Rumsey Engineers announced today that they are the recipients of the National ASHRAE First Place 2010 Technology Award for the IDeAs Z' Building, the first net zero energy commercial office building in the U.S. ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) created the Technology Award to recognize outstanding achievements by members who have successfully applied innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy conservation. Their designs incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and IAQ. Building performance is proven through one year of actual, verifiable operating data.

The IDeAs Z' Design Facility project is an innovative remodel of a commercial office building in San Jose, California and the new headquarters of Integrated Design Associates, Inc. (IDeAs), an electrical engineering consulting firm. Rumsey Engineers designed the mechanical systems for this 7,200 square foot building to meet 100% of its net energy requirements using renewable energy from photovoltaics - totally eliminating the use of fossil fuels. A radiant floor cooling slab coupled with a ground-source heat pump provides heating and cooling. Other energy and water efficient features include: natural ventilation; lighting control systems with occupancy sensors; daylighting dimming controls; low flow toilets and faucets; and waterless urinals. The project transformed a commonplace building into the nation's first net zero energy and zero carbon emission, or "Z squared (Z')" commercial building.

The intent of the design was to demonstrate how careful planning and sustainable design techniques can achieve ultra high energy efficiency, excellent comfort for occupants, and reach net zero energy - all by using current technologies at an affordable price. The building uses approximately 56,000 kWh of energy per year, 43% below the 2005 California Title 24 energy requirements and about 60% below the ASHRAE 90.1-1999 requirements. The success of this project proves that highly energy efficient design can be affordable and feasible across a wide spectrum of commercial building projects, both new and retrofits.

Rumsey Engineers is an Oakland California-based mechanical engineering firm that specializes in the design of simple, elegant, cost-effective HVAC systems for critical and green building environments.

For additional information see: www.rumseyengineers.com

Integral Group

Integral Group

Integral Group (formerly Rumsey Engineers) is an interactive global network of design professionals collaborating under a single deep green engineering umbrella. We specialize in the design of simple, elegant, cost-effective systems for high performance buildings.

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