Energy

Written by Thom Powell, AIA LEED AP

The 2030 Challenge offers a timeline for creating buildings that produce as much energy as they use – “net zero energy”.  As we begin to contemplate the conclusion of the year 2009, we are about to arrive at the initial benchmark of 2010.  This is the point where we are able to achieve a 60% reduction over 1990 levels of energy consumption for newly constructed buildings.  Per the 2030 Challenge, the first 50% could be achieved through energy efficiency.  Presumably, the next 10% will come from alternative energy sources, either localized, centralized or through a form of renewal energy certificates.  So, it is natural for one to ask where we are in the development of alternative energy resources here in Dallas, in Texas and in the United States, in general.  

Energy

Written by R. Kirk Johnson, AIA, LEED AP

Numerous proposals for building energy reduction policies have been implemented over the past decade with many others in the waiting.  However, in the next few years a significant number of energy code updates will be issued that will exponentially raise the bar for building energy performance well beyond the standards presently in effect.  These many complimenting standards will be drafted and implemented by leading regulators such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the International Code Council (ICC).  Other organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the New Buildings Institute (NBI) have formulated recommendations for consideration by the International Code Council in the next release of the International Energy Code.

Energy

Written by Anthony Martin, P.E., LEED AP

Asking whether the US Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System views energy as a high priority is like asking a 3-yr old whether or not they want chocolate cake for dessert, you already know the answer.  Or put another way, Energy within LEED is like the peanut butter in a peanut butter sandwich, it just wouldn’t be the same without it nor would it even be considered a peanut butter sandwich. These are just a few analogies that can be made when LEED and Energy and leaves us asking a few more questions: Why such an importance?  What do we do about reducing our needs?  How do we prove that we are meeting our energy goals?

Energy

Written by R. Kirk Johnson, AIA, LEED AP

The third edition public draft of the long awaited Standard 189.1P Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings except low-rise residential buildings was released in May with a plan to finalize and publish the standard incorporating applicable public comments by January 2010.  The standard, upon completion, is a joint partnership between the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).  The standard is designed to significantly move forward sustainable concepts and construction by providing a code-enforceable standard for green buildings that may be adopted by jurisdictions, agencies, clients, rating systems, and regulatory entities.  It is designed to set the minimum requirements for high performance buildings.