A report by the New Buildings Institute highlights where LEED certification aids in the goal of achieving net zero energy.
“Getting to Zero Status Update and List of Zero Energy (“ZE”) Projects for 2018” is a digest of almost 500 certified, verified and emerging zero energy projects in the U.S. and Canada. The analysis shows that 70% ZE Verified projects are LEED-certified or registered with LEED. Most of those reached either Platinum or Gold certification levels.
A LEED v4 credit for projects that achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond standard requirements encourages aggressive reductions in energy usage, the report says. More points are awarded proportionally with higher levels of improvement from the baseline. For example, a new construction project that demonstrates a 50% reduction in energy usage from the baseline has the opportunity to earn as many as 18 points.
Nearly all of the LEED Energy and Atmosphere credits support the advanced energy performance necessary for zero energy. LEED v4 requires and rewards energy efficiency through a whole-building energy simulation or prescriptive compliance with ASHRAE or other rigorous energy standards and methods.
Related Stories
| Jun 5, 2012
HP Labs aims for net-zero energy data centers
Building sustainable data centers is one of the goals of HP Labs, and it believes technology, combined with the right building techniques, could result in the construction of energy-efficient data centers.
| Jun 5, 2012
USGBC delays LEED 2012; renames it LEED v4
In response to concerns by LEED users, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that it will delay the ballot on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013.
| Jun 5, 2012
Baltimore officials vow to block $1.8 billion urban renewal project
Baltimore officials want to block a $1.8 billion urban renewal project until more neighborhood residents and minority contractors are hired and displaced residents can benefit from the revitalization.
| Jun 5, 2012
OSHA launches campaign to warn of heat dangers in outdoor work
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a campaign to warn outdoor workers about the dangers of heat exposure.
| Jun 5, 2012
AGC’s Safety and Health Conference focuses on regulations, legislation
More than 150 industry professionals and other attendees will participate in the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC’s) safety and health conference July 11-13 in Washington, D.C.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Proposed change in Michigan’s building code would hurt innovation, say critics
Legislation pending before the Michigan Senate would change the law that calls for building codes to be updated every three years to require an update only every six years.
| May 31, 2012
Natural gas industry opposes federal carbon-neutral construction rule
The natural gas industry and some allies are working to block a federal green building rule that was expected to be a national model for carbon-neutral construction.