Monday, July 20, 2009

ASHRAE Meeting Highlights Existing Buildings


The ASHRAE 2009 Annual Conference held in Louisville highlighted the need to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings.

At the meeting, ASHRAE introduced a year-long focus on existing buildings. "In these economic times, dollars for new construction have dwindled," said Gordon Holness, ASHRAE president. "Given that more people are renovating than building new, now is the perfect time for ASHRAE to focus on reducing energy consumption in existing buildings to save money and reduce carbon emissions."

Gordon Holness, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, was inducted as the Society's president for 2009-2010. Holness addresses energy efficiency in existing buildings through his presidential theme, Sustaining our Future by Rebuilding Our Past.

"The vast majority of buildings that will exist in the year 2030 exist today," Holness said. "If we are to have a material impact on overall energy use, it is through renovation of existing building stock. While existing buildings present greater challenges, they offer us a greater opportunity to significantly impact our overall national energy demand, reduce our dependence upon imported oil and gas and minimize our carbon footprint. If ASHRAE is looking to build a sustainable future, we can set the foundations of that right now."

To read his presidential address, visit www.ashrae.org/holness.

To learn more about products and services that can help you improve the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of your existing building, visit Marspec's Website.

Source:

ASHRAE Press Release 07/02/09
Contact: Wendy Angel, Public Relations, wangel@ashrae.org