ENERGY EFFICIENCY
TOPIC: THE ENERGY STAR BUILDINGS PROGRAM
(HVAC LOAD REDUCTIONS)
ISSUE:
Thermal transmittance factors and solar heat gain factors for windows, doors and skylights.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
joined forces in establishing the Energy Star Building Label, a voluntary, performance based,
benchmarking and recognition initiative. In his radio address to the nation on July 25, 1998, the
President directed federal agencies to maximize efforts to earn an Energy Star label
demonstrating to the public that they rank in the top 25 percent for building energy efficiency. In
February 1998, DOE published Energy Star target performance levels for thermal transmittance
and solar heat gain factors for windows, doors and skylights.
DISCUSSION:
The following compares VA criteria and Energy Star target levels for thermal transmittance (U
factors) and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC):
Region
Item
VA
Energy Star
North
Windows and Doors
U factor / SHGC
0.50 / 0.33
0.35 / -
(Mostly Heating)
Skylights, U factor / SHGC
None
0.45 / -
Central
Windows and Doors
(Heating and
U factor / SHGC
0.50 / 0.50
0.40 / 0.55
Cooling)
Skylights, U factor / SHGC
None
0.45 / 0.55
South
Windows and Doors
U factor / SHGC
1.13 / 0.60
0.75 / 0.40
(Mostly Cooling)
Skylights, U factor / SHGC
None
0.75 / 0.40
RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSION:
1. Energy Star criteria was more stringent than VA criteria. For new construction, VA HVAC
Design Manual for Hospital Projects and Master Construction Specification section 08524 was
revised to meet the goal of Energy Star target values. For existing construction, follow these
recommendations if economically and technically feasible as part of a major renovation.
2.
Visit websites for the energy star buildings five stage program:
EPA: http://www.epa.gov/buildings
DOE: http://www.energystar.gov
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202-565-5032, Kurt Knight at 202-565-4980, or Sat Gupta at 202-565-5268.
10 November 1998
FM-187C-DA93
Previous Page
