Case Studies

• BigHorn Home Improvement Center

  A SMALL RETAIL BUILDING – Information from this case study was originally featured in the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings for Climate Zone 7.

  This commercial facility features numerous energy-saving innovations. Extensive daylighting and natural ventilation cooling systems lower energy demand. Bragging a standing-seam roof-integrated photovoltaic system, the largest commercial PV array in the state, BigHorn has set up a net metering agreement to sell electricity back to the utility company.

• NREL Thermal Test Facility (TTF)

  A SMALL OFFICE BUILDING – This case study, located in Climate Zone 6, demonstrates the potential for savings beyond 30% with aggressive strategies and integrated design.

  The main environmental benefit of the building is its significant reduction in energy use. A thorough analysis has shown that the TTF use 63% less energy, by cost, than an equivalent code-compliant building for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and lighting.

• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests--French Wing

  A SMALL OFFICE BUILDING – Information from this Case Study was featured in the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings for Climate Zone 6.

  The French Wing of SPNHF's Concord headquarters is a state-of-the-art workplace. SPNHF used local trees from the site to help build the new wing, including the white pines cut to facilitate the move of the existing house. Other native lumber, green-certified lumber, and engineered lumber (made from small-diameter trees) also were incorporated. Other features include natural daylighting, heating with solar energy and a wood-chip gasifier, composting toilets, and a graywater system for watering interior planters.

• Gilman Ordway Building at the Woods Hole Research Center

  A SMALL OFFICE BUILDING – Information from this Case Study was featured in the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings for Climate Zone 5.

  By giving close attention to all aspects of environmentally intelligent design, the project seeks to demonstrate how modern construction can "harmonize with a habitable earth" and preserve the functional integrity of the landscape. And, by providing a healthy, comfortable, and enjoyable workplace filled with daylight and fresh air, the Center hopes to enhance productivity and job satisfaction of its staff.

• Zion National Park Visitor Center

  A SMALL RETAIL BUILDING – Information from this Case Study was featured in the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings for Climate Zone 5.

  Several effective energy features were included in this project: daylighting, Trombe walls for passive solar heating, downdraft cooltowers for natural ventilation cooling, energy-efficient lighting, and advanced building controls. A roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system provides electric power. This project will save roughly $14,000 and about 10 kW of electric demand per year through these energy-saving measures.