A pilot program of plug load energy reduction strategies at a large office property yielded findings pertaining to tenant education and advance power strip technologies that can help building owners reduce energy consumption.
The Tower Companies conducted the study at a downtown Washington D.C. office building in which they implemented a “Turn it Off!” campaign to encourage building occupants to reduce plug loads. The building was equipped with advanced power strips (APSs) used to plug multiple electronic devices into a wall outlet with built-in technology to reduce plug and process load (PPL) runtimes and save energy when the devices are not in use.
The Tower Companies worked with the Better Buildings Initiative to gain guidance and support on project design, implementation, and analysis. Decision guides and technical specification were created as a result of this program and are available here.
PPLs account for an increasingly large percentage of commercial building energy use. The primary energy use associated with PPLs is projected to grow from 30% to 35% of total commercial building energy use between 2010 and 2025 as the number and energy intensity of plug-in devices continue to increase.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2020
Standards for reducing risk of COVID-19 in senior living communities
AIA releases strategies and illustrations for the sector.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2020
Guide presents benefits of public-private partnerships
Discusses process from project conception to construction.
Codes and Standards | Jul 1, 2020
COVID-19 public health guidelines may be downplaying building systems solutions
Emphasis on cleaning surfaces overlooks importance of mechanical infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
WELL building institute steps up health safety rating for hotels and resorts
Certification body forms advisory group of industry leaders and health experts.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 30, 2020
Affordable housing comes to the Bay Area and this is not the end of cities.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
Mandated building retrofits are necessary to meet climate crisis
Performance standards could greatly reduce GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
New buildings can fall short of designed performance
Similar structures can produce different energy usage results.
Codes and Standards | Jun 25, 2020
Arc offers tools, analytics for safe workplace re-entry
Platform helps sustainability teams to collect data, benchmark progress, measure impact, and improve performance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2020
New API enables design and construction technology platforms to connect
Construction Specifications Institute offers “digital classification engine.”
Codes and Standards | Jun 23, 2020
State lawmakers encouraging transition to heat pumps for building heating
Policies aim to replace gas heaters with electric units.