Reducing Energy Consumption in Existing Facilities Through Retrofit Prioritization Improvements
Abstract
The United States Air Force spent $126M on facility energy in fiscal year 2014 and that cost continues to rise. Additionally, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated that the Air Force reduce energy intensity 30 by 2015 compared to a 2003 baseline has not been met. This necessitates an in-depth examination of technologies capable of reducing energy consumption in existing facilities across the spectrum of Air Force operating climates. This research provides retrofit recommendations for existing facilities and examines the Air Force method to prioritize energy projects. This study simulates eight different retrofit technologies and locations to establish retrofit recommendations tailored to Air Force facilities in different climate zones. A life-cycle cost analysis was performed to compare the Air Forces prioritization method to an industry standard method and determine which method provides the greatest return on investment. Results indicate that the best retrofit technology for existing facilities depends on climate. Additionally, the Air Force prioritization method was inconsistent when compared to the industry standard method. Finally, the Air Force prioritization method resulted in lower ROIs when compared to industry standard methods. The results suggest transitioning away from one-size-fits-all retrofits for existing facilities and a poor prioritization method.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1054029
Entities
People
- Jay Calvo
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology