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The basics:

• New Jersey targets 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2050.
• Property owners can implement sustainable renovations to help meet decarbonization goals.
• Multidisciplinary design is key to sustainable retrofits.

In 2021, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 274 establishing a statewide goal of reducing 2006-era greenhouse gas emission levels by 80% by 2050. To do this, both the private and public sectors will need to leverage a wide spectrum of solutions, ranging from broad public policy changes to individual building retrofits.

New Jersey’s decarbonization goals may feel like a tall order, but there are several sustainable renovations that property owners can implement to help meet these ambitious benchmarks.

Thermal envelopes

Thermal envelopes serve as the primary barrier between the interior temperatures of a building and the exterior. An effective envelope reduces drafts, inside humidity and opportunities for mold growth, and provides an environment where the space conditions can be better controlled.

While a loosely constructed envelope can improve indoor air quality and possibly eliminate the need for additional mechanical ventilation, it can often create issues with providing a consistent indoor temperature.

Building management systems

Intelligent building management systems offer a level of both manual and automated control over everything from temperature to lighting and more. These systems can significantly reduce unnecessary waste, for example, by only heating and/or cooling the building during regular hours or by adjusting interior lighting based on how much daylight is already coming through windows.

Every watt counts when going green and building management systems are ideal for eliminating extraneous energy consumption.

Alternative energy sources

Energy sources such as wind, geothermal and photovoltaic can provide clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity to power everything from a single residential building to an entire mixed-use campus. New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Program provides incentives for the development of community-centric photovoltaic generation projects on rooftops, in parking lots and landfills, and at other appropriate sites.

Participants in these community solar programs pay a recurring fee for a portion of the generated energy. When any additional energy goes back into the grid, participants commonly receive credits to their electric bills from local utilities in exchange for the additional energy that the program adds to the power grid. In fact, the New Jersey Division of Clean Energy estimates that program participants save between 15% and 25% on their monthly electric bill.

Building electrification

Transitioning from gas-powered to electric-powered appliances is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on utility bills. Electric heat pumps, for example, are more energy efficient and carry lower operating costs when compared to gas-powered furnaces. The benefits of these heat pumps are a major reason why a multistate coalition that includes New Jersey has pledged to reach 20 million heat pump installations by 2030. A similar multistate pledge aims for 90% of residential heating, air conditioning and water heating sales to comprise heat pumps by 2040.

Electric appliances, such as stoves, washing machines, dryers and home heating systems, are also more energy efficient than their gas-powered counterparts.

A multidisciplinary approach

A quality architecture, engineering and construction consultant will know which solutions are most appropriate for each campus and/or facility, but there are several other important factors to consider when deciding on a firm. The ideal AEC firm will not just prescribe the proper decarbonization technologies but also meet client expectations with regard to budget and timeline.

Sustainable design covers many different disciplines, including architecture, interior design, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering. The ideal firm will employ experts in a wide variety of disciplines, allowing a majority of the work to be performed in-house and reducing the need to rely on subconsultants. Consultants should also possess the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation offered by the U.S. Green Building Council, which signifies a greater level of expertise in designing buildings that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Creating more sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings will help improve the health and happiness of residents, preserve our natural environment, and create long-term energy and maintenance cost savings. New Jersey’s goals may be ambitious, but they are also achievable with the right design strategies and a broad, multidisciplinary approach.

Anthony Kim is assistant vice president and Electrical Engineering Department manager, H2M architects + engineers.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:24 p.m. EST to correct the meaning of the acronym AEC to architecture, engineering and construction.