I thought you all might be interested --
-- lots of hype regarding making everything 30% more efficient

from Mar09 issue of Building Design+Construction:
Study shows 30% above ASHRAE energy efficiency difficult to reach in buildings, 50% unreachable
· Chicago: 23% in energy savings; $188,523.45 cost increase; 8.8-year payback
· Baltimore: 21.5% in energy savings; $165,148.13 cost increase; 11-year payback
· Newport Beach: 15.8% in energy savings; $169.898.13 cost increase; 12.2-year payback.

http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/CA...rgy+efficiency