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| BOB AND MARGE SOON DISCOVERED THAT THEIR NEW "ZERO ENERGY" HOME WAS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR. |
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LEED for Homes
The
USGBC has recently launched the LEED for Homes program. LEED for Homes is
a rating system that promotes sustainable design and construction of
residential homes. The certification system is tailored for the construction of
new single-family or low-rise multi-family homes.
LEED measures
sustainable homebuilding performance based on eight categories including:
Innovation in Design, Locations and Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency,
Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality,
and Awareness and Education. Within each of these areas projects can earn
points towards certification.
A few benefits of a LEED certified home
include lower utility bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less
exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. Wright Engineers, the Las Vegas area LEED for Homes provider representative,
works with Davis Energy Group, LEED for Homes Provider in California
and Nevada, and can assist with
LEED certification of your home. If you are interested in building a LEED
certified home contact Dave Rowe at drowe@wrightengineers.com.
20 Ways to Green your Business
1. Turn off lights, computers, and office equipment when the office is not in use. 2. Replace incandescent bulbs with high efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs. 3. Install sensor-activated lights and thermostats in common areas such as break rooms, restrooms and conference rooms. 4. Lower the thermostat setting in winter and raise it in summer. 5. Replace older appliances, air-conditioning, and heating units with high-efficiency products. 6. Regularly maintain and service air-conditioning and heating units including the regular change of filters. 7. Control the building air pressure to eliminate air infiltration and seal all building envelope leaks. 8. Use dual-flush water closets and waterless urinals. 9. Use a landscaping irrigation control system. 10. Get an energy audit of your facility to identify high energy use elements and determine ways to improve energy efficiency. 11. Seek Energy Star or LEED certified office space where available. 12. Switch from disposable paper and plastic plates, cups and utensil to ceramic mugs and dinnerware and metal silverware. 13. Use cotton hand towels in break rooms and restrooms. 14. Distribute memos, reports and other documents in electronic rather than paper format. 15. Provide recycling bins for paper, plastics and glass and participate in a waste recycling program. 16. Buy recycled products when appropriate. 17. Use green and environmentally friendly housekeeping cleaning products. 18. Engage your staff and enlist a sustainability consultant to equip staff with skills and information. 19. Hire a professional to make your business more worker friendly with natural light and fresh air. As an added benefit, studies show it will improve worker productivity.
20. Plant trees to
provide shade and wind protection for your building and to reduce heat island
effect.
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Green Retail Center
Regency Centers, a national developer and publicly traded REIT has registered DeerSprings Town Center for USGBC LEED certification. The 60-acre North Las Vegas development will be the first shopping center in Nevada to fully support sustainable building and development practices. The project’s 700,000 square feet of floor space incorporates LEED principles in its design and construction. In addition to efficient HVAC systems and building envelope design, the center plans to obtain LEED points for sustainable site development, water-efficient landscaping and fixtures, use of sustainable materials, and efforts to improve indoor environmental quality.
To encourage energy conservation, customers driving fuel-efficient cars will be given preferential parking spaces. Bicycle racks will be provided and a bus stop is also planned adjacent to the site. The developer is also planning to purchase “green” power renewable energy credits from a third-party.
Design and construction guidelines will offer tenants to incorporate sustainable design, materials, and techniques in their tenant improvements.
Overall, the project is pursuing LEED certification for about 154,000 square feet using the USGBC core-and-shell guidelines. The development will house national and regional big-box retailers, restaurants and service businesses.
Perkowitz+Ruth is the project architect. The general contractor is the Jaynes Corporation. Wright Engineers is providing all MEP engineering services as well as acting as the commissioning agent and LEED consultant. The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2009.
Free LEED Review Seminar
Wright Engineers will present another series of free LEED review seminars in both our Las Vegas and Utah locations. These seminars will provide a foundation of knowledge for those interested in learning about LEED. Reserve your spot early as seating is limited.
The review seminars in Las Vegas will consist of four weekly two-hour sessions beginning Wednesday, June 4th and ending Wednesday, June 25th at Wright Engineers’ Las Vegas corporate office located at 7425 Peak Drive. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Nicole Cummings by Monday, May 28th at 702-933-7000 or ncummings@wrightengineers.com.
