In an effort to combat climate change, lawmakers at all levels are increasingly looking to apartment owners and developers to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. In the past year, numerous proposals have been introduced that would require apartment properties to exceed existing energy-efficiency requirements (as contained in the ASHRAE 90.1 building standard) by anywhere from 15 percent to 50 percent.
To help firms identify the most cost-effective way to meet mandatory and voluntary energy-efficiency goals, the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) have produced a new report titled Strategies and Costs to Exceed ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Requirements in a Multifamily Apartment Building. The research was also supported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the CCIM Institute.
The research was conducted by Newport Partners LLC, an independent consulting firm with comprehensive expertise in building science and energy-efficiency technology. The firm performed extensive energy modeling of a typical apartment property in three U.S. climates to determine what products and practices would be required to exceed existing requirements by 15 percent, 30 percent and 50 percent as well as the payback for those investments.
ASHRAE Report Summary: 
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ASHRAE Report, no appendix:
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ASHRAE Report, with appendix (10MB): View full document