EVALUATION OF THE PLAN TO CONSERVE ENERGY IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS THROUGH RETROFIT PROGRAMS

• NCJ Number: 67891
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: Azimuth Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: THERE IS A CHARGE FOR MORE THAN ONE COPY.

Annotation

THIS GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) 1977 REPORT SUGGESTS SEVERAL WAYS IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) CAN ENHANCE THE RETROFIT PORTION OF ITS 10-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF FEDERAL BUILDINGS.

Abstract

THE GOVERNMENT OWNS OVER 400,000 BUILDINGS WHICH CONSUME ABOUT 753 TRILLION BRITISH THERMAL UNITS (BTU) OF ENERGY ANNUALLY. THIS IS ABOUT 39 PERCENT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL ENERGY USE, COSTING ALMOST $1.7 BILLION. A RETROFIT PROGRAM COULD MINIMIZE THE PREDICTED DOUBLING OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ENERGY EXPENDITURES WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS BY INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT. THE DOE PLAN INCLUDES SEVERAL SOUND PLANNING CONCEPTS THAT SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED IN THE FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL, SUCH AS REQUIRING THAT EACH AGENCY SUBMIT ITS RETROFIT TO DOE FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL, AND ESTABLISHING AGENCY MILESTONES FOR CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED OR EXPANDED IN THE OVERALL PLAN: BETTER PROCEDURES TO EVALUATE AND SELECT RETROFIT PROJECTS, CENTRAL APPROVAL AND FUNDING FOR RETROFIT PROJECTS, CONSIDERATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY WHEN PURCHASING OR REPLACING EQUIPMENT, AND BETTER MARKETING AND USE OF THE RETROFIT HANDBOOK. IMPROVEMENTS IN EVALUATING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) AND CRITERIA TO DISTINGUISH RETROFIT FROM NORMAL REPAIR AND ALTERATION PROJECTS ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT DOE DEVELOP A METHOD FOR EVALUATING AND SELECTING PROJECTS WHICH WILL ACCOUNT FOR BENEFITS OVER A PROJECT'S EXPECTED LIFE AND CONSIDER THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY. IN ADDITION, DOE SHOULD ESTABLISH A CENTRAL APPROVAL PROCEDURE FOR RETROFIT PROJECTS OF ALL AGENCIES, SHOULD REQUIRE PERSONNEL TO CONSIDER ENERGY EFFICIENCY WHEN DEVELOPING BID PACKAGES, AND SHOULD REQUIRE AGENCIES TO USE THE RETROFIT HANDBOOK DEVELOPED BY DOE FOR PERFORMING INITIAL BUILDING SURVEYS. DOE SHOULD ALSO DEVELOP SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR AGENCIES TO FOLLOW TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR AN EMS AND SHOULD DEVELOP A DEFINITION FOR RETROFIT PROJECTS TO DISTINGUISH THEM FROM NORMAL REPAIR AND ALTERATION PROJECTS. (AOP)