Sustainable Facilities Tool

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside a building. It does not refer to the air quality alone, but the entire environmental quality of a space, which includes air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort.

Choosing a building's site and managing that site during construction are important considerations for a project’s sustainability. Environmentally responsible site selection discourages development of previously undeveloped land; minimizes a building's impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; rewards smart transportation choices; and controls stormwater runoff. Additionally, appropriate site management can reduce erosion, light pollution, the heat island effect and construction-related pollution. Buildings can be placed in various locations; project teams should choose the environmentally preferred option and follow up with responsible stewardship of the site.

Buildings and facilities rely on the operation of mechanical systems and electrical systems to maintain a comfortable indoor environmental quality for occupants. Building operations consume approximately 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Greenhouse gases are generated and released throughout the life cycle of producing and consuming fossil fuel energy. These greenhouse gases directly contribute to air pollution and climate change. Therefore, atmospheric problems can be reduced by increasing the efficiency with which energy is used‚ optimizing the use of natural energy resources‚ and understanding the effects of energy technologies on the atmosphere.

Buildings are significant users of the Earth’s potable water supply.  The goal of a responsible building operator should be to encourage a smarter use of water, both inside and outside the facility.  Indoor water use reduction is typically achieved through efficient plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances and process equipment used to heat and cool the building; outdoor water use reduction efforts should focus on water-wise landscaping.

In the construction and day-to-day operations of buildings, many materials and resources are used and a great deal of waste is generated.  The materials selected for use in a facility and the way they are disposed of impact the environment.

Sustainability is best thought of as a process, rather than a thing. US Executive Order 13423 states that sustainability “means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.” In order to achieve such conditions, new ways of designing, constructing and operating buildings and facilities must be identified.

Environmental programs help buyers identify products and services with positive environmental attributes.  Examples include ENERGY STAR, WaterSense, EPEAT, BioPreferred.  Some environmental programs are mandatory for federal buyers, while others support the achievement of E.O. 13514 and agency sustainability goals.