Commercial Buildings Key Publications
Here you will find key publications relating to net-zero energy buildings, energy-efficient building technologies, and the commercial sector. These publications are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
Some of the documents below are produced by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) national laboratories including the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
- Building Planning and Performance
- Commercial Sector and Policy
- Energy Supply Information
- Energy Use Information and Buildings Benchmarks
- Facility Specific Information
- Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
- Lighting
- Net-Zero Energy Buildings Research and Programs
- Program Information — Commercial Building Initiative Fact Sheets
- Project Brochures
Building Planning and Performance
Automated Multivariate Optimization Tool for Energy Analysis (PDF 1.0 MB) — This NREL report describes ongoing efforts to develop a computerized search tool that can automate input and output, evaluate many options, and perform enough simulations to account for complex interactions among combinations of options. The optimization tool employs multiple modules; each module is described and the overall application architecture is summarized.
Building Commissioning: A Golden Opportunity for Reducing Energy Costs and Greenhouse Gas Emissions — LBNL produced this report which examines data on 643 buildings representing a total of 99 million square feet of floor space, and provides the largest database of case studies on commissioning new and existing buildings.
The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings (PDF 3.1 MB) — This report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force provides an analysis of the financial costs and benefits of green building and finds that a minimal upfront investment of about two percent of construction costs typically yields life cycle savings of over ten times the initial investment.
A Handbook for Planning and Conducting Charrettes for High-Performance Projects, 2nd edition (PDF 2.5 MB) — This handbook, published by NREL, provides detailed information about conducting a charrette. A charrette is an intensive workshop in which various stakeholders and experts are brought together to address a particular design issue.
Lessons Learned from Case Studies of Six High-Performance Buildings (PDF 3.8 MB) — Provided by NREL, this report documents the energy performance of six commercial buildings to understand how they perform with respect to their design goals.
Lessons Learned: High-Performance Buildings (PDF 5.1 MB) — Written by DOE Commercial Building Initiative (CBI) researchers who are also American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) members, this article examines the operating performance of six high-performance buildings.
Procedure for Measuring andReporting Commercial BuildingEnergy Performance (PDF 1.1 MB) — This report provides an overview of the Performance Metrics Project which is a DOE commercial buildings research activity. The goal of this project is to standardize the measurement and characterization of building energy performance.
Commercial Sector and Policy
California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (PDF 1.2 MB) — This document, developed by the California Public Utilities Commission, sets forth a roadmap for energy efficiency in California through the year 2020 and beyond including long-term vision and goals for each economic sector and specific strategies to assist in achieving those goals.
Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Transforming the Market (PDF 5.7 MB) — Through the Energy Efficiency in Buildings project, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development conducted extensive research on six major global markets which resulted in recommendations and an actionable roadmap to transform the building sector.
U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database Roadmap (PDF 1.3 MB) — DOE and other partners have developed a Life-Cycle Inventory Database. This roadmap provides an overview of the project, including the goals.
Who Plays and Who Decides: The Structure and Operation of the Commercial Building Market (PDF 21 MB) — This DOE report studies the commercial new construction market to better understand the needs and operation of the market, to more effectively identify needed technologies, and to identify effective strategies to diffuse the technologies being developed by DOE.
Energy Supply Information
Solar Technologies & The Building Envelope (PDF 8 MB) — Written by CBI researchers who are also ASHRAE members, this article focuses on available methods and technologies to integrate on-site solar energy technologies with building energy efficiency.
Source Energy and Emission Factors for Energy Use in Buildings (PDF 1.2 MB) — Provided by NREL, this report supports other measurement procedures and all building energy-monitoring projects by providing methods to calculate the source energy and emissions from the energy measured at the building.
Energy Use Information and Buildings Benchmarks
DOE Commercial Building Benchmark Models (PDF 521 KB) — DOE, through three of its national laboratories, established commercial building benchmark models to provide a consistent baseline of comparison and save time conducting such simulations. This paper will provide an executive summary overview of these benchmark buildings, and how they can save building analysts valuable time.
Energy Information Agency's 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey Tables (PDF 59 KB) — DOE developed this table, derived from the Energy Information Agency's 2003 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey, which shows energy use intensities by subsector and climate zone. Energy use intensity is commonly used to quantify energy performance by expressing the total energy use per unit floor area.
Establishing Benchmarks for DOE Commercial Building R&D and Program Evaluation (PDF 639 KB) — This NREL report summarizes the research and development of benchmarks for hypothetical ideal buildings that meet the requirements of Standard 90.1-2004.
Facility Specific Information
ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides — These guides, developed by ASHRAE and partners, help meet all of an owner's energy performance requirements and offer contractors and designers the tools and recommendations for practical products and off-the-shelf technology needed for achieving a 30% energy savings. The guides are available for free download from this ASHRAE Web site.
General Merchandise 50% Energy Savings Technical Support Document (PDF 3.7 MB) — Produced by NREL, this report documents technical analysis and design guidance for general merchandise stores to achieve whole-building energy savings of at least 50% over ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.
Grocery Store 50% Energy Savings Technical Support Document (PDF 3.3 MB) — This report, developed by NREL, documents technical analysis and design guidance for grocery stores to achieve whole-building energy savings of at least 50% over ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.
Technical Support Document: Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Grocery Stores — 50% Energy Savings (PDF 2.7 MB) — Written by researchers at NREL, this report provides recommendations that architects, contractors, owners, and others can use to achieve energy savings in grocery stores.
Technical Support Document: The Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging Buildings (PDF 1.1 MB) — Produced by PNNL, this document describes the process and methodology for development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodgings, a design guidance document intended to provide recommendations for achieving 30% energy savings in highway lodging properties over levels contained in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Technical Support Document: Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Medium Box Retail — 50% Energy Savings (PDF 4.3 MB) — Written by researchers at NREL, this report provides recommendations that architects, contractors, owners, and others can use to achieve energy savings in medium box retail.
Technical Support Document: The Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings (PDF 919 KB) — Produced by PNNL, this document describes the process and methodology for the development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings, a design guidance document intended to provide recommendations for achieving 30% energy savings in small office buildings over levels contained in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Technical Support Document: The Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings (PDF 1 MB) — Produced by PNNL, this document describes the process and methodology for the development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings, a design guidance document intended to provide recommendations for achieving 30% energy savings in small retail buildings over levels contained in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Technical Support Document: The Development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Warehouse and Self-Storage Buildings (PDF 805 KB) — Produced by PNNL, this document describes the process and methodology for development of the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Warehouse and Self-storage Buildings, a design guidance document intended to provide recommendations for achieving 30% energy savings in small warehouses over levels contained in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Technical Support Document: 50% Energy Savings Design Technology Packages for Highway Lodging Buildings (PDF 987 KB) — This report, produced by PNNL, describes the process, methodology and assumptions for development of the 50% Energy Savings Design Technology Packages for Highway Lodging Buildings. The energy savings calculation s based on energy-efficiency levels contained in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 (ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 2004a).
Technical Support Document: 50% Energy Savings Design Technology Packages for Medium Office Buildings (PDF1.2 MB) — This report, produced by PNNL, documents the analysis and results for a recommended package of energy saving design features. Implementation of these energy measures could allow a new medium office building to achieve 50% energy savings relative to a building that just meets ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
Assessment of the Energy Impacts of Outside Air in the Commercial Sector (PDF 931 KB) — This paper, by researchers at DOE and NREL, focuses on the energy impacts of outside air on U.S. commercial buildings stock. The researchers used simulations to analyze the effects of outside air based on infiltration and mechanical ventilation.
Coolerado 5 Ton RTU Performance: Western Cooling Challenge Results (PDF 620 KB) — This report summarizes NREL's evaluation of performance criteria for cooling equipment as determined by the Western Cooling Efficiency Center.
Cost-Effective Integration of Efficient Low-Lift Base Load Cooling Equipment (PDF 776 KB) — Produced by PNNL, this report details the outcome of a scoping study conducted by PNNL to investigate a low-lift cooling technology option set that offers potentially exemplary HVAC energy performance relative to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.
Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, Volume I: Chillers, Refrigerant Compressors, and Heating Systems (PDF 353 KB) — This report, prepared for DOE, focuses on energy consumption in commercial building HVAC systems in the United States and focuses on energy use for generation of heating and cooling in equipment such as boilers, furnaces, chillers, and package air-conditioning units.
Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, Volume II: Thermal Distribution, Auxiliary Equipment, and Ventilation (PDF 3.3 MB) — This report, prepared for DOE, focuses on parasiticenergy use, the energy required to distribute heating and cooling within a building, reject to the environment the heat discharged by cooling systems, and move air for ventilation purposes.
Energy Consumption Characteristics of Commercial Building HVAC Systems, Volume III: Energy Savings Potential (PDF 2.3 MB) — This report, prepared by DOE, addresses opportunities for energy savings in commercial building HVAC systems, specifically technology options and their technical energy savings potential, current and future economic suitability, and the barriers preventing widespread deployment of each technology in commercial building HVAC systems.
Lighting
Commercial Lighting Solutions, Webtool Peer Review Report (PDF 718 KB) — Produced by PNNL, this report summarizes the peer review of the beta version of the Commercial Lighting Solutions webtool, which contains retail box lighting solutions.
Energy Savings Potential of Solid State Lighting in General Lighting Applications (PDF 509 KB) — This report, prepared for DOE, provides a projection of the impact solid state lighting technology could have on national energy consumption in 2020 if it were to achieve certain price and development targets.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Outdoor Area Lighting Fact Sheet (PDF 3.2 MB) — This fact sheet reviews the major design and specification concerns for outdoor area lighting, and discusses the potential for LED luminaires to save energy while providing high quality lighting for outdoor areas. Outdoor area lighting is a focus of the Lighting and Electrical Subcommittee. See the Department of Energy's Solid-State Lighting Portfolio for more information about LED lighting.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Parking Lot Lighting Working Group Fact Sheet (PDF 171 KB) — This fact sheet describes the Retailer Energy Alliance LED Parking Lot Lighting Working Group and its Technology Procurement Project.
Spectrally Enhanced Lighting Program Implementation for Energy Savings, Field Evaluation (PDF 4.9 MB) — This report summarizes measurements made by PNNL before and after lighting retrofits in three office buildings in California.
The Impact of DOE Building Technology Energy Efficiency Programs on U.S. Employment, Income, and Investment (PDF 424 KB) — This journal article, prepared by PNNL staff, was featured in Energy Economics and discusses how DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office assesses the macroeconomic impacts of its programs, specifically on national employment, wage income, and (most recently) investment.
Net-Zero Energy Buildings Research and Programs
All New Buildings to be Zero Energy from 2019 (PDF 214 KB) — Issued by the European Union (EU) in March 2009, this press release announces the decision that all EU Member States must ensure that all newly-constructed buildings produce as much energy as they consume on-site no later than December 31, 2018. Learn more about the EU's Industry, Research and Energy Committee.
Assessment of the Technical Potential for Achieving Net Zero-Energy Buildings in the Commercial Sector (PDF 1.7 MB) — This NREL report summarizes the findings from research conducted to assess the technical potential for zero-energy building (ZEB) technologies and practices to reduce the impact of commercial buildings on the U.S. energy system.
ASHRAE Vision 2020: Producing Net Zero Energy Buildings (PDF 789 KB) — Produced by members of ASHRAE, this report articulates ASHRAE's vision of net-zero energy buildings and discusses the strategies and actions need to achieve this vision.
The Definition of Zero Carbon (PDF 629 KB) — Developed by the UK Green Building Council, a membership organization, this report examines the definition of zero carbon as proposed by the UK government. Based on computer modeling, the report recommends a new zero carbon definition to be used by the government that would include community-scale and off-site renewables.
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance (PDF 87 KB) — This Executive Order from President Obama, signed October 5, 2009, requires federal agencies to meet a number of energy, water, and waste reduction targets, including designing all new federal buildings to achieve net-zero energy use by 2030. See Section 2, (g) in this order for more information.
Federal Research and Development Agenda for Net-Zero Energy, High-Performance Green Buildings (PDF 2.9 MB) — Produced by the Buildings Technology Research and Development Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), this report describes R&D activities that could decrease use of natural resources and improve indoor environments.
Getting to Net Zero (PDF 512 KB) — This NREL reprint of an article showing in the September 2009 ASHRAE journal discusses the net-zero energy building definitions as well as energy supply options.
Getting to Zero (PDF 948 KB) — The Centerline newsletter, by the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) at the University of California, Berkeley, featured an article that looks at how CBE Industry Partners are meeting net-zero energy goals.
Net zero energy buildings: definitions, issues and Experience (PDF 915 KB) — Written by the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE), this discussion paper considers the issues around low/zero energy buildings. The report is part of the ECEEE's "Steering through the Maze" series that is to help the reader follow some of the issues relating to the approval of the proposed recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Understanding Zero-Energy Buildings (PDF 1.6 MB) — Written by CBI researchers who are also ASHRAE members, this article looks at the technical potential for meeting DOE's net-zero energy goal.
Zero Energy Buildings: A Critical Look at the Definition (PDF 477 KB) — This paper, by researchers at NREL, studied the various definitions for zero energy buildings and the design impacts of the definitions.
Zero-Energy Buildings Defined — This article, appearing on the Buildings.com Web site, discusses achieving net-zero energy, the ideal zero energy building (ZEB), and the future of ZEBs. Buildings.com is a product of Stamats Business Media.
Program Information — Commercial Building Initiative Fact Sheets
Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF 283 KB) — This fact sheet provides an overview of the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative (CBI), which aims to achieve marketable net-zero energy buildings by 2025 through an array of public and private partnerships to advance the development and adoption of high-performance buildings.
Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEA) Fact Sheet (PDF 460 KB) — This fact sheet provides an overview of the Commercial Building Energy Alliances and also spotlights the Commercial Lighting Solutions web tool.
Retailer Energy Alliance (REA) Fact Sheet (PDF 744 KB) — This fact sheet provides an overview of the REA, including its Steering Committee members, goals, and member responsibilities.
Retailer Energy Alliance (REA) Subcommittee Fact Sheet (PDF 3.5 MB) — This fact sheet describes the REA Subcommittees: Lighting and Electrical, Restaurant and Food Preparation, Refrigeration, HVAC, and Whole Building Systems.
Commercial Real Estate Energy Alliance (CREEA) Fact Sheet (PDF 321 KB) — This fact sheet provides an overview of the CREEA, including its Steering Committee members, goals, and member responsibilities.
Hospital Energy Alliance (HEA) Fact Sheet (PDF 288 KB) — This fact sheet provides an overview of HEA's purpose, structure, and goals.
Project Brochures
- The BigHorn Home Improvement Center, Colorado (PDF 698 KB)
- Cambria Office Building, Pennsylvania (PDF 269 KB)
- Adam Joseph Lewis Center, Oberlin College, Ohio (PDF 1.5 MB)
- The Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland (PDF 679 KB)
- 4 Times Square, New York (PDF 792 KB)
- The Solar Energy Research Facility, NREL, Colorado (PDF 559 KB)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Thermal Test Facility, Colorado (PDF 331 KB)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Visitor's Center, Colorado (PDF 843 KB)
- Zion National Park Visitor Center (PDF 803 KB)
- Twenty River Terrace, Battery Park City, New York (PDF 1.4 MB)
- Clearview Elementary School, Pennsylvania (PDF 1 MB)