Energy Department to Promote High Performance Buildings by Lew Sichelman Much of the government's effort to persuade the citizenry to curb energy usage has been concentrated in the residential sector. But 32 percent of the electricity generated in the United States goes to heat, cool, light, and ventilate commercial structures. Which is why the Energy Department is joining with the private sector in an effort to focus on improving the utility, comfort, quality and cost-effectiveness of efficiency in office, industrial and retail structures. The goal is to save businesses money and reduce the impact of energy generation on global climate change and the environment. The Commercial High Performance Buildings project will identify and publicize innovative "whole building" approaches that improve the quality and efficiency of non-residential buildings. Architects who subscribe to the whole building approach consider the structure as a complete system rather than a collection of independent components. Such a strategy can have significant effects on design and construction, resulting in, say, a smaller, more efficient and less expensive HVAC system or other money saving improvements. The venture is bringing together a diverse group, including not only designers but building owners and managers, engineers and allied professionals, HVAC equipment makers, insulation manufacturers and other producers of building materials, even interior working environment specialists. The focus of the project's initial phase will be on raising awareness among these professionals of noteworthy buildings that save energy and are environmentally sustainable. Later, the venture will look at buildings and developments that demonstrate high performance site assessment and design. Information on high performance commercial buildings is available at www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/highperformance/ | 
