DOE Announces Guide for 50 Percent More Energy Efficient K-12 School Buildings

On October 12, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the release of the second installment in a series of four 50% Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs). This latest guide will help architects, engineers, and contractors design and build highly efficient K-12 school buildings, saving taxpayer dollars. The 50% AEDG series provides a practical approach to designing schools and other major commercial building types that achieve 50% energy savings compared to the commercial building energy code used in many parts of the nation. The guides support President Obama’s goal to reduce energy use in commercial buildings 20% by 2020 and will help drive demand for energy-saving products made in the United States. In addition, they provide climate-specific recommendations incorporating off-the-shelf energy efficient products, helping designers and builders choose advanced building envelope assemblies and highly efficient heating and cooling systems, and incorporate other energy-saving measures such as daylighting and associated control systems

The 50% AEDGs is being developed through a partnership with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). K-12 School Buildings guide is the second installment, following the first, Small and Medium Office Buildings released earlier this year. The next two guides for major commercial building types – Medium to Big Box Retail Buildings and Large Hospitals – are also in progress.

More information: Download K-12 Schools Advanced Energy Design Guide