Pushing Sustainability with Green Building Rating Systems

Since the introduction of green building, nations have been working on developing methods to successfully integrate this idea into society. Overtime, green building systems have emerged to encourage sustainable building. These systems reward buildings who meet their definition of sustainable with green certification. Obtaining green certification is a desired achievement for many owners since green buildings are highly regarded. Governments hope make green building widespread through green building rating systems.

The past two decades have seen a rise in green building rating systems. Figure 1 shows a few of the most prevalent rating systems. Currently, there are over 25 different home-rating systems in North America and England, each with their own set of guidelines to evaluate the greenness of buildings. Despite their differences, green rating systems tend to include the same five fundamental categories. They include site and location, energy, water, resources, indoor-air quality, and a category about process such as innovation. For a building to get site and location points, it must be located in an area with access to transportation options and/or close proximity to other locations. Points for energy and water are given depending on how efficiently these resources are utilized. Indoor-air quality points are granted based on how well the building provides a healthy and comfortable environment (Jackson, 2010).

Figure 1: Green Building Rating Systems, Source: Sustainability Forestry Initiative. (n.d.). Green Building – SFI. Retrieved from http://www.sfiprogram.org/markets/green-building/

Of all the categories, energy is the one which green rating systems place most emphasis on. In one particular study, it was found that energy efficiency consists of 32% of all points available on average for the seven rating systems studied (Jackson, 2010). As a result, it can be said that energy efficiency is the most important aspect of green building. Figure 2 illustrates the breakdown of the total possible points in LEED v4 by category. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning, or simply known as ASHRAE, Standard 90.1 is the benchmark standard for building energy performance in the United States. This standard limits the power consumption of lighting and mandates that lights be shut by lighting controls when not in use (Gelfo, 2013). Energy building codes act as an incentive for owners to participate in the green movement.

Figure 2: Breakdown of the Available Points in LEED v4 by Category, Source: Cast Stone Institute. (2014, August). Cast Stone and LEED® v4: Design Tips – Technical Bulletin #53. Retrieved from http://www.caststone.org/bulletins/53.html

Having been around for only a short period of time, green building rating systems still have room for improvement. LEED, the most recognized green rating system in the United States, is continually being updated. This system was founded in 1993 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to spread green building knowledge and promote its integration (Chance, 2012). In the 2009 v3 revision, LEED suggests or requires control systems for the building, specifically for its lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). By incorporating control systems, energy usage is reduced, lighting is controlled and indoor environment is improved (Cooperman, Dieckmann, and Brodrick, 2012). Along with green rating systems, building codes are also being upgraded. It was not until recently that states are enforcing green building laws. In 2012, the International Code Council released the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) which aims to reduce the carbon footprints for commercial buildings. As for residential buildings, the 2008 National Green Building Standard was approved to define sustainability for single and multi-family homes. By passing national codes, the government hopes to further encourage green building in all states.

Green building rating systems play a key role in the integration process for green building. Not only do they encourage green building, but they also educate the public on the subject. As rating systems are further studied, they will develop even more effective standards that will change building construction and design for the better.

References

Chance, S. (2012). Planning for environmental sustainability: learning from LEED and the USGBC. Planning for Higher Education, 41(1), 194+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/

Cooperman, A., Dieckmann, J., & Brodrick, J. (2012). Control systems & LEED. ASHRAE Journal, 54(6), 96+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/

Gelfo, M. A. (2013). Energy codes and lighting design. Consulting Specifying Engineer, 50(3), 21+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/

Hupp, E. E. B. (2010). Refining Green Building Regulations and Funding Green Buildings in Order to Achieve Greenhouse Gas Reductions. /43 Urb. Law., 42, 639.

Jackson, M. (2010). Green Home-Rating Systems: A Preservation Perspective. APT Bulletin, 41(1), 13-18. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25652698