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comment Energy Retrofits Cost-Effective, Says DOE Study
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Whitestone Research recently released the results of a study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) evaluating the cost-effectiveness of retrofitting an older building to meet the requirements of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, which mandates that federal buildings reduce their energy consumption 30% by 2015 (calculated from a 2003 baseline).
The study, a lifecycle cost analysis of two retrofit options proposed for a research library at DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, found that the more costly retrofit not only exceeded the 30% energy reduction but was also 16% more cost-effective over a 40-year period than the less expensive option and 12% more cost-effective than making no changes to the building. The study also found that up to 75% of the mandated energy savings could be achieved through modifications to the building’s mechanical system, though such results could not necessarily be replicated in every case.
This article originally appeared on BuildingGreen.com
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