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The document is a case study on SoffitDuct, a prefabricated, lightweight HVAC distribution system designed by Thermaduct and RMI to simplify mechanical retrofits in multifamily buildings by eliminating the need for traditional site-built soffits.

This RMI fact sheet explains the technology, benefits, and market opportunities for geothermal heat pumps (also known as ground-source heat pumps) in the United States. It highlights their efficiency in both hot and cold climates, their role in reducing building emissions, and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on lowering installation costs.

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, Connecticut, has implemented a series of energy efficiency upgrades to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Key projects include the replacement of an obsolete boiler with a high-efficiency steam system and the installation of LED lighting, new air handling units, and heat pumps. These initiatives were funded through a combination of C-PACE financing, state grants, utility rebates, and donations incentivized by the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.

This briefing by RMI describes a shift from traditional air temperature-centric building design to a targeted approach based on six variables of thermal comfort. Using the Rocky Mountain Institute's Innovation Center as a case study, the document explains how integrating these variables through the Predictive Mean Vote (PMV) metric and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) can reduce energy use and support net-zero goals, while detailing the technical and contractual strategies needed to manage the associated risks of passive design.

This case study describes an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) completed in 2014 by Lockheed Martin at the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua. The project achieved a 54 percent energy reduction across nine buildings through a combination of LED lighting retrofits, HVAC optimizations, and the installation of a 956 kW solar PV system, which is the State Department’s largest overseas system.

This 1998 report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the U.S. Department of Energy examines how energy-efficient building design—specifically improvements in lighting, heating, and cooling—can lead to significant increases in worker productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved work quality. Through eight case studies of commercial and industrial facilities, the authors argue that the economic gains from productivity often far exceed the direct energy cost savings, making efficient design a highly cost-effective business strategy.

This appendix details the methodology and results of a study conducted by OTS R&D, Inc. between August and December 2025 to evaluate the short-term performance of heat pump systems using virgin, reclaimed, and recovered R-410A refrigerants. The study found no statistically significant performance penalty when using reclaimed refrigerant that meets AHRI 700 purity standards.