flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

New buildings can fall short of designed performance

Codes and Standards

New buildings can fall short of designed performance

Similar structures can produce different energy usage results.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 29, 2020

Courtesy Pixabay

Using modern building materials and a new building management system or control system doesn’t always produce a highly efficient building, a systems engineer tells GlobeSt.

New buildings don’t always perform as designed due to many variables. Energy loads and when the loads peak can vary no matter the design, and similar buildings can produce far different energy usage outcomes.

How the building is commissioned can impact energy efficiency, and different tenants can use energy differently. Building systems need to be fine-tuned, and controls have to be adapted for the specific building. You can’t “copy and paste” from another building even if it has nearly identical characteristics.

Newer technology can identify inaccurate readings in building management systems, and identify problems or savings opportunities in the building. That goes for new buildings as well as old structures.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Feb 17, 2022

Pandemic won’t alter urban planning

City planners focused on returning to ‘old normal’.

Codes and Standards | Feb 16, 2022

California court rules affordable housing developers exempt from local zoning

Case could set precedent on state law that overrides local rules.

Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2022

FORTIFIED resiliency standard expanded to include multifamily sector

Voluntary, beyond-code program aims to protect buildings from severe weather.

Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022

Number of Americans at risk of flooding to double in 30 years

Most new risk from new development, not climate change.

Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2022

Intl. Code Council committee on diversity seeks applicants

New board aims to increase diversity in the membership association.

Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2022

Climate impact of gas stoves in U.S. equal to half a million cars

New study could increase momentum to ban fossil fuels in new buildings.

Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2022

Energy efficiency ratings not reflecting true energy use

Highest rated U.K. buildings are less efficient than lower rated ones.

Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2022

Illinois tops USGBC list of states with the most LEED certified projects in 2021

Top 10 states plus D.C. certified more than 247 million gross square feet.

Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022

Public works contracting reform advances in New York State

Governor signs bill to form advisory council that will propose policy changes.

Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2022

Commercial and multifamily construction starts rebounded in 2021

Following COVID uncertainty in 2020, the industry recovered, but still lags 2019 levels.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021