AHR EXPO NEWS: Daikin Survey Finds ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Guides US Energy Codes

A recent survey of commercial HVAC industry professionals indicates that most (92 percent) base purchasing decisions on whether equipment complies with ASHRAE 90.1, an industry standard that heavily influences commercial building energy codes in the United States.

Today, Daikin Applied shared findings from the online survey of AHR Expo attendees. Of 183 respondents, 88 percent are HVAC-industry contractors and engineers.  Respondents provided input on the expected impact ASHRAE 90.1-2016 will have on the industry in the years to come.

“Survey results show that meeting efficiency standards is becoming a much more important component to the value equation,” said Susan Kaufman, Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Daikin Applied. “At Daikin, our premier products in several categories align with important energy standards like ASHRAE 90.1. We want our customers and end users to feel confident their HVAC equipment will achieve and exceed these thresholds.” 

When asked about updates announced last year, 62 percent agreed the change in ASHRAE’s 90.1-2016 that will have the most impact is the new requirement for replacement HVAC equipment to comply with minimum energy efficiency requirements outlined for new equipment in the 90.1-2013 standard.

Additional findings offer valuable insight on how ASHRAE 90.1 influences HVAC professionals in their day-to-day role as advisers to building owners and facilities managers.      

ASHRAE 90.1 Considered Most-influential Commercial Standard

HVAC professionals are engaged and paying attention to changes in energy efficiency standards. Respondents said proficiency in changes is relevant or critical to their job (86 percent) and in helping provide strategic guidance to customers to help them achieve their goals. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) selected ASHRAE 90.1 as having the most impact on their decision-making process at work.  Many said ASHRAE 90.1 is the most important energy efficiency standard because it’s the basis for others, and is what is referenced in the state they work in when building codes are adopted.

IECC (36 percent) and LEED (31 percent) are other influential building standards that HVAC industry professionals are paying attention to.

Government Regs, Energy Efficiency Drive Compliance with Energy Standards

Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents said government regulations are the primary driver of a project’s compliance with new energy standards, while 26 percent cited energy efficiency as the most important factor. Failure to comply with regulations could result in costly fines or penalties, but reducing a building’s energy consumption has financial benefits. Many utility companies offer rebates or incentives based on efficiency. 

Beyond regulations, other important factors that propel adoption include:

• State reputation as a front runner in adopting new energy codes
• The opportunity to capitalize on cost savings and rebates
• Advancements in building system technologies that make it easier to adopt building code changes

Daikin Products Aligned with ASHRAE 90.1-2016

With continued development of next-generation commercial HVAC technology, Daikin Applied is helping transform the industry by delivering smarter, more configurable building technologies that empower owners and managers to optimize building environments.  With the right selections, all of Daikin Applied products displayed at AHR Expo align with ASHRAE 90.1-2016. Daikin is proud to feature the following code compliant products at AHR 2017:

• Daikin’s premier chillers: Magnitude® WME, Trailblazer® and the Pathfinder® AWV with industry-first Variable Volume Ratio technology. Pathfinder is the 2017 AHR Innovation Award winner in the chiller category. 
• Daikin Applied’s rooftop  product line of Rebel, RoofPak, and Maverick II ranging from 3 -140 tons can be configured with economizers and optional indoor fans with variable speed control that meet the standard’s  indoor fan power per CFM requirement.  With Daikin’s inverter compressor option, the products can exceed the energy standard for full load EER and part load IEER.
• Vision® and Skyline® Air Handlers with economizers, indoor fan speed control and fan power per CFM 
• All of Daikin Applied’s water source heat pumps, including SmartSource® Vertical Compact Water Source Heat Pump.

To learn more about these and other innovative solutions from Daikin at AHR Expo, visit booth #C2509 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.