Stimulus could increase government efficiency

Whether you think the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help solve environmental and healthcare problems or you see the act as an unnecessary expansion of the federal government, you would probably rejoice in the opportunity to make the government 10 percent, 20 percent, or even 30 percent more efficient.

We have a chance to do just that with the economic stimulus package--but only if we spend the $15 billion dollars designated for energy efficiency retrofits wisely. The legislation includes $8.7 billion for energy retrofits and conservation in federal and military buildings, and $6.3 billion for state and local energy efficiency programs

To be clear, by increasing the efficiency of the government, I am not focusing on the government's commitment to make federal buildings 25 percent more energy efficient. I am referring to the government itself and how it can make its workers more efficient through daylight retrofits.

Daylight retrofits replace artificial lighting with daylight and are a specific type of energy retrofit. Examples include adding skylights and windows to dingy offices, replacing old leaky windows with modern windows that admit more light but less heat, adding sensors that turn down electric lights when there is plenty of daylight, and replacing broken mini-blinds with awnings, light reflectors, and modern shades.

These daylight retrofits cut artificial lighting use, which saves energy directly. Also, lights produce heat; so turning lights off makes buildings cooler, saving air conditioning energy.

More importantly, daylight and window views are proven to increase our efficiency performing tasks. Studies show that daylight increases workplace productivity by 6 to 15 percent, boosts student test scores by 7 to 26 percent, and expands retail sales by up to 40 percent.

A blog we wrote earlier this year detailed how a daylight retrofit increased weavers' productivity at a famous blanket making and commercial interior fabrics company.

Unfortunately, for over half a century, providing daylight to workers was considered a luxury. Therefore many government buildings are dreary, lacking natural light. This costs the government a lot of money: higher lighting and air conditioning bills, and lower worker productivity.

The energy retrofit stimulus money offers an opportunity to solve this problem.

Daylight retrofits can be conducted with simple off-the-shelf technology, making them "shovel-ready." And while there are many types of retrofits that will save energy and create jobs, only daylight retrofits will also increase the efficiency of our government.

Erik Bonnett is an analyst on Rocky Mountain Institute's Built Environment Team, BET.