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City Contemplates Changes to Energy Code

SEATTLE-In an effort to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings, local officials will host three public hearings to discuss proposed changes to the city's energy code. The first meeting begins on Wednesday evening.

By Gina Binole | Updated on August 14, 2001

SEATTLE-After 22 public meetings, city officials are poised this week to discuss proposed changes to the city’s energy code, which should result in an overall 10 percent improvement in efficiency for non-residential buildings.

According to city staffers, proposed alterations for the building envelope include: glazing to have low-e coatings and solar control coatings, better insulation for walls, increased insulation for semi-heated spaces; easy pre-calculated/prescriptive credits for glass solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in lieu of shading coefficient (SC), overhangs/setbacks, north windows, slab edge and tapered roof insulation; more default tables for mass walls and overhead glazing.

For the mechanical systems, major changes include: increasing minimum equipment efficiencies and motor efficiencies, more use of outside air for cooling in lieu of mechanical refrigeration, better motors (electronically-commutated) for fans in ceiling mixing boxes, limits on damper leakage, better duct sealing, clarification of the commissioning requirements, better controls for parking garage ventilation, and requirements to complement water conservation programs.

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