ASHRAE’s Proposed 90.1 Addendum 
Would Change Skylighting Rules
A proposed addendum to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineer’s (ASHRAE) energy standard will modify envelope requirements to allow the use of more daylight-friendly skylight materials in certain climate zones, potentially increasing energy savings. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings would also require photocontrols with certain skylights.

The standard’s current wording limits the use of high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) plastic skylights that transmit high levels of light in climate zones 1 through 3. This restricts one of the potentially most energy-efficient ways to use skylighting, according to Eric Richman, chair of the 90.1 lighting subcommittee. 

Proposed Addendum d would provide an exemption to the SHGC requirements when high-diffusion skylights are used in conjunction with a multi-level photocontrol system. That kind of system can regulate lighting and save energy by reducing the artificial lighting in buildings when natural lighting reaches a useful level. 

“One result of this change will be to allow for more flexibility in designing skylight systems for energy savings and facility enhancement,” Richman says. “The requirement for lighting controls when daylight is available will create electricity energy savings while reducing inner cooling loads.”

Several other ASHRAE addenda are currently open for public review, which allows interested parties to comment on the technical guidance contained in the documents. Addenda to the following are open for comment:
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2-2007, Energy Efficient Design of Low-Rise Residential Buildings; and
• ASHRAE Guideline 8-1994, Energy Cost Allocation for Multi-Occupancy Residential Buildings 

Proposed ASHRAE standards, guidelines and addenda to standards are available only during public review periods. www.ashrae.org/publicreviews

Gorell Is Once Again Energy Star’s^® Partner Of The Year 
Gorell Windows & Doors in Indiana, Pa., has once again been recognized as the only door and window manufacturer in the country to receive the Energy Star^® Partner of the Year “Sustained Excellence” Award. Gorell received the award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the second consecutive year because of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. 

Gorell is the only window manufacturer in the country to receive the Sustained Excellence Award, an honor bestowed on organizations that have won Energy Star Partner of the Year three or more consecutive times. This marks the fourth consecutive year that DOE recognized Gorell as a Partner of the Year.

“Partners like Gorell are national leaders in energy efficiency,” says Alexander Karsner, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the DOE. “Gorell’s long-term commitment to energy efficiency is good for business, the environment, consumers—and the country as a whole.”

“To receive the Sustained Excellence Award again—and to consistently be named Energy Star Partner of the Year—says a lot about Gorell and the products we make,” says Mike Rempel, president of Gorell. “More than 93 percent of the windows we manufactured in 2006 qualified for the Energy Star label because our windows are designed and made exceptionally well. This is no small accomplishment.” www.gorell.com

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