[Greenbuilding] NYC 90% emissions cut with windows

[David Bergman]

At 09:46 PM 3/19/2013, Benjamin Pratt wrote:
>Two thoughts
>1. Thats a helluva lot of windows!

One example: the Empire State Building had 6,514 double-paned windows 
with no energy-efficiency. They have been replaced with windows 
refitted (onsite, using the existing frames!) by Serious Materials.

Because they were reusing the frames, they didn't make them triple 
pane, but instead put a low-emissivity film between the dual panes. 
It's actually a pretty cool story of minimizing waste and replacing 
the windows while the building was occupied. 
(http://www.seriouswindows.com/commercial-project-gallery/commercial-buildings/empire-state-building/seriousglass-technology.html)

>2. Many New Yorkers in apartments in which they have no control of the
>heat. Sometimes opening the windows is the only way to cool them down.
>  unless the heating systems get updated, better windows won't help.

That's part of the reason for the need to convert to new HVAC 
systems, like the split units with ground source as mentioned in the report.

Those buildings have fossil-fueled heating systems in which the 
systems themselves are not only inefficient and carbon-intense but, 
as you mention, do not have local controls. The problem is actually 
sometimes worsened by new windows that cause the building to become 
more overheated and more windows to be then opened.

Some of them use the very dirty #4 & #6 oil, which is just now being 
phased out by regulation.

"Close to 10,000 buildings, many in the city's wealthiest 
neighborhoods, use this unrefined sludge. The Flatiron Building (5th 
Avenue and 23rd St.) and The Dakota (Central Park West at 72nd St.) 
are among a number of iconic structures that burn it." -- EDF

"New Yorkers burn more than 1 billion gallons of heating oil every 
year which accounts for nearly 14% of fine particulate matter 
pollutants emitted into our air; more PM2.5 emissions than all cars 
and trucks in the city combined." -- NYC DEP



David Bergman  RA   LEED AP
DAVID BERGMAN ARCHITECT | FIRE & WATER LIGHTING
architecture . interiors . ecodesign . lighting . furniture
bergman at cyberg.com    www.cyberg.com
212 475 3106   twitter: @EcoOptimism

author - <http://ecooptimism.com/?page_id=58>Sustainable Design: A 
Critical Guide
blog - <http://www.ecooptimism.com/>EcoOptimism
adjunct faculty - Parsons The New School for Design  
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