Project Goals

  • Renewable Energy
  • Energy Use Reduction
  • Healthy Workplaces
ID Name Description
1
Solar PV - Rooftop + partial canopy
Upgrade existing 5.5kW array of 185 solar panels on NRDC roof with more efficient panels laid out to optimize generation.
2
Solar PV - Off site
Add solar PV panels to off-site rooftop in the Bronx.

Envelope

ID Name Description
1
Electrochromic Glazing
Replace existing double pane windows with electrochromic glazing to optimize solar gain and lighting levels.
2
Window Upgrade Frame
Replace existing window frame with a high-performing aluminum frame and keep existing glass to improve window insulation. NRDC improved their double glazed windows with a low-e coating in a previous renovation and the glass cannot be improved further.
3
Window Replacement
Replace entire window with Passive House certified fixed triple glazed windows filled with argon.
4
Roof insulation-Code (Realistic option)
Replace existing roof with R-30 continuous insulation to meet ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
5
Roof Insulation (Passive House option)
Replace existing roof with R-60 continuous insulation to achieve Passive House certified values.
6
Wall insulation-Code (Realistic option)
Increase wall insulation from R-6 to R-13 (cavity) +R-5.6 (continuous) to meet ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
7
Wall insulation (Realistic Option)
Increase wall insulation from R-6 to R-14 by spraying blown cellulose insulation into existing wall cavity.
8
Wall insulation (Passive House Option)
Increase wall insulation from R-6 to R-40 to achieve Passive House certified level wall construction.
9
Shading devices-interior
Add interior shading to south and west facing windows.
10
Shading devices-exterior overhang south and west façade
Add exterior shading by installing overhangs on south and west facing windows.
11
Additional Air Sealing (Passive House option)
Air seal walls to achieve Passive House certified level tight construction.
12
Phase Change Material- Wall Panels & Ceiling Blankets
Add phase change material wall panels to the interior and exterior walls.
13
Green Roof
Convert roof to green roof by planting vegetation to mitigate heat island effect and create a stress relieving environment for employees.
14
Additional Air Sealing-Average Infiltration
Air seal walls to achieve average construction tightness.

Lighting

ID Name Description
1
Upgrade Lighting Power Densities to ASHRAE 90.1
Upgrade existing fluorescent light fixtures to LED lighting fixtures to reduce lighting power densities to meet ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
2
Upgrade to 30% better then ASHARE 90.1
Upgrade existing fluorescent light fixtures to LED lighting fixtures and optimize lighting layout to achieve 30% better than ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
3
90.1 Lighting Control
Improve lighting control by adding timed and occupancy sensors to meet ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
4
Daylight integrated dimming
Add daylight sensors in perimeter rooms. This allows lights to dim when daylight is able to meet required lighting levels.
5
Upgrade to 55% better then ASHARE 90.2
Upgrade existing fluorescent light fixtures to LED lighting fixtures and optimize lighting layout to achieve 55% better than ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
6
Revise maintenance schedules
Revise janitorial and maintenance schedules to reduce the hours that lights are turned on each day.

Plug Loads

ID Name Description
1
Install ENERGY STAR appliances for all kitchen equipment
Upgrade all kitchen appliances to Energy Star to reduce equipment power density. (coffee makers, dishwashers, ice machines, microwaves, refrigerators, toaster ovens, water filters)
2
Controllable Plugs-90.1 Plug Load Control
Add controllable outlets to manage plug loads and meet ASHRAE 90.1 requirements.
3
Turn off unnecessary appliances
Strategy to encourage staff to turn off monitors and video screens at end of work day.
4
Use computer energy savings settings
Strategy to encourage staff to use computer energy saving settings.

Data Center

ID Name Description
1
Reduce Data Center by 5%
Reduce Data Center energy usage by 5% through strategies involving consolidating IT system redundancies, upgrading Energy Star certified servers, and migrating to a cloud service.
2
Reduce Data Center by 30%
Reduce Data Center energy usage by 30% through strategies involving consolidating IT system redundancies, upgrading Energy Star certified servers, and migrating to a cloud service.
3
Reduce Data Center by 50%
Reduce Data Center energy usage by 50% through strategies involving consolidating IT system redundancies, upgrading Energy Star certified servers, and migrating to a cloud service.

Electrical

ID Name Description
1
DC Power Distribution (Power over Ethernet)
Use energy generated by on-site solar panels to directly power select lights or appliances using DC power to avoid inverter inefficiencies.

HVAC

ID Name Description
1
Floor-by-floor ASHP A/C with AHU
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a floor-by-floor ASHP AC system with AHU.
2
Floor-by-floor ASHP VRF with DOAS
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a floor-by-floor ASHP VRF system and a DOAS for ventilation.
3
Floor-by-floor WSHP A/C with AHU Cooling Tower ASHP for heat balance
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a floor-by-floor WSHP AC system with AHU cooling tower for heat balance.
4
Floor-by-floor WSHP VRF + DOAS Cooling Tower ASHP for heat balance
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a floor-by-floor WSHP VRF with a DOAS cooling tower ASHP for heat balance.
5
Centralized ASHP VRF + DOAS
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a central ASHP VRF system and a DOAS for ventilation.
6
Centralized ASHP chiller DOAS FCU
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a central ASHP chiller and a DOAS FCU.
7
100% GSHP Chiller A/C with AHU
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a full load GSHP Chiller with an AHU.
8
20% GSHP + ASHP Chiller A/C with AHU
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a partial load GSHP and central modular ASHP chiller AC with AHU
9
100% GSHP Chiller Floor-by-floor WSHP VRF + DOAS
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with a full load GSHP and floor-by-floor WSHP VRF system and a DOAS for ventilation.
10
Sewage heat pump (SHP) + Centralized WSHP Chiller with AHU
Replace floor-by-floor DX AC units and perimeter steam heating with SHP and central module WSHP heat recovery chiller with AHU.
11
Air cleaners to reduce required ventilation rates monitoring (Minimum Outdoor Airflow Using the IAQ Procedure)
Replace existing particulate filters with dry-scrubbing filter to reduce required ventilation rates without compromising heath and safety. Variance is required in NYC.

Controls

ID Name Description
1
Demand Control Ventilation
Add demand control ventilation to reduce heating and cooling loads.
2
Relax setpoints (Completely)
Relax setpoints in transient spaces (kitchen and corridor) from heating and cooling setpoints of 72F and 75F to 68F and 80F.
3
Relax Setpoints (Partially)
Partially relax setpoints in office and conference rooms from heating and cooling setpoints of 72F and 75F to 68F and 78F.

Water

ID Name Description
1
Low Flow Faucets & Fixtures
Upgrade existing faucets and fixtures to low flow faucets and fixtures to conserve water.
2
Rain water harvesting
Add a rain water harvesting system for irrigation and flushing toilets to conserve water.
ID Name Description
1
Dedicated off-hour working space
Enforce a workplace strategy to limit off-hour working, weekdays from 7 pm to 6 am and weekends, to one floor.
2
Circadian lighting-office and conference room upgrade only
Replace existing fluorescent light fixtures with circadian lighting to improve health, well-being, and performance for employees.
3
Operable Windows - natural ventilation
Shut off systems and use operable windows to take advantage of available free cooling to reduce heating and cooling consumption.