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Author
Weber, S. F.
Title
Effects of Resource Impact Factors on Energy Conservation Standards for Buildings. Final Report.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Sponsor
Federal Energy Administration, Washington, DC
Report
NBSIR 77-1199(R), February 1977,
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Keywords
energy conservation; buildings; performance standards; life-cycle cost; service life; cost effectiveness; benefit cost analysis; taxes; thermal efficiency; mathematical models
Identifiers
resource impact factors; Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976
Abstract
This report addresses the question of the proper price for energy to be used in the development of optimum (i.e., cost-effective) energy conservation performance standards for buildings. It finds that the appropriate price for energy is its social value, which can be determined through the development and application of Resource Impact Factors (RIF's). Some guidelines are provided for the formulation and development of RIF's. A life-cycle cost minimization model for determining the optimum conservation standard is employed to show how the use of RIF's would generally lower the maximum allowable energy consumption specified in the standard. Finally, geometric and algebraic measures are derived for the net gain in economic efficiency that would result from using RIF's in developing energy conservation performance standards.