A couple of weeks ago the New York Times published an artilce by NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) stating that a 30% energy reduction relative to today’s energy efficiency standards are not economically feasible.
The report, released this week by the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, found that a 50 percent energy improvement beyond federal standards is technically impossible. A 30 percent target is achievable, but only by adding a million-dollar solar system that could take up to 100 years to pay for itself.
Experts say it is one of the first efforts they have seen to question whether the green building’s economic foundation is as solid as advocates claim.
Read the entire article here.
However since it’s release two organizations have stood up against this claim and have argued that this study was generated to discredit organizations that have been pushing for more energy efficient commercial buildings while directly benefiting Real Estate Developers that turn over their building stock within a short amount of time once the project is complete, therefore never truly experiencing the payback for energy efficiency.
Architecture 2030 had this to say in their response to NAIOP:
It is clear from a simple analysis of the study that NAIOP commissioned a building energy efficiency analysis to support predetermined results. They contracted with ConSol, an energy-modeling firm, and asked them to analyze five (yes, only five) efficiency measures for an imaginary, square-shaped, four-story office building with completely sealed windows and an equal amount of un-shaded glass on all four sides of the building. In other words, analyze an energy Hog.
Read the full article here.
BetterBricks took a more personal approach their response:
Those who have been designing, building and promoting high performance buildings for a long time are finding the study very difficult to swallow. But let’s all use it as a learning opportunity. Energy efficiency advocates now can see where the commercial real estate mainstream is in their thinking and efficiency experts can take this opportunity to inform NAIOP and others that these buildings are being achieved today – and they are financially feasible.
Read the full article here.
As a professional in the building industry, I can also speak to experience and agree with John Jennings from BetterBricks, that meeting these energy efficiency targets are financially feasible and can be done with standard off the shelf products. My latest commercial project that is currently under construction is designed to exceed today’s energy efficiency standard by 31%. Even my latest residential project is designed to be 45% more energy efficient by today’s standards. So I ask you to read the articles and determine who you think the credible source is.
-Josh
Joshua has a degree in architecture and is a LEED Accredited Professional that has worked in the design and construction industry for over 10 years, focusing his efforts on energy efficiency and building science. He has organized multiple events in Ohio to give young designers the opportunity to learn about “green” home design and produce actual projects. He was also a key player in Ohio’s first LEED for Homes Platinum project. Joshua is also a certified Building Analyst through the Building Performance Institute and performs home energy audits, assisting home owners in reducing their energy usage.
