Seventeen addenda to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2010, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, are currently open for public review. 

Among them are five proposed changes related to HVAC+R equipment efficiencies. These include addendum bp, which would add minimum efficiencies for evaporative condensers used in ammonia based refrigeration systems, and updates references to cooling tower standards published by the Cooling Technology Institute.

Specifically, the proposed requirements of addendum bp will help users to select energy efficient evaporative condensers as well as encourage manufacturers to develop more energy efficient designs in the future. It is also anticipated that future editions will incorporate requirements for an independent, third-party thermal performance certification program for evaporate condensers, which has proven successful for both open and closed circuit cooling towers. 

Also among the proposed changes to the standard is addendum bh, which would modify the long-standing interior space-by-space lighting power density (LPD) tables for a variety of purposes, according to Eric Richman, chair of the lighting subcommittee. This includes an adjustment to some of the space type LPDs based on the light level design recommendations found in the new 10th edition Lighting Handbook published by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

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