A growing body of research discussing the substantial economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency has led U.S. policymakers, investors, building owners, environmental groups, and design and construction professionals to seek ways to scale up the energy efficiency retrofit market. As the energy-efficiency retrofit market develops, architects are in a position to seize a robust business opportunity by offering a new line of service — deep energy retrofits. These are retrofits that aim to deliver greater energy savings by taking a whole-building approach to energy efficiency.
The AIA and the Rocky Mountain Institute have partnered to produce a new guide that serves to not only demystify energy modeling in general, but also to provide tips and information that will help architects to better discuss energy modeling; the assumptions, the process, the tools and what the output means to potential design decisions — with their engineers, energy modelers, consultants, contractors, code officials and clients.
AIA members can access and download the guide for free.