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The Huntington Veterans Administration Medical Center implemented a large retrofit of faucets and showerheads in its 1-South section, which contains offices, clinics, a surgery unit, patient rooms, and laboratories. Conducted in 2007, the retrofit was part of the medical center’s Green Environmental Management Service initiative. New 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) laminar flow faucets replaced 178 outdated 2.5 gpm models. A laminar flow head delivers tiny side-by-side streams of water that provide a
continuous flow and maintain a low flow rate. Laminar faucets tend to have less splashing and lend a smooth feel to the water. The initiative also converted 33 showerheads from 2.2 gpm to 1.75 gpm models with flow restrictor style heads.

Plug and process loads (PPLs) in commercial buildings account for almost 5% of U.S. primary energy consumption. Minimizing these loads is a primary challenge in the design and operation of an energy-efficient building. PPLs are not related to general lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, and water heating, and typically do not provide comfort to the occupants. They use an increasingly large fraction of the building energy use pie because the number and variety of electrical devices have increased along with building system efficiency. Reducing PPLs is difficult because energy efficiency opportunities and the equipment needed to address PPL energy use in office spaces are poorly understood.

This document describes how, for the Research Support Facility to cost-effectively reach net-zero energy with a firm fixed price, all cost-effective energy efficiency strategies had to be fully integrated into its design. These include maximizing daylighting, radiant heating and cooling with dedicated outdoor air systems, and integrating energy efficiency into the building architecture.

This report discusses miscellaneous electrical loads, which are building loads that are not related to general lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, and water heating, and typically do not provide comfort to the occupants. MELs in commercial buildings account for almost 5% of U.S. primary energy consumption.

The Research Support Facility was designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Many of its innovative technologies use passive and active processes to provide energy for its operations, such as electricity, heating, and cooling. The goal of this unique office building is to reach net zero energy use by engaging staff in best energy practices.

This eight-page fact sheet helps employees moving to the RSF navigate NREL's changing landscape. This brochure provides getting up and running, building access, emergencies, shuttle service, RTD buses, parking locations, parking passes, exceptions to off-site parking, conference rooms and huddle rooms, balconies, elevators, lunchroom, quiet rooms, smoking, iGo Power Smart Tower, and supporting RSF's net zero energy mission.

This report describes the psychrometric bin analysis that was conducted for the ASHRAE recommended and allowable operating environment zones as well as a modified allowable operating environment, discusses control strategies, and presents examples of energy-efficient data centers using alternative cooling strategies.

This case study describes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) data center as a showcase of energy efficiency. Most of what NREL has done can be replicated by clients; however, two design approaches are climate-dependent: near-full reliance on outside air for cooling, and photovoltaic arrays for power.

This publication details the design, implementation strategies, and continuous performance monitoring of NREL's Research Support Facility data center.

This case study details the design and operations of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Research Support Facility data center and its contributions to energy efficiency.