Energy savings can be achieved through design, operations and maintenance of buildings and facilities in all sectors including governments and schools, commercial and industrial.

Energy Code Assessment
This project provided residential and commercial training to design professionals, code officials and builders on the specifics of the International Energy Conservation Code. It also developed a design assessment procedure for residential and commercial buildings and developed a working relationship with building inspection offices for the purposes of this assessment. A web site on North Carolina energy codes was also maintained. Read the brochure...

Energy Code Update
Working with Appalachian State University, this project evaluates the effectiveness of the residential and commercial codes that were updated by the 1995 grant and train design professionals and builders on the International Energy Conservation Code.

Energy Improvement Loan Program
Low interest loans are available to North Carolina businesses and industry, schools and community colleges, non profit organizations and local governments when energy efficiency improvements are made to their facilities. Read the brochure for more information. (more... ).

Energy Management Program
This program provides workshops and industrial energy surveys, which identify opportunities and demonstrate techniques for optimizing energy use in various building systems, promoting energy conservation in industrial, institutional, commercial, and governmental buildings. Industrial surveys perform comprehensive audits of common system inefficiencies (such as leaky compressed air systems, poorly-adjusted steam traps, etc.) and provide recommendations for energy improvements. Workshop topics include: preventive maintenance; HVAC control strategies; air compressor maintenance; chiller and cooling tower optimization; energy-efficient lighting systems; steam traps and steam systems; energy-efficient motors and variable speed drives; electric costs and peak shaving; process energy analysis; industrial ventilation and dust collection; power quality and energy storage; and pumping system assessment.
The tasks involved in this project include: performance of energy surveys; development of energy-saving recommendations; providing technical assistance; development of workshop promotional and educational material; and marketing efforts.
Since its establishment in 1988, the Energy Management Program has conducted over 400 workshops, training nearly 10,000 people in energy saving techniques. Over 600 energy surveys have been completed to date, with recommended cost savings exceeding $33 million per year. The actual value of implemented.

High Performance Guidelines
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacted House Bill 1272 which requires the implementation of a Pilot Program to review the use of Triangle J Council of Governments' High Performance Guidelines in the renovation or construction of Universities, Community Colleges and State facilities. The High Performance Guidelines are based on the U.S. Green Building Councils' L.E.E.D. Green Building Rating System. Entities participating in this Pilot program will design buildings and surrounding environments using features that are energy efficient, incorporate reusable and renewable resources, provide natural lighting, are non-toxic, require low maintenance, incorporate water conservation measures, and cause minimum adverse impact to the environment. A case study directory of North Carolina experts associated with techniques listed in High Performance Guidelines will be developed and made available for the Pilots. High Performance Guideline Assessments will be provided to the Pilots, as well as, charrettes and workshops. This project will also provide expert reviews of schematics, designs and construction documents. Triangle J Council of Governments, in cooperation with the State Energy Office, coordinates the professional support necessary to make it easy for projects to implement the Guidelines. The Pilot projects are as follows:

• Alamance Community College - Student Services/Learning Resource Center/Admin Offices
• Appalachian State University - Student Athletic Recreational Facility
• Carteret Community College - Health Science & Marine Training Buildings
• East Carolina University - College Hill, Phase 1
• Fayetteville Technical Community College - Horace Sisk & Lafayette Hall Renovations
• NC A&T University - Harrison Auditorium Renovation
• NC Arboretum - Operation Support Facility
• NC State University
  • Jordan Hall Addition
  • Leazar Hall Renovation
• UNC-Asheville
  • Mathematics & Science Building
  • Physical Plant Building
• UNC-CH
  • Global Education Center
  • Morrison & Hinton-James High-Rise Dormitory Renovation
• Wayne Community College - Continuing Education Center
• Dept. of Crime Control & Public Safety - Foothills Army National Guard Readiness Center
• Dept. of Environmental & Natural Resources
  • Admin. Headquarters & Wildlife Education Center
  • North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

North Carolina Green Builder Training Certificate Program
This project supports the startup costs for an ongoing certificate program for builders, subcontractors and designers. It will provide training in the basic content and specific energy related areas of the NC Green Builder Program and will have the support of both a university setting and a green builder program. The major objective of the NC Green Builder Program is transformation of the housing market in North Carolina using community based programs with statewide support and consistency.

Public School Improvement - Lee County
The State Energy Office has contracted with the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department and the Industrial Extension Service of North Carolina State University to Design and implement a pilot Energy Efficiency, Evaluation and Education Program for North Carolina Schools. The goal of the project is to develop a methodology that will facilitate a reduction in energy cost per square foot in schools across all of North Carolina. Under this program, energy assessments will be conducted of selected schools to identify and implement energy and cost saving opportunities. This program will serve as a model for similar programs to be conducted for other school systems across North Carolina.

Rainwater Collection System
Innovative Design, Inc., Raleigh will develop a computer design tool for a rainwater collection system as a guide for engineers and designers to use when developing collection systems for school buildings. A companion manual, Rainwater Collection Systems Design Guide, will be developed and both the program and guide will be distributed through the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council and at seminars and workshops throughout the state. In this type of system, rainwater from school roof builidngs is collected in one or more cisterns and recycled for non-potable use, such as irrigation and school toilets.

Waste Reduction Partners
Waste Reduction Partners is a volunteer group of retired engineers sponsored by Land-of-Sky Council of Governments, that perform energy audits are performed for public, non-profit, local government, state government, commercial and industrial buildings west of I-77. An energy self-assessment tool for public buildings, schools, or commercial buildings has been developed and made available electronically. Also, ten fact sheets to help institutions and commercial clients to determine energy savings potential have been developed.