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Learn & Plan Topics

  • Water Efficiency

    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.

  • Sustainable Sites

    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.

  • Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

    Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.

  • Building Systems Upgrades

    The following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use and occupant comfort. Refer to the Share Section for a representative project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.


Whole Building Analysis


Materials

  • Occupant Sensor

    Occupant controls use sensors to determine when there are people in a given space. The lights turn on when motion or heat is detected in the space and they turn off based on a set amount of time in the absence of heat or motion.

  • Glass - Single Pane

    Single pane windows are not typical in new commercial buildings as they resist the transfer of heat poorly and have an insulating value of approximately R-1.

  • Glass - Low Emissivity

    A Low-E coating is a microscopic thin layer of metal or metal oxide deposited on window glass to prevent heat and ultra-violet (UV) rays from passing through the glass.

  • Skylights / Solar Tubes

    Skylights/light tubes allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are typically located in the roof/ceiling and can vary in size. Certain solar tracking skylights have mirrors in them that track the sun in order to maximize the amount of daylight brought into the space. Installation of either exterior baffles or interior shades on skylights provide control of natural light flow allowing for the minimization of heat gain and glare.

  • Paper Composite

    Paper Composite is a type of solid surfacing countertop made from paper, fibers and resin. The resin typically does not come from recycled sources; however, it only constitutes a small portion of the material used. They are available in a range of colors, are very durable and handle heat well.

  • Laminate

    Laminate is created from layers of decorative paper and kraft paper - a strong, moisture-resistant product. These papers are treated with melamine resin or plastic coating and fused together using high heat and pressure. The name Formica is often used to describe laminate, but Formica is actually a name brand, much like Kleenex.

  • Aluminum Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Aluminum frames are strong, less prone to warping, but typically are less energy efficient since aluminum is a good conductor of heat. Look for thermally improved aluminum window frames.

  • Glass - Tinted / Colored

    Although clear glass is the most common glass component of a window system, tinted glass may be used to reduce solar heat gain. The principal colors available are bronze, gray and green and the degree of tint depends on both the composition of the glass and the thickness of the coating. Tinted glass is usually placed on the exterior of the glass.

  • Lamp Types

    There are many different types of light bulbs / lamps used at commercial buildings including fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and Light Emitting Diode (LED). Incandescent lighting is becoming obsolete. Lamp selection should be driven by efficiency, lamp life, color quality of the light and its intended use. - Fluorescent lights do not give off as much heat, can be highly efficient and have a long useful life. However, they contain mercury and typically are not dimmable unless using a dimmable ballast. - CFLs can produce a warm light, are highly efficient and have a long useful life. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and are also sensitive to frequent on/off cycling and as such their rated lifetimes may be reduced if switched on/off regularly. Not all CFLs are dimmable. - LED lamps do not contain mercury, are highly efficient, turn on quickly, are dimmable, and have a long useful life. LEDs are currently more costly and have a light quality that is typically whiter than incandescent.

Green Products

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Procure Products 32

in the Green Products Compilation