Energy and atmosphere strategies in LEED certification

Sustainable energy supply and demand

The supply and demand of sustainable energy are crucial for various aspects, from family budgets to international relations. Buildings lead in this area due to their high energy consumption. Research has consistently shown that efficient buildings and proper land use can save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a study by the Institute for New Buildings analyzed 121 LEED-certified commercial office buildings in the U.S. Department of State and found that they consumed 24% less energy than the national average.

In this article, we will talk about LEED strategies for energy efficiency under a holistic approach in 4 fundamental areas: energy demand management, the improvement of energy efficiency, the incorporation of renewable energy sources And the performance maintenance continuous over time.

Energy Demand Management

Buildings have the ability to reduce their energy needs by taking advantage of natural energy sources, such as sunlight, wind and geothermal heat, among others.

• To obtain LEED certification, the use of CFC-based refrigerants in new buildings is not recommended, and existing buildings must dispose of them before completing the project.
• LEED awards points to projects that completely avoid the use of refrigerants or select refrigerants that balance concerns related to ozone layer degradation and climate change.
• Although there are no perfect refrigerants, LEED emphasizes the importance of carefully evaluating performance and environmental impacts when selecting a refrigerant that offers acceptable compensation.
• Together, strategies to reduce energy demand provide the basis for improving energy efficiency and effectively harnessing renewable energy.

Energy efficiency

The next step involves reducing energy consumption while doing the same amount of work. Strategies for achieving energy efficiency include:

• Focus on building structure: Use the appropriate amount of insulation on walls and ceilings, as well as the installation of high-performance glass to minimize unwanted heat loss or gain. It is important to ensure that the building is properly heated.
• Implement efficient mechanical devices and systems: Evaluate operational and capital costs over the lifecycle of these devices and systems, and prioritize investments in energy efficient technologies. Opt for devices that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements to reduce charging demands.
• Use efficient infrastructure: Choose efficient public lighting and LED traffic signs to reduce infrastructure energy consumption in the surrounding area.
• Take advantage of the scale: Design district-level cooling and heating systems, where several buildings share a closed system to improve efficiency.
• Use energy simulations: Use computer modeling to identify and prioritize energy efficiency opportunities
• Monitor and verify performance: Ensure that building systems work as designed and meet the owner's project requirements through continuous monitoring and control systems.

Renewable energy

LEED differentiates between the generation of renewable energy in facilities and the acquisition of green energy from external sources. La on-site power generation generally involves systems that produce electricity in a sustainable way, such as photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy. On the other hand, the renewable energy obtained externally It is generally purchased at a special price per kilowatt-hour through a utility company or a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) provider.

Consistent energy performance

LEED recognizes and promotes operational performance in terms of energy efficiency through its requirements for commissioning of buildings and credits for control and verification. Here are the strategies for incorporating constant performance measurement into a project:

• Meet the owner's requirements from the start and commission the building throughout the life cycle to ensure its operation as planned.
• Train facility management personnel to maintain and improve building performance
• Implement a robust preventive maintenance program
• Involve occupants and tenants by promoting energy efficiency through measures such as the use of efficient equipment, sub-meter-based billing, and education about turning off lights and computers when leaving, in addition to providing feedback on energy performance.

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