USGBC Awards First LEED Platinum Rating in Residential Sustainable Design -- Only Online USGlass

Only Online - USGlass October 2006

Energy & Environment News:

USGBC Awards First LEED Platinum Rating in Residential Sustainable Design
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has introduced a LEED® for Homes rating system similar to its program for new commercial construction. Like the commercial construction rating system, the LEED for Homes pilot is based on a four-tiered rating system (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum) that awards points to projects based on their efficient use of resources and consideration of indoor environmental quality.

LivingHomes®, a developer of modern prefab homes, has received the highest rating possible from the LEED for Homes rating system, making it the first residential project in the country to attain a Platinum rating. The home, designed by Southern California architect Ray Kappe, FAIA, is a Zero Energy, Zero Water, Zero Waste, Zero Carbon, Zero Emissions residence.

The LivingHomes model home was awarded a total of 91 points out of 109. According to information from the company, the home received bonus point for its energy usage; out of 29 points available for energy usage, the home received 32.5, partly because the majority of the home's energy will be produced by an on-site photovoltaic system from Permacity/Gridpoint. In addition, PPG's low-E Solarban 60 glazing on Fleetwood doors and windows and Polygal polycarbonate glazing were also used in the home's construction. According to information from LivingHomes, the home's anticipated energy use is 80 percent more efficient than a conventional residence of similar size, which qualifies the home as an ENERGY STAR® home.

Carmanah to Provide Canada's Largest Building-Integrated Photovoltaic System
Carmanah Technologies Corp. of Victoria, British Columbia, has announced that its Solar Power Systems Group has received a contract from Glastech Contracting for a 36 kW amorphous silicon (a-Si) building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) grid-tie package. This system will be installed as part of a brand new facility in Surrey, British Columbia, at the Douglas Border Crossing located near the Peace Arch.

This 36 kW system will be the largest BIPV installation in Canada and will include more than 1,100 32-Watt amorphorous silicon BIPV laminates. The laminates will be provided by Carmanah through Glastech Contracting Ltd., which will also install the product as part of its overall glazing contract with the Commercial Division of the Graham Group Ltd., the primary construction contractor. According to information provided by Carmanah, the BIPV system will be integrated into an entirely new LEED-certified building that will replace the current border crossing structure.

The size and type of the solar arrays used in a BIPV installation vary based on the project, but typically come in the form of an architecturally-glazed curtainwall or roofing material.

ASHRAE Updates Energy Standard for Existing Buildings
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has updated its standard on energy conservation in existing buildings, designed to help owners maximize efficiency by improving operation, maintenance and energy monitoring. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 100-2006, Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings, was updated to bring it in line with other ASHRAE guidance, specifically ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and the ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Applications.

"Energy-saving practices for operation, maintenance and monitoring are essential for achieving sustainability in existing buildings," said Robert Fuller, vice chair of the Standard 100 committee. "It is important to ASHRAE and our members that we continue to provide stringent requirements for energy efficiency, and updating this standard helps us continue to be leaders in sustainability."

Other changes incorporated in Standard 100-2006 include updated requirements for compliance that allow for newer technology, such as more efficient lighting, that has been made available since the last update, and a revised bibliography to reflect current documents and new publications.