Energy reduction strategies for existing buildings

Considering the current Global economical crisis, it is understood that "People are renovating than building new". This is the correct time to focus on reducing energy consumption in existing building to save money and reduce carbon emissions.
Existing building present greater challenges, they offer us a greater opportunity to significantly impact our overall national energy demand,reduce our dependence upon oil and gas and minimise our carbon footprint.

Strategies of energy reduction:

• Reduce building footprint.
• Reflective white roof.
• Daylight harvesting.
• Maintaining light density of 0.8w/sqft.
• Using energy recovery units.
• Variable volume ventilation systems.
• A High-Albedo roof that reduces heat absorption.
• Water efficient landscaping.
• Water efficient fixtures within building.
• Increase wall and roof insulation.
• Efficient glazing, extensive day lighting, lighting sensors and occupancy sensors.
• CO2 & CO sensor with controls.
• Waste water usage reduction using waterless urinals and bathroom sinks with automatic shut-off.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics- Gaining Momentum

The major problem in incorporating solar power in building is the availability of space in roof to accommodate solar panels or collectors. Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) provides the solution.
BIPV incorporates photovoltaic as integral part of the building components such as part of roof or wall or vision glass. This has been used in Masdar city, Abudhabi project.
The International Energy Agency estimates that, with good solar yield assumed to be 80%. BIVP solar power production potential over current electricity consumption by PV floors and facades varies from 15% to 60%.
The achievable level depends ultimately on the building area available, as well as on solar radiation levels and electricity consumption. All theses factors implies that BIVP could have a massive potential in Middle east, where major international players are positioning themselves carefully to take advantage of the "desert renewables boom".
However, a big challenge are the cost and the difficulty of installation process. These factors could be mitigated by current research and development, then MEP consultants and architects could change there design to benefit from a totally new slot of the market.

LEED NC 2.2 Vs LEED NC 2009

Down load the file here which compares LEED NC 2.2 and LEED NC 2009 from here comparision LEED NC 2.2 and LEED NC 2009
Any comments and insight into rating systems shall be greatly appreciated especially in regional credits

How do I prepare for LEED Exam?

1. Register with http://www.usgbc.org/- browse the contents of the site on day today basis most of the information required for the exam taker is free, official and authentic.
2. Schedule your exam. 2-3 months of regular study and 2-3 days of intensive study should be enough in my experience.
3. Download LEED NC summary book which lists the intent, requirements, submittals and technologies/strategies for each credit and includes the Credit Checklist from here.
4. Obtain LEED NC manual for the detailed explanations of above. This requires payment, your employer may provide it.
5. As you prepare for the exam tabulate each credit intent. requirements, statergies,standards refered, submital phase(design/construction), submital documents, requirements for exemplary performance and any key points which you feel is important for that credit.You can download a similar table from here.
6. Go through the registration process in http://www.usgbc.org/
7. Go through the certification process in http://www.usgbc.org/
8. Go through the CIR process in http://www.usgbc.org/
9. Go through the following quizes from university of florida

Sustainable Site

Water Efficiecy

Energy and Atmosphere

Material Resources

Indoor Environmental Quality

Innovative Design

Standards and References

Verify your answers here

Try this practice exam once you are prepared

Write to me on any clarifications

What are the benifits getting a building certified?

• Certification process enables third party to verification that your buildings are as per the required green building standard.
• Lower Operating cost of building.
• There are also other benefits of selling or renting the property at premium price, getting the market attracted towards the property or facility etc.

Which exam should I take to become LEED AP?

To become LEED AP any of the LEED Exams can be qualified. You should select the LEED Rating system which you want to appear based on your profession.

90% of LEED APs have qualified in LEED NC as major projects come under this category.

My recomedations are as below

If u r a Consultant, Designer you can go for LEED NC

If u r a Interior Designer go for LEED CI

If u r a facilities manager go for LEED EB

If u r a group from same company different people can take different rating system so that you ll have diversified knowledge and can compliment each other.

What are the various LEED Rating Systems?

1. LEED for New Construction (LEED NC) and Major Renovation- Applicable for Residential buildings of 4 or more habitable stories, Commercial buildings, retail areas, hotels etc. Major renovation means the renovation in which the building envelope, HVAC System and Major interior Rehabilitation are done

2. LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED EB)- Applicable for Existing buildings which are 2 years or older. Focuses on sustainable operation and maintenance of the building.

3. LEED for Core & Shell Building(LEED CS)- Applicable for buildings where the building owner develops only the exterior structure and the interiors will be done by the tenants

4. LEED for Commercial Interiors(LEED CI) – This is applicable for the tenants of core & shell building

5. LEED Home- Individual Homes, multifamily homes (3 or less habitable stories)

6. LEED Schools- Self explanatory

7. LEED Neighbourhood Development- Applicable for township development