Greentech Media

Sustainable Sites -- 14 Possible Points, 1 Prerequisite

This is the first category. It deals with choosing a site that has a minimal effect on the ecosystem and then managing the site in an environmentally responsible way. This includes stormwater management, habitat/plant species management, light pollution and heat island effect reduction.

Heat island effect is an area in which "urban and suburban temperatures that are 2 to 10°F (1 to 6°C) hotter than nearby rural areas." (EPA) These elevated temperatures can cause a variety of issues, including increase in peak power demands for cooling, pollution and heat-related illnesses. Credits 7.1 and 7.2 deal with heat island effect reduction both in non-roof and roof applications, respectively.

Sustainable Sites also encompasses transportation to and from the site including public transportation, parking issues and biking. Other credits in this category are awarded for convenience of amenities in the area for building occupants to reduce local travel.

The prerequisite for this category is Construction Activity Pollution Prevention. The purpose of this prerequisite is to "reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust generation." To achieve this, the project team must create and implement a site-management plan to reduce construction pollution and waste -- before the project begins.

Water Efficiency -- 5 Possible Points, No Prerequisite

The purpose of the Water Efficiency points is to manage the water use on the site and in the building. It deals with the reduction of wastewater from the site and rainwater and greywater use for as many applications as possible.

Energy and Atmosphere -- 17 Possible Points, 3 Prerequisites

This category is designed to reduce the amount of pollution that is put into the atmosphere by a building and to optimize its energy performance. A project can attain points by implementing strategies such as creating an efficient building envelope to optimize energy performance. Points are also awarded for on-site renewable-energy mechanisms such as solar power and wind power, or for using off-site green power (i.e. utility companies that offer renewable power options).

The first prerequisite for this category is Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems. This essentially means that the energy systems being installed and implemented in the building are verified for optimum performance and conform to the standards set out by the project team. This prerequisite makes use of a third-party commissioning agent for accurate and objective data collection and analysis.

Minimum Energy Performance is the second prerequisite. This requirement is to ensure that the building is minimizing energy flows through the building envelope, windows and doors. ASHRAE 90.1 is the code used to meet this prerequisite. It prescribes the amount of insulation, glass types, door types, etc. to meet a minimum energy performance.

The goal of the third prerequisite, Fundamental Refrigerant Management, is to reduce ozone depletion. There must be zero use of CFC-based refrigerants in new construction or, for renovations, there must be a CFC phase-out.