A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat to or from the ground, using the ground as a heat sink in the summer and heat source in the winter. It can be significantly more energy efficient than an air source heat pump.

This second volume of the Advanced Simulation Guidebook series is intended to teach readers about the high performance building process for commercial new construction. The goal of the high performance building process is to create buildings that meet owner and occupant needs in terms of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and other sustainability areas-and do so in a way that reduces the necessary design effort and construction cost impact.

This brief explores techniques for identifying and solving pump system problems commonly encountered in existing buildings during retro-commissioning processes.

New high-intensity fluorescents outshine their high-intensity discharge competitors. They are often more efficient and feature lower lumen depreciation rates, better dimming options, instant start-up, and better color rendition.

By using recommended design methods for rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, significant improvements in operational savings, energy efficiency, and indoor comfort can be achieved.

Tight design timelines can compromise the design team's ability to consider factors like life cycle cost, distribution efficiency,access, maintainability, and system integration.

By understanding climatic conditions that are specific to a project's location, design teams are able to develop climate responsive building designs. The result is a building that utilizes less energy and provides a high quality and comfortable environment for the occupants.

In projects all over the country, building-industry professionals are finding that commissioned buildings are more energy efficient, more comfortable, and easier to maintain.

In a typical building, providing design details can save an owner approximately 5% - 15% in energy costs. Building owners are spending more money on complex building systems than ever before and yet many find they have building system problems. Providing design details on construction documents can reduce these problems and save money.

Through design review, owners can maximize a building's energy efficiency and save both capitaland operating costs. Energy-efficient design can be improved by design review. A process of review both enhances design and fosters communication between designers, owners, and builders

To assure a project's success, the design team needs to be involved in the construction process. Developing well-detailed construction documents is an important first step in achieving energy and resource efficient projects. However, projects are not successfully completed until the building and its systems are constructed, commissioned, and fully operational according to the design intent.

The common practice of running air ducts through the ceiling may be, well, upside-down. Putting air systems under raised flooring can reduce building operating costs and improve HVAC equipment efficiency and occupant comfort.

Building commissioning helps ensure that building systems operate efficiently, meet the needs of the end user, function as designed, and maintain occupant comfort. The initial costs of commissioning are recovered many times over through increased operating savings, improved staff performance, and avoidance of costly construction problems.