1. Succeeding in Sustainability
ASHRAE Headquarters
ASHRAE Headquarters
Succeeding in Sustainability

2. 40% of all energy in the United States is used by buildings.

3. Only 2% of building stock is built new each year.

4. The greatest opportunity to change energy consumption in the built environment is through modification of existing buildings.

5. In 2005, ASHRAE formed a plan to renew its headquarters building in Atlanta. The project was completed in June 2008:
ASHRAE succeeded in creating a healthy, productive and sustainable building, ensuring a sustainability showcase for years to come.
34,000 ft2
Total cost of 6.2 million

6. Building Excellence
A- in As Designed category of ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient program
Recipient of ENERGY STAR®
Awarded LEED Platinum in New Construction in Version 2.2

7. Goals of Renewal Deliver a healthy and productive workplace
Demonstrate commitment to sustainability
Create a living lab
Provide a learning center

8. Commitment to Sustainability
The many resource-conserving features of the ASHRAE Headquarters building resulted in tremendous savings:
Total annual water consumption has been reduced by 67%
A 54% reduction in site energy use intensity
Thermal comfort satisfaction improved from 18% to 33%
Indoor air quality satisfaction improved from 26% to 77%

9. Energy Efficiency
As part of the “living lab” concept, the building uses three separate HVAC systems
The first floor is conditioned for heating and cooling using a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system with heat recovery. The system includes five inverter driven, outdoor DX heat pumps, three ductless fan coil units, twenty-one branch selector boxes, and twenty-two ducted fan coil units operating on HFC 410A refrigerant (System Capacity 32 tons (113 KW) total).  

10. Energy Efficiency
As part of the “living lab” concept, the building uses three separate HVAC systems
The second level is conditioned using fourteen two-stage, 27-EER variable-speed ground-source heat pumps, with a geothermal field of foot-deep wells, and a closed-loop piping system.

11. Energy Efficiency
As part of the “living lab” concept, the building uses three separate HVAC systems
The pump shown is part of the ground source heat pump system and it helps to harness energy stored near the surface of the earth to provide high-efficiency heating and cooling for the 14 individual zones on the second level.

12. Energy Efficiency
As part of the “living lab” concept, the building uses three separate HVAC systems
The third system is a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), which provides 6,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of outside air to the first and second floors for ventilation (30% more than required) and incorporates dual stage air-to-air heat recovery desiccant heat wheels, variable speed supply and exhaust fans, DX cooling coils and MERV 13 air filters

13. Local and centralized control hardware precisely manage the conditioned space allowing for total comfort, energy efficiency, and remote monitoring
Energy Efficiency
A Web-based direct digital control (DDC) system provides integrated control of HVAC equipment from multiple manufacturers, maintaining a comfortable, healthful and energy efficient working environment.

14. High-efficiency lighting lowers lighting power use by 25 to 35% and sensors automatically adjust usage based on occupancy
Energy Efficiency
The parking lot luminaires were updated to reduce light pollution emanating from the site.

15. ASHRAE has extensively isolated load types and sub-metered the building so the information can be monitored and used in the future.
Energy Efficiency
The Building Automation System (BAS) provides a user interface for the living lab project, allowing researchers around the world to monitor performance and extract data for research purposes.

16. ASHRAE used the enhanced commissioning process from ASHRAE Guideline 0 to ensure that the building performs according to its design.

17. Renewable Energy
A 20-kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel array on the roof produces electricity during daylight hours, which in turn is sold to the local electrical utility at a premium price. If this power was instead used to power the building, it is estimated it would offset 8% of the total building load.

18. Water Efficiency
Annual water consumption has been reduced by 64% by using high-efficiency low-flow toilets, waterless urinals and solar water preheat of domestic hot water.
The landscaping has also been configured to eliminate the need for irrigation.

19. Indoor Environmental Quality
Building envelope enhancements allow for increased daylighting throughout the building

20. Indoor Environmental Quality
The building employs low-emitting materials, such as furnishings and carpet, throughout to reduce indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating or harmful to the comfort and well-being of occupants.

21. Indoor Environmental Quality
A comfortable thermal environment that supports the productivity and well-being of all building occupants is provided by adhering to the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 55.

22. Reduced Environmental Impact
ASHRAE has increased the amount of vegetated open space by 45% above local code requirement to conserve valuable water, reduce run-off, reduce heat island effects and help provide a more attractive site.

23. Reduced Environmental Impact
The heat island effect from the roof and parking lot have been reduced using a cool white reflective roof membrane with a solar reflectance index (SRI) of 78 and a protective crust over half of the parking lot pavement with a SRI of 32. .

24. Reduced Environmental Impact
Site runoff has been reduced by 34% and the rate of runoff by 30%. Runoff water is reduced by the green roof areas and naturally filtered of pollutants a bioswale system, which gradually releases water back into the storm water system to prevent overload.

25. Reduced Environmental Impact
ASHRAE is demonstrating how to extend the lifecycle of existing buildings, conserve resources, and reduce waste by retaining more than 90% of the original structure and envelope.

26. Reduced Environmental Impact
ASHRAE protected the environment during the renovation process:
Diverted more than 90% of the construction waste away from landfills and incinerators
22% of total value of project materials made from recycled content
Selected refrigerants and HVAC&R systems to minimize ozone depletion and global warming

27. Transportation
ASHRAE is actively encouraging alternative and fuel-efficient transportation means for its staff and guests:
on-site bike storage, showers and changing rooms
dedicated parking for low-emitting & fuel-efficient vehicles
more than 5% of parking spaces reserved for carpools

28. ASHRAE Guidance Followed
Energy efficiency: Standard
Thermal comfort: Standard
Ventilation: Standard
Energy in existing buildings: Standard
Commissioning: Guideline
HVAC&R system commissioning: Guideline

29. Thank You! ASHRAE Foundation Automated Logic Corp. ClimateMaster
ASHRAE would like to thank the following companies and individuals who helped make this project possible
ASHRAE Foundation
Automated Logic Corp.
ClimateMaster
Daikin
Georgia Power/Southern Company
Trane
Aircuity
Interface FLOR
Mark Brandli, design principal/Richard Wittshiebe Hand
Commissioning & Green Building Solutions (CxGBS) Inc.
Dynamic Air Quality Solutions
EBTRON Inc.
Bill and Margaret Harrison
Northwrite
PolyCon
Thermal Gas Systems Inc.
U.S. Green Building Council