Bruce Manning, chief engineer for the Operating Engineers Trust Funds, Pasadena, CA, discusses energy benchmarks.

BALTIMORE, MD — Some 25 experts from the HVAC&R industry and the California market addressed growing concerns about the U.S. energy situation at the fifth Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium, “Making Dollars and Sense of Energy Efficiency: A Focus on Conservation,” June 5, 2007, at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach, CA.

One of the “big ideas” proposed was the concept of building performance metrics.  That is, every commercial building should meet certain energy efficiency standards.  If tied to federal or state legislation (or both), such standards would give building owners the incentive to implement improvements, resulting in higher energy efficiency across the building market.  Those who don’t meet the standards would face the equivalent of a gas-guzzler tax, the group suggested.

John Suzukida, president, Lanex Consulting, Shoreview, MN, served as moderator of a wrap-up session following the presentations.

The sixth symposium is scheduled for October 23, 2007, in Washington, D.C.  Details will be announced soon.  For more information about the Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium Series, visit http://www.envisioneering.danfoss.com/symposium. e&pm