Energy-Saving Opportunities in Green Buildings
The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System provides many paths to certification, some of which result in a more energy-efficient building than others. Thus, just because a building is LEED-certified does not mean significant opportunities for energy savings cannot be found. As the case studies at the end of this article show, savings usually can be had for little or no capital investment by fine-tuning the operations of a building. ...
Other LEED O&M Points
Following are other opportunities related to ventilation to earn points under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (O&M)...
Tax Incentives for Geothermal
With the current national emphasis on renewable-energy systems, we find ourselves on the brink of great opportunity, yet frustrated by the constraints...
Finding Energy Savings With a Biomass Boiler
The story has become increasingly common in the current economic climate: An organization must address its aging infrastructure and building equipment while trying to manage ever-tightening operating budgets. ...
Utility Shows Off LEED Platinum HQ
Great River Energy, an electric generation and transmission cooperative serving the Upper Midwest, opened the doors of its headquarters in Maple Grove, Minn., to members of the trade press April 16, showcasing the first building in Minnesota to be certified Platinum under Version 2.2 of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction and Major Renovations Green Building Rating System....
Keeping Score
Great River Energy's headquarters received 56 points under Version 2.2 of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction and Major Renovations Green Building Rating System...
Energy Codes and Building Controls
Reversing the upward trend of the country's energy consumption...
The State of Energy: Revisited
Only through massive energy conservation can the U.S. hope to have success in the near term...
Modern Green-Building Fire Protection
The selection of an environmentally friendly fire-suppression system can help a project earn LEED credits...
How an iconic 1970s office tower was turned into a progressive, environmentally friendly commercial property
When Brookfield Properties purchased Trizec Properties Inc. in 2006, it--along with partner The Blackstone Group--acquired 61 office properties totaling 36 million sq ft in nine U.S. markets, including the 55-story, 1.8-million-sq-ft Bank of America Plaza, one of the most recognizable commercial buildings in downtown Los Angeles....
How Green Is Green?
The movement is taking the construction field by storm. Some are looking to reduce their impact on the environment, while others are motivated to control...
The Building-Design Revolution
Green building is revolutionizing the practice of architecture and engineering, forcing all design professions to look at the broader effects of their...
Planning and Achieving High-Performance Buildings
With the advent of the 2030 proposed ASHRAE/IESNA/USGBC Standard 189, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential...
Reducing Greenhouse-Gas Emissions
Whether to attain a higher green-building rating, create a more progressive corporate image, attract environmentally conscious tenants, and/or keep in step with private and public initiatives, many building owners and mechanical-system designers are looking to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, chiefly carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with the consumption of fossil fuels. ...
Energy-Efficiency Tax Benefits
Because of recent legislation, tax deductions may be awarded for part or all of the costs associated with new construction and/or equipment installations...
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