The General Services Administration’s Net-Zero Energy Task Group is working on a draft letter with clear goals and guidance for net-zero energy buildings by this September. The committee recently created a provisional definition of net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs).
The draft definition distinguishes between two different types of net-zero buildings:
- NZEB: an energy-efficient building where the actual annual source energy consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy.
- REC-NZEB: an energy-efficient building where the actual annual source energy consumption is balanced by on-site renewable energy to the maximum extent possible and is augmented by off-site renewable energy and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from certified sources.
GSA’s Net-Zero Energy Task Group is part of the Green Building Advisory Committee, which advises and helps agencies build more sustainably. In its draft, the committee has recommended that net-zero buildings reduce energy use by 50% or more than typical buildings of similar types.
Related Stories
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
Standards | Aug 17, 2016
U.K.’S BREEAM green building standard enters U.S. market
The standard is touted as a cost-effective alternative to LEED.
Standards | Aug 16, 2016
Standard for conducting, reporting energy audits open for review
A joint ASHRAE/ACCA proposal seeks comments from industry professionals.
Sustainability | Jun 8, 2016
New program certifies the performance of existing buildings in the U.S.
BREEAM USA, an offshoot of a program already in place in Europe, aims to ease the point of entry.
Resiliency | Feb 16, 2016
Obama establishes federal earthquake risk management standard
The standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design provisions in current building codes.
Standards | Sep 18, 2015
2014 construction deaths up 6% from 2013
Highest number of fatalities since 2008
Multifamily Housing | Jul 16, 2015
Minneapolis relaxes parking requirements on new multifamily buildings
The city cut the number of spots required for large developments by half. It also will accept plans with no parking spaces in certain cases.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse
Apartment building balconies will be subject to inspections every three years under new regulations adopted following a deadly collapse.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Oregon to spend $300 million for seismic updates on public buildings
A survey found that more than 1,000 Oregon school buildings face a high risk of collapse during earthquakes.
