The Department of Energy (DOE) announced recently that buildings that meet 2010 energy efficiency standards use 18.5% less energy than structures using a previous standard.

DOE simulated 16 different building types of various sizes in 15 climate locations to analyze energy codes published by the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

The analysis showed that buildings meeting ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, save commercial building owners energy and money, as well as help meet sustainability goals and reduce carbon pollution. Some of the changes in the new standard resulting in greater savings include day lighting controls under skylights and commissioning of day lighting controls, increased use of heat recovery, control of exterior lighting and efficiency requirements for data centers.

“Buildings are the largest energy-consumers in the US, more even than industry or transportation, “says Wayne Robertson, president of Atlanta-based sustainability consulting firm Energy Ace. “So, every therm and kilowatt-hour we can save leaves more for our next generations and improvements in energy efficiency in buildings are some of the best payback investments a building owner can make.”

When DOE issues a final determination, states are expected to review the new code provisions and update their own state building codes to meet or exceed the new standard within two years. Certification statements by the states are due October 18, 2013.

For more information about energy efficiency and sustainability, please contact Steve O’Day. A complete copy of the DOE final determination regarding Standard 90.1 is available here.