How Should Efficiency be Promoted in Older Buildings?

Along those lines, you can consider non-traditional approaches--one I've considered--when remodeling an exterior room, add a layer of something like styrofoam (or one of those better foam insulations) with a new layer of drywall (or similar) over it. A little bit of trim work around windows and doors, and you can substantially increase the insulation.

An extra inch or two in thickness of one or two walls will not be noticeable in terms of reducing interior space.

If the original exterior wall was not insulated, I'd also cut necessary access holes and blow insulation into the old walls. The new layer of foam and drywall will hide all of that.

Good points but I think they're asking more about commercial buildings. If it's an older building it has R-1 windows. So a full face glass facade can really heat up when exposed to direct sun. By going with dual pane and argon they get R-3 or better. The Empire State building recently did that. I don't recall the exact number but their payback was a few years. After that they were actually saving huge money annually ....which buys more insulation or LED lighting, etc.

GA Fredski,

Work to solve the problem from the envelope of the building in. When it comes time to redo the roof, add a layer of insulation. Find ways to get rid of some of the heat load generated in the building before it heats up all the surrounding area. Passive ways like this are the way to start, only then do you work on the cooling side of the process. Othewise it's like starting to mop up the water without turning off the faucet on the overflowing sink.

While researching methods for residential adobe I found many, many technical solutions available for older commercial buildings from the brick era. From interior coatings to glazing upgrades.

The promotion however should take care of itself, it did in my case; fuel costs were killing me.

So when the heating and cooling isn't subsidized it eventually becomes imperative to upgrade. But given the driving factors in commercial real estate I suspect energy costs are low on the totem pole and probably tax deductible - ergo subsidized. That drives the costs artificially low and makes the case for upgrades that much more difficult.

For existing buildings it isn't so easy to make energy efficiency improvements, so careful must be taken when deciding policies to promote efficiency.

There are a few I consider important to implement it:

1)Establish a energetic classification for buildings and create different taxa rates for each of them. Necessary to give some time for owners to make improvements and remember older buildings hardly achieve an A rate.

2) Create progressive increase cost prices for energy service according to the amount of energy spent.

3) Promote a system of funds to support projects which present significant improvements in older buildings.

Of course if the society isn't educated in the need of sustainability and energy efficiency we will never achieve our goals in order to preserve our planet.

Tiago Pinho

Single speed HVAC Systems are being upgraded with new microprocessor (Variable speed) control systems. These retrofit systems control the compressor refrigerant flow to a more precise level and are driven by building requirements.

This technology has only been available internationally for the last few years, but is now starting to become available domestically. There have been some substantial energy savings made with this technology (30-40%) and some savvy companies are now taking notice and installing this system. The domestic website is http://www.thetechnologyconsortium.com.

Most of the time it will be worth the initial investment in the long run. Older buildings are harder to convert into being completely energy efficient but it depends on the situation. Chico air conditioning experts have always advocating upgrading older units in the home.

We agree in new building construction it is a lot easier. Does anyone have past experiences with upgrading Los Angeles air conditioning units? This seems to be a difficult task for many.

It's true that it is easier to add these new systems when you are building from scratch, but its not impossible when you are remodeling. When I was remodeling a home I just called an hvac specialist and he really helped me. We figured out the best ways to get a new and efficient hvac system installed that wasn't too costly. I would call one near you.

http://WWW.EXTREMESONEHOUR.COM

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