Sustainable Building Design Guides & Tools
ENERGY STAR Target Finder - Free Software to Estimate Energy Savings
Target Finder enables professionals designing new facilities to enter the building’s desired energy target (e.g., 20% reduction) and receive in return an estimated target energy intensity (Btu/ft2) that the design team should strive to achieve. Designs meeting certain criteria are eligible for the “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” designation.
Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings
- Free Downloadable Guidelines - AHSHRAE, AIA, IES, USGBC and DOE partnered together to create a sensible, prescriptive approach to achieving a 30% energy savings as compared with similar school buildings meeting only the minimum requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999. The guidelines are downloadable for free.
- Free Online Webinar - The Department of Energy’s EnergySmart Schools Initiative provides a FREE online webinar on how to use the Advanced Energy Design Guide (AEDG) for K-12 School Buildings. Paul Torcellini and Shanti Pless, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, presented this overview originally on April 16, 2009.
EnergySmart Schools – Online Resources & “How-to” Guides for K-12 Schools
A free online resource, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, with “how-to” guides that address 1) planning, 2) financing, 3) designing and building, and 4) operations and maintenance of K-12 schools to assist decision makers in identifying useful strategies that result in high performance facilities. The site also provides links to K-12 curricula and resources for administrators, facility managers and other stakeholders.
LEED for Schools – Rating System for New Facilities
A comprehensive green building program including guidelines, a rating system and third-party certification that recognizes achievements in the construction of new school facilities. Depending on points earned, the new facility can achieve one of four ratings (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Based on the core LEED Rating System for New Construction, LEED for Schools addresses unique characteristics of K-12 and higher education buildings.
EarthCraft Light Commercial – Regional Green Building Certification Program
This is an affordable third-party green building certification program for small –scale commercial buildings. The program is currently in pilot phase. It provides a prescriptive pathway to achieving certification for newly constructed building projects or major renovations that are less than 15,000 square feet. Smaller schools may be eligible to participate in the program.
Green Globes – Guidelines for New & Existing Schools
A user-driven, questionnaire-based process that helps assess the performance of a school building in a variety of areas. Answers are associated with point levels; the total point level indicates the performance of the building.
