flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

Codes and Standards

Net zero commercial building trend shows strong momentum

Almost 50% more zero energy commercial buildings under construction in 2017.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 1, 2018

The number of net zero commercial buildings under construction in the U.S. and Canada in 2017 rose by nearly 50% over the previous year.

Though the total number of “emerging” net zero buildings, 279, is small, observers say interest in pursuing these projects has never been stronger and is growing quickly. “Zero energy” refers to buildings that generate at least 100% of their own power from renewable sources that are either onsite or built specifically for the project.

Sixty-seven commercial buildings have now been “verified” in the U.S. and Canada, according to a recent report from the New Buildings Institute. Steep drops in the cost of solar panels and improvements in their performance have been a key driver of the trend.

More economical PVs have prompted some owners to reach for net zero when they previously had seen that goal as cost-prohibitive. Codes and incentives are also influencing the growth of net zero buildings. More than half the emerging net zero buildings are in California, which has a stringent energy code and a mandate for all new state buildings to be designed for zero energy performance by 2020.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2020

Santa Fe is second city in the world to achieve LEED v4.1 Gold

New Mexico community gained credits for resilience planning, including public health crises.

Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2020

NSF International’s Checked by NSF program helps businesses reopen safely

Includes third-party validation of COVID-19 preventive measures.

Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2020

Workers want policy changes before they return to offices

More office cleaning, work from home opportunities, and staying home when sick among the desired adjustments.

Codes and Standards | Jun 12, 2020

Carbon emission legislation prompts commercial real estate to innovate

Mass timber, augmented reality, and modular construction among the trends.

Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2020

USGBC offers new pilot credit to address green cleaning and COVID-19

Provides guidance on cleaning and disinfecting buildings using green cleaning best practices.

Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2020

AIA issues tools for reducing risk of COVID-19 transmission in buildings

Tailored strategies offered for offices, retailers, schools, and senior living facilities.

Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020

OSHA construction safety inspections fall 84% during COVID-19 pandemic

Agency focuses on preventing disease transmission in healthcare industry.

Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020

5 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 8, 2020

Frank Lloyd Wright sites set to reopen and construction jobs rise by 464,000.

Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2020

Reopened offices raise liability risk for businesses and owners

Risks may not be covered by property insurance.

Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2020

American Wood Council updates report on fire resistance of wood members and assemblies

Provides new examples and background on mass timber calculations.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021