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
| Nov 26, 2012
Minnesota law to spur development, job creation produced few jobs
Legislation that allowed local governments to direct excess property tax dollars from tax-increment financing districts into other private developments was supposed to kick-start construction hiring in Minnesota.
| Nov 26, 2012
How to boost resilient systems that are sustainable
Cities of the future can be both more resilient and more sustainable by promoting strategies that include solar power and green roofs, programs that minimize demand for energy, rain gardens, and permeable pavement.
| Nov 26, 2012
Developer of nation’s first LEED platinum skyscraper focuses on carbon reduction
The Durst Organization, the developer of the first LEED platinum certified skyscraper in the country, says it will not seek LEED certification for its residential pyramid planned for New York’s West 57th Street.
| Nov 26, 2012
Questions linger over ability of Miami's newer high-rises to withstand hurricanes
Some towers in Miami, rebuilt after a hurricane in 2005, were allowed to be constructed under older building codes instead of newer ones created after Hurricane Wilma.
| Nov 26, 2012
Changes in development and building standards needed for health of Potomac River
The Potomac River’s health stands to suffer if the region does not change its development and building standards, according to the Potomac Conservancy.
| Nov 16, 2012
South Dakota prefers LEED over building code on state projects
“(LEED is) much better than a mandatory building code because you get a little wiggle room in these projects,” said Mike Mueller, a spokesman for the South Dakota Bureau of Administration.
| Nov 16, 2012
AAMA publishes quality assurance guidelines for Polyamide Thermal Barriers
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers.
