Additional Project Higlights

California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards
AEC has been leading the team updating the California Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. A complete service is being provided to the CEC, including measure analysis, life-cycle analysis, drafting of proposed changes to the standard, proposed changes to the ACM manuals, updating of the energy conservation manuals, as well as support services.

Effective in 2005, these updated building standards include requirements for outdoor lighting, portable classrooms, residential insulation, demand control ventilation, and water heating systems, among other measures. AEC will also update the Alternative Calculation Manuals and the Compliance Manuals to reflect the changes in the energy standards.

CHPS Best Practices Manual
AEC developed a three-volume Best Practices Manual for high performance schools in California. First published in 2001, Volume I is written for school administrators and project managers and covers the benefits and characteristics of high performance schools. Volume II is written for design professionals and provides detailed information on materials selection, site planning, fenestration and daylighting, HVAC design, other mechanical devices, etc. Volume III outlines the CHPS Criteria, a flexible yardstick that precisely defines a high performance school so that it may qualify for supplemental funding and priority processing. Updated editions of the manuals were published in Summer 2002.

Development has begun for Volume IV of the manual, which will discuss operation and maintenance strategies for keeping high performance schools running at optimum efficiency levels. Improper use of building systems and poor maintenance practices can greatly diminish the energy and cost savings of a high performance school. Written for maintenance staff, teachers, and faculty managers, the topics covered in this manual include cleaning and calibrating building systems, selecting cleaning products, and promoting waste reduction. The publication date for this manual is planned for mid-2003.

View the CHPS Best Practices Manual

NREL/Department of Energy (DOE) Tropical and Arctic/Subartic Design Guidelines
AEC developed a continuing series of seven region-specific Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools. The Tropical Design Guidelines focus on sustainable strategies for schools located in Tropical climates, such as Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Arctic Design Guidelines provide high performance strategies for the three main climates in Alaska: arctic, subarctic and maritime.

Washington Sustainable Schools, Planning Guide and Criteria
AEC developed a Planning Guide and Criteria for high performance schools in Washington. Based on the CHPS Best Practices Manual (Volume I & III), these documents provide Washington-specific high performance strategies for building resource- and energy-efficient schools. The Washington Sustainable Schools Planning Guide provides information on building a school in Washington, including methods for new construction and modernizations. The Washington Sustainable Schools Criteria address all aspects of high performance schools such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, site planning, materials and indoor environmental quality specific to the State of Washington.

CHPS Best Practices Manual, Massachusetts Version
AEC developed a Best Practices Manual for High Performance Schools in the State of Massachusetts. Based on the CHPS Best Practices Manual, this two-volume series explores the design strategies for building resource- and energy-efficient schools in the New England climate. Volume I of the manual provides information for districts on funding and building a school in Massachusetts, as well as case studies featuring high performance schools in the region. Volume II explores detailed design strategies for schools, including daylighting, air barriers, underslab insulation, and fuel cells.