CNC Report 08.26.24 8.5x11 - Flipbook - Page 28
LOWER UTILITY BILLS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION
What is the ‘low hanging fruit’ to increase energy efficiency on a daily or seasonal basis?
By eliminating fossil fuels, one can consider renewable energy generation strategies to offset the
consumption of all-electric devices - leading to better localized efficiency and site specific resiliency.
What type of investments and ROI should be expected in order to take action?
1. Improve Energy Efficiency
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Replace older electric lighting with efficient LEDs.
Increase envelope performance (adding insulation) to decrease heating energy use in the winter
and cooling energy use in summer.
Increase air tightness using thermographic camera and/or a blower door test to identify spots of
air leakage.
Replace single pane windows with double pane windows and/or add additional coatings to
existing windows to reduce SHGC: aim for U-value of 0.45 Btu/h-sf-°F and SHGC of 0.24 (data
from ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides for climate zone 3).
Install shading devices to reduce solar heat gain in summer on larger south, east or west
windows which are not shaded by trees or other buildings.
Replace air handling units with ERV that have energy recovery, target efficiency: aim for 75%
effectiveness for both sensible and latent energy recovery (data from ASHRAE Advanced Energy
Design Guides). This can, for example, be achieved by rotary heat exchangers.
Consider switching air-based cooling/heating systems to hydronic systems (fan coils, radiant
panel, etc.) which use less fan energy with minimum ventilation.
Assess electric appliances and equipment and replace older equipment or use timers to reduce
electric energy usage.
2. Eliminate Use of Fossil Fuels On Site (electrify)
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Change natural gas heating systems to electric heat pumps.
Switch natural gas hot water to electric hot water heating.
3. Generate Renewable Electricity to Reduce Grid Electricity Use
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Add PV for decentralized electricity production on rooftops, carports, or overhangs.
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Transsolar
KlimaEngineering
