1. Daylighting in the Commercial Office
Prepared by the Efficiency Vermont nonprofit, the Daylighting Guide for the Commercial Office addresses programming, space planning, window covering design, workstation panel design, interior surface finishes and electric lighting controls.
Daylighting benefits include healthier and higher quality interior environments for occupants, increased individual productivity and comfort, and mental and visual stimulation necessary for the proper regulation of human brain chemistry.
2. Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide
By presenting general project planning guidance as well as financial payback metrics for the most common energy efficiency measures, the guide provides a practical roadmap for effectively planning and implementing performance improvements for existing buildings.
This guide primarily applies to facility managers and energy managers of large existing office buildings (>100,000 sf) but also includes considerations for small and medium office buildings.
3. Reducing Plug Loads in Offices
A project conducted by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) demonstrates the performance of commercially available advanced power strips (APS) for plug load energy reductions.
An entire 100-occupant office building was retrofitted with APS devices. The power strips automatically cut power to plug loads (devices plugged into electrical outlets) according to an occupant-defined, set schedule. APS energy savings are a function of the time in which appropriate plug loads can be powered down.
4. Indoor Air Quality Tools
The IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit shows how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides information on:
■ Best practices
■ Industry guidelines
■ Sample policies
■ Sample IAQ management plan
A guide for the IAQ Coordinator at the school and district levels offers tips on preventing and solving most indoor air problems.
Know a good online resource? Let the BUILDINGS staff know about it for a future FM Toolbox. Contact [email protected]
