ATLANTA, GEORGIA, USA, May 23, 2019: ASHRAE and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the organisations’ relationship, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué.

The MoU was signed by 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter, PE and DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Daniel R Simmons, on May 22. The agreement defines parameters on how ASHRAE and the DOE will collaborate more closely to continue to advance and promote mutual interests, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, ASHRAE and DOE seek to work cooperatively to improve the efficient use of energy, to improve building resiliency and to improve building performance, including for occupants.

“This MoU agreement represents a valuable coordination of resources between ASHRAE and the Department of Energy, which establishes a solid framework to facilitate advances within the built-environment,” Hayter said. “We look forward to working with DOE on innovative approaches toward the attainment of sustainable development in all communities.”

The MoU includes, but is not limited to, the following goals:

• Encouraging the continued development of voluntary consensus-based standards related to energy efficiency.
• Encouraging the adoption of technologically feasible and economically justified energy-efficiency measures in each succeeding version of Standard 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) by states to ensure energy and cost savings.
• Encouraging the use of advanced energy design concepts.
• Collaboration in the development and implementation of the safe use of next-generation refrigerants and, concurrently, improve equipment energy efficiency.
• Cooperation to provide and encourage the use of clear and consistent information to the building industry about building energy rating and labeling.
• Work within the building community and related professions to encourage the interoperability of building-related software and integrated solutions.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with ASHRAE,” Simmons said. “We value the expertise of our stakeholders, including ASHRAE, and look forward to our continued collaboration together.”