In 2009, ASHRAE set an aggressive target of net-zero energy use for all new buildings by the year 2030. With that objective in mind, innovative energy saving ideas were sought from the various ASHRAE committees, particularly those associated with ASHRAE's Standard 90.1, the "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings". As a referenced standard of practice in essentially all building and mechanical codes in the United States, the impact of any change to this Standard is understandably immense.
