Abstract
In this study, in order to evaluate the possibility of achieving the Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) goal, the history of sustainable construction, and available green-rating systems with specific focus on Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system were explained. LEED rating system was selected as the most prevalent rating system in the industry to evaluate and analyze its efficiencies/drawbacks specifically in regards to the energy efficiency. The goal of this study is to answer an important question of the reasons to focus on NZEB concept when LEED rating has come up with a detailed certification process, which is somehow beneficial in regards to energy reduction. NZEB concept is defined as an evolution of very energy-efficient approach and it requires that the buildings have zero energy balance on an annual basis. This paper explains this questions in detail and it consists of three parts: in the first part sustainable building rating system including LEED certification is explained. The second part explains the deficiencies of LEED rating system in regards to the energy performance of buildings and the last part explains the NZEB concept and the movement towards the NZEB target.
Highlights
The increasing attention to sustainability is pushing the construction sector towards rapid changes where policies, laws and regulations around the world demanding the need to adopt sustainable innovation in terms of products and processes to encourage more sustainable buildings [1]
As the concerns toward climate change and global warming increase, the development of building environmental assessment methods within many individual countries domestic market has risen drastically where Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) of the UK, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) for the Japan market are some examples of green codes around the world [5]
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) as one of the most established codes in the US and another countries is a green building certification system developed by United States Green Building Council (USGBC) which encourages a building or community to be designed with consideration of environmental impact, energy savings, and human comfort [7, 8]
Summary
The increasing attention to sustainability is pushing the construction sector towards rapid changes where policies, laws and regulations around the world demanding the need to adopt sustainable innovation in terms of products and processes to encourage more sustainable buildings [1]. As the concerns toward climate change and global warming increase, the development of building environmental assessment methods within many individual countries domestic market has risen drastically where Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) of the UK, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) for the Japan market are some examples of green codes around the world [5]. The International Green Construction Code (IgCC), American Society for Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1, Energy Star, United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) and the most recent standard, Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) as a certification path under the Living Building Challenge (LBC) presenting an evolution of very energy-efficient buildings requiring the buildings to have zero energy balance on an annual basis, are examples of energy codes in the US as depicted in [6]. Even though the above-mentioned ratings and standards could battle climate change, resource depletion and environmental damages, they still need to be embraced by society and individuals before they can become effective solutions
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