This page contains energy management resources for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to support the management of utilities and the development and implementation of energy and water conservation projects, as well as general energy management technical assistance.
Financing Energy and Water Projects
Energy and Water Conservation Videos
Distributed generation refers to electricity generated from sources (often renewable energy sources) near the point of use instead of centralized generation sources from power plants. Distributed generation may serve a single structure, such as a home or business, or it may be part of a microgrid (a smaller grid that is also tied into the larger electricity delivery system) such as at a major industrial facility, a military base, or a large college campus.
When connected to the electric utility’s lower voltage distribution lines, distributed generation can help support the delivery of clean, reliable power to additional customers and reduce electricity losses along transmission and distribution lines.
Facility systems are groups of equipment and structures within facilities that provide comfort, security, and utility. These systems are mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building envelope systems that provide heat, air conditioning, electricity, surveillance, water, and other functions for a facility. These systems are essential to the health, safety, comfort, and energy and water profile of the facility.
Boilers
A boiler is a closed vessel that generates heat by using electricity or burning fuel, such as natural gas or oil, to produce hot water or steam. It plays a crucial role in heating buildings and powering various industrial processes that require heated fluids.
Building Controls and Systems
Building controls and energy management systems use computer-aided tools to monitor, control, and optimize the use of energy and resources. Energy management systems can automate the demand of building systems such as lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and water consumption to reduce unnecessary consumption of utilities, thus decreasing utility costs. These systems can also provide aspects of physical and cyber-security to provide additional benefits and safety for residents.
- U.S. DOE Building Controls
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Home and Building Energy Management Systems
Building Envelope: Windows, Doors, Roofs, and Insulation
A building envelope is the physical separation between indoor, conditioned spaces and the outside unconditioned environment. A building envelope includes the roof, doors, windows, walls, penetrations, foundation, and floors of a structure. A properly designed building envelope allows ventilation, proper air movement, and sufficient lighting while minimizing the demands of heating and cooling.
- U.S. DOE Better Buildings Building Envelope Resources
- Whole Building Design Group – Building Envelope Design Guide
- Insulation Institute - Residential Insulation Standards
- Insulation Institute - Commercial Building Insulation Standards
- EnergyStar.Gov Recommended Home Insulation R–Values
- VIDEO: Weatherization Plus Health
- VIDEO: Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me: Minimally Invasive (to occupants) Exterior Retrofits
HVAC is the technology and systems used to control and maintain indoor environments by regulating temperature, humidity, and air quality. It encompasses a variety of components, such as furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductwork, filters, and thermostats, which work together to provide comfortable and healthy indoor environments in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
- U.S. DOE Heating and Cooling
- U.S. DOE Heat Pump System
- U.S. EPA Energy Star Heating and Cooling
- U.S. EPA Indoor Air Quality in Multifamily Housing
- Association of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- VIDEO: Once Upon a Replacement: Water Heating and HVAC
Lighting refers to the artificial illumination of spaces using various sources such as lamps, fixtures, lighting controls, and bulbs. Effective lighting design considers factors like energy efficiency, color temperature, and appropriate light levels to meet functional needs while minimizing energy consumption. Lighting controls are used to adjust the lighting levels in a space based on occupancy, time of day, and daylight availability. Setting appropriate lighting/illumination standards is important to ensure that lighting levels are suitable for the intended use of the space, while minimizing energy consumption and reducing glare.
- U.S. DOE LED Lighting
- U.S. DOE Lighting Controls
- U.S. EPA Energy Star Certified Lighting Fixtures
- VIDEO: The Lowest of Low...Hanging Fruit: Water Fixtures & Lighting (YouTube Video)
Motors are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Facilities use motors in appliances such as washing machines, fans, air conditioners and industrial equipment. Motors can consume a significant amount of energy, accounting for up to 70% of the energy used in residential facilities. Electric motors offer efficient, dependable, and durable performance with low maintenance requirements. However, if they're not appropriately specified and maintained, they may lead to energy waste and higher energy costs despite their benefits.
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/motor-systems
- https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/better-plants/motors
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/motors
A steam distribution system is a network of pipes and valves that are used to distribute steam throughout a building or facility for heating or power generation purposes. These systems are important because they provide a reliable source of heat or power that can be used in a variety of applications. They are also more energy-efficient than other heating systems, which can help reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Note that while they are more energy-efficient than other heating systems, they can also be a source of high energy usage if they are not properly maintained or if the distribution system is outdated. Regular maintenance and upgrades to the distribution system can help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/steam-systems
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/articles/steam-system-survey-guide
The availability of funding is essential to support investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, and other clean energy infrastructure investments. Here are a few resources:
- U.S. EPA Clean Energy Finance Tools
- U.S. DOE Funding and Financing
- National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Energy Financing
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
- Build for the Future
- VIDEO: Energy 101: Intro to Energy Efficiency – Building Retrofits With Positive Return on Investment
Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural resources that are replenished over time such as biomass, geothermal resources, solar, water, and wind. Renewable energy sources can be used to provide resiliency, generate electricity and produce heat which supports carbon reduction goals.
- VIDEO: Building Decarbonization and On-site Generation
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy
- https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-renewable-energy-benefits-and-resources#two
Battery Storage is a way to store electricity on-site in batteries so it can be released later when it is needed. The electric power grid operates based on a delicate balance between supply (generation) and demand (consumer use). One way to help balance fluctuations in electricity supply and demand is to store electricity during periods of relatively high production and low demand, then release it back to the electric power grid during periods of lower production or higher demand.
In some cases, storage may provide economic, reliability, and environmental benefits. Depending on the extent to which it is deployed, electricity storage could help the utility grid operate more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of brownouts during peak demand, and allow for more renewable resources to be built and used. It may also provide resiliency benefits. For example, pairing solar with battery storage can help make solar energy available during outages for critical needs such as powering resident medical equipment.
In the context of building performance, benchmarking is using existing energy consumption data to model a building’s energy efficiency against comparable buildings. Utility bills are entered into a database, along with information about a building’s location, square footage and types of mechanical systems. The model compares a building’s consumption against similar buildings to measure its energy consumption against an average. The results provide building managers with information about excessive energy consumption that can be used to pinpoint problem systems – i.e. water usage is elevated compared to similar buildings, which prompts a building manager to investigate possible leaking.
Commissioning, recommissioning, and retro commissioning are processes that ensure that a building's mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems are designed, installed, and programmed to work efficiently and effectively. These processes help to reduce energy usage, improve indoor air quality, and ensure that the building is safe, comfortable, and functional.
- Commissioning involves a thorough review of a building's systems and equipment to ensure that they are installed and operating correctly. This includes testing, adjusting, and balancing of the HVAC systems, verifying the functionality of the electrical systems, and ensuring that all equipment is working as intended.
- Recommissioning is similar to commissioning, but it is carried out on an existing building that has already been commissioned in the past.
- Retro-commissioning involves the same steps as commissioning, but it is carried out on an existing building that has never been commissioned before. By identifying and addressing issues with the building's systems, commissioning, recommissioning, and retro commissioning can help to optimize the building's performance and reduce its environmental impact.
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/ae-guidelines_appendixb.pdf
- https://www.energy.gov/node/727996
Compressed air systems are mechanical systems that use compressed air to power a wide range of tools and equipment, such as air compressors, pneumatic tools, and air motors. These systems are commonly used to power manufacturing equipment, HVAC systems, and other machinery. Compressed air systems are designed to be safe, reliable, and efficient, and they require regular maintenance and optimization to ensure that they operate correctly and efficiently.
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/compressed-air-systems
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXzd6-44frQ&t=378s&ab_channel=BetterBuildings
Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), is a process that produces two useful forms of energy from a single fuel source. This is more efficient than separate production of electricity and thermal energy and can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- https://www.epa.gov/chp/chp-energy-and-emissions-savings-calculator
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/combined-heat-and-power-basics
Energy audits are an important tool for identifying ways to reduce energy consumption and costs in facilities by assessing facility systems and their respective utility use. An energy audit will assess your home's energy and water use and identify areas where you can save energy and water.
- VIDEO: Simplifying Energy Audits for Single Family and Multifamily Buildings
- https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/home-energy-assessments
Energy codes are regulations that set minimum standards for energy efficiency in buildings. These codes are designed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving indoor comfort and air quality. Compliance with energy codes is mandatory for new construction and major renovations in most jurisdictions. Energy codes typically set requirements for building envelope insulation, lighting, HVAC systems, and renewable energy systems.
- VIDEO: Energy Codes, Standards, and Certifications: To the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and Beyond
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/energy-codes-101-what-are-they-and-what-does-role
Thermal Storage is a technology that allows excess thermal energy to be stored for later use. This technology can be used in a variety of applications, including heating and cooling systems, renewable energy sources, and industrial processes. By storing excess heat or cold, thermal storage systems can help reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods, when energy costs are typically higher. Thermal storage can be a cost-effective way to reduce energy consumption, improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, and provide backup during outages.
Utility rates are the prices charged by utility companies for the use of the energy commodity (e.g. electricity, natural gas, propane, etc) and their services. They can vary depending on location, type of service, time of day, and other factors.
Metering is the process of measuring and recording energy and water usage in a building. In housing facilities it helps to identify areas of high energy consumption and potential energy savings. Metering can also help to detect any energy waste or inefficiencies in the building's systems.
- https://www.energy.gov/femp/metering-federal-building
- https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/metering-best-practices-guide-achieving-utility-resource-efficiency-release-30
Utility data management is the process of collecting, analyzing, and using data related to energy and water usage in order to improve energy and water efficiency and reduce utility costs. This data can include information about energy consumption patterns, utility rates, and other factors that affect energy usage. Collecting and analyzing this data, building owners and managers can identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, such as by upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment or implementing new energy management strategies.
Fresh, clean water is a limited natural resource and growing populations increase demand. As water becomes more limited, the cost will continue to increase. Water conservation is the practice of carefully using water to reduce the quantity consumed through unnecessary waste. Household fixtures and appliances can contribute to excess water usage if they are outdated or not properly maintained.
By choosing water efficient energy conservation measures such as faucets, aerators, showerheads, toilets, and appliances, water efficiency can increase. While not an energy conservation measure, proper maintenance of facility systems involving steam, irrigation, and piping will also decrease waste through unnecessary leaks.
- EPA Water Conservation Resources
- EPA WaterSense
- Energy.gov Building Technologies Office
- VIDEO: The Lowest of Low...Hanging Fruit: Water Fixtures & Lighting
- VIDEO: Once Upon a Replacement: Water Heating and HVAC
The following videos are from the Innovations in Energy Efficiency Webinar Series, a collaboration between the Department of Energy and the Department of Housing and Urban Development with a focus on energy efficiency in housing.
The content of the webinars is basic, practical, and actionable with an emphasis on the rehabilitation of single- and multi-family housing. Webinar topics range from an introduction to energy efficiency fundamentals to advanced topics such as exterior retrofits and the latest energy code requirements.
- Energy 101: Intro to Energy Efficiency – Building Retrofits With Positive Return on Investment
- Simplifying Energy Audits for Single Family and Multifamily Buildings
- Weatherization Plus Health
- The Lowest of Low...Hanging Fruit: Water Fixtures & Lighting
- Once Upon a Replacement: Water Heating and HVAC
- Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me: Minimally Invasive (to occupants) Exterior Retrofits
- Building Decarbonization and On-site Generation
- Energy Codes, Standards, and Certifications: To the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and Beyond
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