American National Standards Institute (ANSI) members ASHRAE and the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) committing to further improve energy efficiency and lead the way to a more sustainable energy future. Signed at ASHRAE's 2011 Annual Conference, June 25-29, in Montreal, the agreement builds upon a previous ASHRAE-DOE MoU established in 2007. [See related news item]
Through the agreement, ASHRAE and DoE will work cooperatively to improve the efficient use of energy, promote the 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 ASHRAE president Ron Jarnagin. "We are committed to leading our country and our world toward a sustainable energy future."
As a key component of the agreement, ASHRAE and the DOE will work together to promote the continued development of standards related to energy efficiency, including the following American National Standards (ANS):
ANSI/ASHRAE/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1, Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
ASHRAE and DoE will promote the adoption of Standard 90.1 in building codes and international standards, and support a goal for the 2013 version of Standard 90.1 to be 50 percent more energy efficient than the 2004 version. This standard was developed through the joint efforts of ASHRAE and ANSI member and accredited standards developer the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
This green building standard was jointly developed by ASHRAE, IES, and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer. Standard 189.1 provides a set of technically rigorous requirements and covers criteria including water use efficiency, indoor environmental quality, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and a building's impact on its site and its community.
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.2, Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Jointly developed by ASHRAE and IES, Standard 90.2 provides minimum requirements for the 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
Developed by ASHRAE, this standard applies to all spaces intended for human occupancy except those within single-family houses, multifamily structures of three stories or fewer above grade, vehicles, and aircraft.
Read ASHRAE's press release for more information on the ASHRAE-DoE partnership.