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by Patrick Broemeling


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Green Building Task Force
- Public Comments

 

 

Prioritizing Incentive Dollars: Existing v. New Construction Comments

1/19/09 11:26 AM by David Bangs
I really want to see home energy upgrades. The problem that the committee has overlooked is the lack of an industry to do the work. In other states, there are Home Performance Contractors accredited under the "Home Performance with Energy Star Program." Please consider adopting measures that will direct incentive dollars to contractors who will use diagnostics and building science to implement Whole Home energy solutions.

12/31/08 7:56 AM by Duane Jonlin
More energy can be saved per dollar invested through investments in new construction or substantial alterations than through upgrades to existing buildings. However, it will be more effective to mandate that energy efficiency through more stringent energy codes. New construction incentives should be reserved for only those projects with significant energy performance beyond the new code, and even then this may be more appropriate to be funded by City Light and PSE through existing programs. Perhaps the City's money could be better invested in providing expert help with energy modeling and other matters of compliance with new energy codes. An analysis of existing building types should be undertaken to determine which sectors would provide the most energy savings per dollar invested. This might already be known by companies that specialize in energy retrofit projects.

12/15/08 1:28 PM by Jennifer Lail - DPD Green Building
KEY QUESTIONS: ? Should there be a need to prioritize scarce resources, how should the City approach this decision? ? Are incentives for new construction more critical than those for upgrades to existing buildings? ? Are there particular sectors or classes of buildings that should receive priority for funding?

  3 total comments  

 

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