Seattle Energy Code
Sources of Information On Energy Efficiency

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development enforces the Seattle Energy Code. While the Seattle Energy Code has received recognition for being progressive, a code only sets minimum energy efficiency requirements. The Seattle Energy Code should not be considered a high benchmark or the only standard of reference for the design community because, as they say, building it any worse would be illegal.

In addition, there are many other aspects of energy consumption in buildings that the Seattle Energy Code does not address. For example, the most energy efficient nonresidential buildings tend to include daylighting as a central component, a feature that requires a coordinated effort by the designers to integrate the building envelope, mechanical and lighting systems. Also, to achieve the highest level of energy efficiency, other components must be addressed, such as computers and other equipment in nonresidential buildings and such as refrigerators and other appliances in residential buildings. Any design seeking to be labeled as energy efficient should address all of these aspects. Through careful design, and careful product selection, and thorough building commissioning, much greater energy efficiency can be achieved. The following sources provide information which can be used to assist in the design of a truly notable energy-efficient building.

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 801
Washington, D.C. 20036
Research and Conferences: 202-429-8873; Publications: 202-429-0063
Application: Product information - office equipment and appliances
Summary: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. ACEEE fulfills its mission by: conducting in-depth technical and policy assessments; advising governments and utilities; working collaboratively with businesses and other organizations; publishing books, conference proceedings, and reports; organizing conferences and workshops; and informing consumers. See the Technology Briefs, and the Consumer Guides to Office Equipment (includes computers), Commercial Equipment (includes lighting, HVAC, and motors), and Home Energy Savings (includes light bulbs to furnaces, air conditioning to clothes washers), and other publications such as Emerging Energy-Savings Technologies and Practices for the Buildings Sector.

California Energy Commission (CEC)
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Application: Product information - appliances
Summary: The CEC ranks the most energy-efficient appliances available, regardless of brand, on its web site. The data base ranks high-efficiency heat pumps, central gas furnaces, central and room air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and even wine chillers. The rankings are updated every two weeks.

Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC)
Alliance to Save Energy
1200 18th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-530-2245; fax: 202-331-9588; e-mail: award@ase.org
Application: Design information - factsheets on selecting windows;
Product information - windows
Summary: The EWC is a coalition of window, door, skylight, and component manufacturers, glass and other component manufacturers, trade associations, utilities, research organizations, government agencies, and others interested in expanding the market for high efficiency fenestration products. Its goals are to double the current market penetration of efficient window technologies. The website provides unbiased information on the benefits of energy efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and recommendations for proper use of efficient windows.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20585
Telephone: 800-363-3732
(Seattle Regional Support Office
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3950
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: 206-553-1132; fax: 206-553-2200)
Application: Design information - residential and nonresidential, latest technologies
Summary: Provides information on all the U.S. Department of Energy programs, research, and new technologies. Key pages for energy efficiency in design and construction include Buildings and Home Energy Saving Tips.

Energy Efficient Building Association (EEBA)
2950 Metro Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55425
Application: Design information - residential buildings
Summary: A professional and trade group promoting energy efficient and affordable housing, including construction and design practices that help protect the environment.

Energy Ideas Clearinghouse (EIC)
Washington State University
Cooperative Energy Extension Service
PO Box 43171
925 Plum Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504
Telephone: 800-872-3568; fax: 800-872-3882; e-mail: energyline@energy.wsu.edu
Application: Design information - residential and nonresidential buildings
Summary: Since 1990, the Energy Ideas Clearinghouse has served energy professionals in the Pacific Northwest by providing centralized access to comprehensive and objective information, education, resources, and technical assistance for increasing energy efficiency.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Building Technologies Program
Application: Design information - windows and daylighting
Summary: Provides access to research on windows and daylighting design as well as a downloadable "Tips for Daylighting with Windows - The Integrated Approach" and links to other sites to obtain additional publications and information.

Lighting Design Lab
400 East Pine Street, Suite 100
Seattle WA 98122
(At the corner of East Pine and Bellevue Avenue. Free Parking (limited) in lot at rear of building. Served by Metro Busses: #7, 10, 14 and 43.)
Telephone: 206-325-9711; fax: 206-329-9532
Application: Design information - daylighting, lighting;
Product information - lighting and lighting controls
Summary: Mission Statement - "The Lighting Design Lab will encourage commercial and residential building designers, and specifiers of lighting equipment in the Northwest, to explore energy efficiency and to implement state-of-the-art lighting design through demonstrations, simulations, research and education." Provides educational seminars, product displays, and resources: Introduction to Lighting, Lighting Design Process, Introduction to Daylighting, Lamp Technology, Luminaires, Controls, Calculations, Software - Daylighting Software, Integration of Electric Lighting and Daylighting, Retrofit, Residential Design Workshop, Daylight Workshop, Technology Transfer Workshops, Forums and Seminars, Building Studies, Reference Library with catalogs, periodicals and research materials, Lighting and Daylighting Computer Software Training, Mockup Room with movable ceilings to simulate lighting design options.

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 320
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Telephone: 301-589-1776; fax: 301-589-3884.
Application: Product information - windows, doors, skylights, and other glazing
Summary: Provides information on the energy efficiency rating, certification, and labeling for glazing products that is required by the Seattle Energy Code. Produces the NFRC Certified Products Directory which lists the U-factors for tens of thousands of products as well as Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT).

Oregon Department of Energy - Building Commissioning
Telephone: 503-378-5697
Application: Design information - building commissioning
Summary: Summarizes the benefits of building commissioning, as well as providing examples of savings in energy, cost, air quality, comfort, and productivity from commissioning.

PECI
921 SW Washington Street, Suite 312
Portland OR 97205
Telephone: 503-248-4636; fax: 503-295-0820
Application: Design information - building commissioning
Summary: A nonprofit organization that provides information related to commissioning and the operation and maintenance of commercial buildings including overviews and case studies, as well as procedural guidelines, specifications, and functional tests, and a downloadable Model Commissioning Plan and Guide Specifications. In addition, PECI produces and has information about current and past regional and national Commissioning Conferences and proceedings, and their website provides links to other web sites with commissioning information and documents 

Seattle City Light Energy Management Services Programs
700 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Telephone: 206-684-3000
Application: Design information - design and incentives, building commissioning
Summary: Provides information on the Seattle City Light programs to improve energy efficiency and resource efficiency including the BuiltSmart and other residential programs (206-684-4286), Energy Smart Design and other business programs (206-684-3254), and Building Commissioning assistance (206-684-3274).

Last Updated: January 15, 2005