PART 7: Energy and Atmosphere

Energy and Atmosphere Credit Category in LEED

Introduction

  • Overview of the energy and atmosphere credit category in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

    • Introduces intents and key concepts related to:

    • Energy demand

    • Energy efficiency

    • Renewable energy

    • Ongoing performance

Measurement and Performance

  • Emphasis on measurement, metering, and continuous performance tracking.

    • Aim: Encourage buildings to perform well from the start and maintain performance metrics throughout commissioning and metering.

    • Importance of this credit category:

    • Has the most points available in the LEED rating system due to its significant potential impact on climate change.

    • Key Statistic: 39% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are associated with the use of liquid fuels and electricity by buildings.

Goals of Energy and Atmosphere Category

  • Major goals include:

    • Reducing energy use by beginning with energy conservation.

    • Concept of energy demand: Essential to address and integrate energy demand before employing efficiency strategies.

    • Promoting energy efficiency:

    • Use less energy to accomplish the same work.

    • Increasing renewable energy use:

    • Efficient demand reduction can make it cost-effective to meet energy needs from renewable sources.

Key Concepts

1. Energy Demand

  • Best practices in managing energy demand:

    • Establishing Goals:

    • Set design and energy goal targets and performance indicators at project outset.

    • Periodically verify achievement of these goals.

    • Sizing the Building:

    • Constructing appropriately sized facilities to avoid unnecessary and costly energy demands.

    • Using Free Energy:

    • Utilize the facility's orientation, natural ventilation, and daylight.

    • Incorporate appropriate shades, windows, and vents to harness solar energy and improve natural lighting.

    • Design building envelopes for effective insulation against heating and cooling losses.

    • Monitoring Consumption:

    • Implement energy monitoring systems to provide feedback and encourage demand reduction.

    • Energy management identifies energy savings opportunities by tracking usage and performance.

    • Demand Response Strategies:

    • Encourage reduced electricity usage during peak demand times, thereby optimizing utility supply energy generation and delivery.

2. Energy Efficiency

  • Focus on strategies to enhance energy efficiency after demand reduction:

    • Building Envelope:

    • Ensure adequate and regionally appropriate insulation in walls and roofs.

    • Install high-performance glazing to minimize unwanted heat gain/loss.

    • Ensure proper weatherization.

    • Mechanical Systems and Appliances:

    • Install high-performance systems and appliances to maximize efficiency.

    • Apply life cycle assessments to evaluate capital vs. operating costs and assess energy efficiency technology investments.

    • Infrastructure Efficiency:

    • Use efficient street lighting and LED traffic signals to reduce neighborhood energy demands.

    • Efficiency of Scale:

    • Design district heating/cooling systems for multiple buildings to share energy resources.

    • Energy Simulation:

    • Employ computer modeling to prioritize energy efficiency opportunities.

    • Monitoring and Verification:

    • Ensure ongoing performance through control systems and commissioning processes to match the owner's project requirements.

    • Commissioning: A hands-on inspection process to confirm energy-using systems operate as intended.

3. Renewable Energy

  • Best practices to promote renewable energy use:

    • On-Site Generation:

    • Install renewable energy technologies (e.g., photovoltaic cells, solar water heaters, building-mounted wind turbines).

    • Off-Site Renewable Energy Purchase:

    • Buy green power or renewable energy certificates to reduce environmental impact.

    • Definition of Green Power:

    • Includes wind, solar, photovoltaics, and solar thermal; excludes fossil fuel-based and nuclear power-generated energy.

    • Carbon Offsets:

    • Financial purchases to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from various sources like transportation and electricity use.

4. Ongoing Energy Performance

  • Continuous focus on energy use after building design and construction:

    • Importance of maintaining performance levels over time.

    • Best Practices:

    • Adhere strictly to owner project requirements developed during planning.

    • Conduct commissioning throughout the project lifecycle for operational effectiveness.

    • Providing Staff Training:

      • Knowledge and training for facility managers to maintain and enhance building performance.

    • Preventative Maintenance Program:

      • Maintain building in optimal condition through robust programs.

    • Involving Occupants:

      • Implement strategies for energy efficiency, encourage use of energy-efficient equipment, educate on energy conservation behavior, and feedback on performance.

5. Metering

  • Significance of metering in performance tracking:

    • Emphasizes the necessity of monitoring energy usage for improvement goals.

Conclusion

  • Summary of key points in the energy and atmosphere credit category:

    • Overall goals:

    1. Reduce energy use

    2. Design for energy efficiency

    3. Promote renewable energy use

    • Interconnection of green building strategies to energy demand, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and ongoing performance.