and the DOE are committed to working together on the following goals:

• Promote and support the continued development of ASHRAE standards related to energy efficiency, including:

ANSI/ASHRAE/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1, Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.2, Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality In Commercial, Institutional, Industrial and High-Rise Residential Buildings

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100, Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135, BACnet® – A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks

ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance  Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Proposed ASHRAE/NEMA Standard 201, Facility Smart Grid Information Model

• Support a goal for the 2013 version of Standard 90.1 to be 50 percent more energy efficient than the 2004 version of Standard 90.1.

• Promote and support Standard 90.1 through training programs, including self-directed learning, building interaction and ASHRAE chapter-oriented training.

• Cooperate in promotion for the adoption of Standard 90.1 in building codes and in the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

• Collaborate on the accelerated development and distribution of advanced energy design guidance publications, such as 50 percent Advanced Energy Design Guides, which can be utilized as an alternative to the prescriptive path in Standard 90.1-2013, for a more sustainable built environment.

• Work within the building community and related professions to encourage the interoperability of building related software and integrated solutions among design disciplines, manufacturers, contractors, building owners and operators, to increase energy efficiency, health, and productivity in new and existing buildings.

• Provide and support communication of information regarding technology transfers to building owners and management about the interrelationships between mechanical systems and building operating costs, noting energy, indoor environmental quality workplace performance, client satisfaction and public safety.

• Collaborate to increase the impact of the energy hubs created as part of the DOE Energy Efficient Building Systems Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative.

• Support the development and implementation of next-generation refrigerants that achieve low-global warming potential targets and concurrently improve equipment energy efficiency.

For more information, visit www.ashrae.org.

Publication date:08/08/2011