INNOVAL
The hot climate at Le Port led the team in charge of the INNOVAL project to prepare a cooling strategy for different seasons. During the winter, natural ventilation is sufficient to cool offices and during the mid-season between the winter and the summer, natural ventilation is completed with ceiling fans. However, during the summer, natural ventilation coupled with ceiling fans are not sufficient, consequently, air conditioning has to be used. In buildings in Reunion Island, a significant percentage of the energy consumed is due to air conditioning, therefore, the air conditioning system selected here is an efficient one with a Variable Refrigerant Flow ensuring reliability and energy savings. Moreover, a software tool automatically regulates the power of cooling in relation to office use. Finally, while in Reunion Island, people are used to cooling below 24 °C, the air conditioning of the building cannot cool below 26 °C which is adequate with ceiling fans and natural ventilation. Indeed, with the assistance of ceiling fans, the felt temperature is reduced by 5 °C allowing a final felt temperature of 21 to 22 °C. In order to optimize the refrigerated unit power, the temperature adjustment consists of applying a difference of 5 °C between the outside and the inside. For example, if the outside temperature is 34 °C, the temperature adjustment will be 29 °C. All these choices in operation have led to a decrease from 100 kW to 30 kW in the power required by the refrigerated unit.
Exterior insulation finishing system
Research, conducted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and supported by the Department of Energy, has validated that EIFS are the "best performing cladding" in relation to thermal and moisture control when compared to brick, stucco, and cementitious fiberboard siding. In addition EIFS are in full compliance with modern building codes which emphasize energy conservation through the use of CI (continuous insulation) and a continuous air barrier. Both these components are built into today's EIFS products to provide maximum energy savings, reduced environmental impact over the life of the structure, and improved IAQ, Indoor Air Quality. Along with these functional advantages come virtually unlimited color, texture, and decorative choices to enhance curb appeal and enjoyment of almost any home or structure. 
EIFS before 2000 were barrier systems, meaning that the EIFS itself was the weather barrier. After 2000 the EIFS industry introduced the air/moisture barrier that resides behind the foam. In a study done by the Department Of Energy's Office of Science - Oak Ridge National Laboratory it was found that the best air/moisture barrier was a fluid barrier. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2006 — EIFS "outperformed all other walls in terms of moisture while maintaining superior thermal performance." The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has evaluated the five life cycle stages of the environmental impact of EIFS alongside brick, aluminum, stucco, vinyl, and cedar. Depending on a variety of site and project specific conditions, EIFS have the potential to save money in construction costs and contribute toward energy efficient operations and environmental responsibility when correctly designed and executed.