ASHRAE proposes standardization of global rating systems

A proposed standard from ASHRAE, currently open for public comment, would serve as the “backbone” of building rating systems worldwide.

The proposal would address the lack of standardization of the contents of these programs, and ensure that users are knowledgeable about what impacts their ratings, ASHRAE says. The proposed standard from ASHRAE is currently open for public comment.

ASHRAE Standard 214P, Standard for Determining and Expressing Building Energy Performance in a Rating Program, is being written to standardize building energy rating programs by requiring the minimum content of any labels associated with rating programs, establishing minimum requirements for rating program documentation, and other essential components. The proposal is open for public comment until Sept. 28, 2015. Visit here for more information.

“We want to provide a non-commercial consensus standard that can be used in international, national and regional legislation, policy making and regulation activities,” said Wayne Stoppelmoor, chair of the Standard 214P committee. “The goal is to write a standard that provides guidance for establishing rating systems that produce meaningful and consistent results.”

Walgreens announced plans last week to build one of the nation's first net-zero retail stores. The Evanston, Ill., location will utilize solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal technology, LED lighting and ultra-high-efficiency refrigeration to produce energy equal to or greater than the building consumes.

| Feb 21, 2013

BD+C's 2011 White Paper: Zero and Net-Zero Energy Buildings + Homes

We submit our eighth White Paper on Sustainability in the hope that it will inspire architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, developers, building product manufacturers, environmentalists, policymakers, government officials, corporate executives, officeholders, and the public to foster the development of net-zero energy buildings and homes.

| Jan 7, 2013

Jerry Yudelson's issues his "Top 10 Green Building Megatrends" for 2013

Yudelson, a Contributing Editor to Building Design+Construction, says, “It looks like a good year ahead for the green building industry. Based on our experience, it seems clear that green building will continue its rapid expansion globally in 2013 in spite of the ongoing economic slowdown in most countries of Europe and North America. More people are building green each year, with 50,000 LEED projects underway by the latest counts; there is nothing on the horizon that will stop this Mega-trend or its constituent elements.”

Valencia College at Lake Nonas innovative new $21.7 million Academic Building d

| Nov 20, 2012

SchenkelShultz-designed Valencia at Lake Nona certified 3 Green Globes

Featuring the latest technologies, the three-story, academic facility includes academic spaces and teaching laboratories, student services, a book store, library, café, a Dean’s suite and administrative offices.