NAIOP recently released a study on levels of achievable energy efficiency in standard office buildings. According to their press release, the study takes an important step forward in presenting realistic economic data and practical information into what developers can do to increase efficiencies while maintaining a 10-year payback.

Using a recently completed four-story, 95,000-square-foot, Class A office building as the prototype, the research modeled the prototype in three climate zones represented by Chicago, Ill.; Baltimore, Md.; and Newport Beach, Calif.

Findings show that although significant energy efficiencies can be achieved (varying by climate zone), reaching a 30 percent reduction above the ASHRAE standard is not feasible using common design approaches and would exceed a 10-year payback. The study concluded that achieving a 50 percent reduction above the standard is not currently reachable.

To read the entire report, click here.