Energy & Atmosphere

Optimize Energy Performance

Accounting for approximately 40% of the total energy use today, buildings are significant consumers of fossil fuels and the negative impacts associated with their extraction and consumption. The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC) has improved its energy performance by 26% utilizing a number of features including a high performance building envelop, efficient lighting and controls, and high efficiency Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.

The east-facing side of the building utilizes a diagonal pattern curtain wall, with bi-colored spandrel glass, which conceals structural building components, and contributes to the buildings 42% window-to-wall ratio. The windows have a great solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.25 (on a scale of 0 to 1), which is a measure of how much heat from the sun is transferred into the building. The windows also boast a U-value of 0.28 (on a scale of 0.20 to 1.20), which measures how much heat the windows allow out of the building.

The JRTC interior lighting systems consist of fully LED dimmable down lights, pendant mounted industrial lights, and architectural accent lighting. Vacancy/ Occupancy sensors are utilized in most areas with local wall switches provided for manual override. Daylight harvesting and photocell systems are utilized to offset the amount of electric lighting needed to properly light a space, in order to reduce energy consumption.

Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) HVAC systems are utilized in the building to control heating and cooling. WSHP provide high indoor air quality standards, quiet operation, and high operating efficiency to reduce life-cycle cost and provide a comfortable work environment. The HVAC system is controlled through a direct digital control (DDC) building automation system (BAS), which greatly improves operational efficiency.

Enhanced Commissioning

To further support the design, construction, and eventual operation of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla’s (JRTC) requirements for energy, water, indoor environmental quality, and durability, the project team implemented a Fundamental Commissioning and Verification Plan using qualified commissioning authority. The commissioning authority completed commissioning process activities for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and renewable energy systems and assemblies.

Enhanced Refrigerant Management

The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC) was designed to reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal Protocol while minimizing direct contributions to climate change. This was achieved by selecting refrigerants that are used in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment to minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change.

Measurement and Verification

To ensure ongoing accountability of building energy consumption over time for the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC), the project team developed a measurement and verification (M&V) plan consistent with LEED requirements. The M&V will cover a period of at least one year, post construction occupancy, and provides a process for corrective action if the results of the M&V plan indicate that energy savings are not being achieved.