the

store

Examples
Example 1. Light level analysis1

During the early stages of a Schools project, the team was able to reduce the number of
lighting fixtures in classrooms by 25% compared with standard practice by selecting a paint
color whose light reflectance value was 75%, instead of 64% for the initial proposed paint
selection, while maintaining adequate illuminance (roughly 50 footcandles) on work
surfaces.

The reduction in the number of light fixtures has multiple benefits, beyond the initial savings
in fixture purchases and installation: the cost of electrical energy for lighting falls by 25%
over the life of the building, and since lighting produces heat, the costs for cooling (roughly
1 watt of energy for every 3 watts of lighting) are reduced.

Example 2. Determining load reduction strategies

Determining effective load reduction strategies is the first step in creating an energy-
efficient building. Early focus on load reduction is important because once the space
programming is completed and the building is constructed, changing certain components
that affect loads becomes difficult and expensive, especially for a building dominated by
external or building envelope loads.

An example of a dominant external load is a fully glazed western façade in a mixed climate
like New York City. This type of façade creates large loads for both cooling and heating,
resulting in excessive energy use and oversizing of HVAC systems. Example strategies to
decrease envelope loads include increasing insulated opaque wall area (balanced with
daylighting strategies), increasing the insulating value of the glazing and window frame
system, and summer solar shading.

On the other end of the spectrum are large buildings with dominant internal loads, like
hospitals. Internal loads are often cooling loads, created by a combination of heat-
producing lighting, equipment, and occupants. Conditioning of outside air is another big
internal load. Load reduction strategies include decreasing lighting power, providing
daylighting, reducing plug loads, using economizers for free cooling, and reducing the
amount of ventilation air during periods of partial occupancy with CO2 sensors.

In both cases, significant energy load reductions can be achieved. The concept model can
provide feedback on which combination of strategies is likely to be the most effective and
guide the design team in preparation for modeling HVAC systems. This allows HVAC
systems to be properly sized and equipment efficiency improved in subsequent models;
the team may be able to downsize or even eliminate equipment. The integrated approach
can thus save both energy and capital costs of construction.

Example 3. Worksheet Documentation

Describe how research and analysis uncovered through discovery influenced the project
building program, form, geometry, and/or configuration.

The architect and mechanical engineer both started with the idea that two 100-ton chillers
would be necessary for the AC system but had not thoroughly considered modifications to
the building envelope design. Using the energy model to inform decisions about both, they
instead specified two 50-ton chillers. The project also had a “future expansion” component
that was not adequately defined, so the team experienced difficulty planning for design
flexibility. The team paused and specifically addressed adaptability during the goal-setting
workshop and then in the OPR, including which materials would be reclaimed or reused
during the future expansion phase. Although opinions differed on the best way forward, the
team’s interaction added clarity to the process and better defined the expectations for the
building’s operations and future phasing.

1
Adapted from 7group and Bill G. Reed, The Integrative Design Guide to Green
Building: Redefining the Practice of Sustainability (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009).

About
About USGBC
Advocacy
LEED AP
LEED Green Associate
LEED rating system
Membership
Work at USGBC
Resources
Credentials account
Guide to LEED Certification
Help
LEED Credit Library
Press
USGBC+ magazine
Directory