LEEDuser’s Guide to Key Changes in LEED-EBOM 2012 – 3rd Public Comment
A review of major and minor changes
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Several key changes are proposed for a new structure for the LEED-EBOM Rating System in 2012. Most significantly, prerequisites and credits now have an Establishment component and a Performance component. In the Establishment portion of the credit, project teams are asked to establish a foundation that the credit will rely on, for example, to develop a policy. The Performance part will request that project teams show evidence of an activity (i.e. a survey, audit, or testing) or ongoing tracking.
LEED 2012 – 3rd Public Comment – Guide to Key Changes and Forum
LEEDuser provides guidance to the third public comment period on LEED 2012, the next version of the LEED rating systems. This public comment period is scheduled to run from March 1st to March 20th.
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Update: USGBC has opened a 4th public comment period, with a LEEDuser forum here. Also, check out our webcast that goes behind the scenes on LEED 2012 reference guide and credit form development.
A Tale of Two Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
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Not all MSDSes are created equal. Because what they are required to report is minimal, manufacturers take very different approaches to how much they disclose.
Looking for better information on chemicals of concern? An MSDS can be a good place to look. Then again, it can be a really bad place to look. Click for a PDF of the full non-information.How Much Insulation Is Enough?
Most leading energy experts today recommend installing a lot more insulation than is common practice. This wall for a Passive House in Seattle will hold about a foot of insulation.
by Alex Wilson
Originally published February 28, 2012
I'm often asked the question, "How much insulation should I install in my house"? It's a great question. Let me offer some recommendations:
First of all...it depends. It depends to a significant extent on where you live. And it depends on whether we're talking about a new house or trying to squeeze insulation into an existing house. Let's assume, for the time being, that we're talking about new construction to simplify the discussion.
Crucial Energy Survey, CBECS, Is Back in Business
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CBECS (the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey) was suspended last May due to federal budget cuts, but now it seems the survey will go on.
Many tools--most notably the popular Energy Star Portfolio Manager--use CBECS data. The benchmarking is only as good as the data backing it, so it comes as a relief to many that CBECS will resume.The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has announced that the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) will continue, thanks to renewed federal funding.