LEED is a voluntary consensus-based national rating system for buildings. It emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five key areas: indoor environmental quality, water efficiency, energy use reduction, and waste reduction. It has been the basis for the Green Building and Energy Efficiency Services (GBES) program. For more information about LEED, read our article about the program. We also provide information about ENERGY STAR. If you are looking for Green Building and Energy Efficiency Services visit this website gilleranenergy.com

LEED

When it comes to energy efficiency in buildings, the use of LEED certification can help you to achieve your goals. But many questions remain. For example, does LEED really affect energy usage? If the answer is no, what is its real impact? There are numerous backlash positions, with varying levels of merit. Some of these have been traced to astroturfing groups, such as the Environmental Policy Alliance, which is the brainchild of notorious lobbyist Richard Berman. This group is linked to a nested network of front groups that defend polluters and tobacco companies. Others are more open to interpretation, however. One such analysis is the claim by physicist John Scofield that New York’s Gold LEED buildings underperform those of other states.

Whether you are building a home or an office building, LEED certification helps you achieve your goals while saving money. The LEED system is a voluntary, consensus-based rating system for green buildings. It addresses all types of buildings and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five categories: energy, water, materials, and indoor air quality. By meeting these requirements, you can build a building that’s energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and healthy.

Community Energy Advisers

The Community Energy Advisors program is funded by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), which has awarded grants to four Cornell Cooperative Extension associations in four of the ten counties in New York. Through this partnership, community residents in New York can connect with trained Community Energy Advisers for help saving money and energy while making their homes and businesses more comfortable. Besides providing free consultations, Community Energy Advisors can also connect residents with financial incentives and local contractors that help reduce their costs and save them money.

These experts work with low and moderate-income residents to upgrade their homes with green building and energy efficiency products and services. They discuss easy DIY energy efficiency measures and guide the property owner/tenant in installing up to four energy-efficient products and technologies. They also educate the tenants on energy efficiency incentives and explain how to apply for them. In mid-2018, these Energy Advisers transitioned to the Get Your GreenBack program. In the meantime, they worked with 25 residents to apply for energy efficiency upgrades and receive additional incentives.

International Green Construction Code

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) sets minimum standards for new buildings to promote sustainable and energy-efficient design. It includes performance-related and prescriptive provisions. Oregon also has adopted the Oregon Reach Code, which encourages the use of wood as the primary building material in provincially-funded buildings. Similarly, the Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard promotes the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings and sets performance standards for energy use.

The IgCC was developed to address the gaps between traditional building codes and green buildings. It integrates whole-building approaches to develop code-compliant language and incorporates sustainability measures throughout the life cycle of a building project. The code provides technical data and regulatory framework for green construction projects and aims to raise the standards of living for communities worldwide. In addition, the code also offers a framework for jurisdictional customization usglobalworld.

ENERGY STAR

The EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has provided tools for commercial building managers to better manage energy usage. With this program, third parties have found ways to leverage its results, including dozens of utilities and energy services providers. As a result, nearly two billion square feet of commercial floor space and over two hundred thousand buildings are now rated, giving building owners the ability to compare their facility’s energy performance to other similar buildings.

Commercial buildings account for nearly half of the nation’s total energy use and emit nearly half of its greenhouse gas emissions. While commercial buildings and industrial plants are an integral part of the American economy, much of this energy is wasted due to inefficiencies. A strategic energy management approach can help businesses reduce energy use, cut costs and protect the environment. By partnering with the EPA and ENERGY STAR, thousands of businesses and organizations have made their properties more energy efficient. More than five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and $500 billion in energy costs were avoided by businesses that used energy-efficient products and services.