scope:

SUMMARY

In HVAC&R system design, the need to address immediate issues such as economics, performance, and space constraints often prevents designers from fully considering the energy resources affected. Today's energy resources are less certain because of issues such as availability, safety, national interest, environmental concerns, and the world political situation. As a result, the reliability, economics, and continuity of many common energy resources over the potential life of a building being designed are unclear. For this reason, the designer of building energy systems must consider the energy resources on which the long-term operation of the building will depend. If the continued viability of those resources is reason for concern, the design should provide for, account for, or address such an eventuality.