scope:

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, much information has been put forth about the impact of the built environment (e.g., buildings) on the natural environment. This information has been both written and spoken, and there have been conferences and seminars on the subject and organizations have sprung up devoted specifically to this issue. Not only have the messages contained in this outpouring of information attempted simply to explain what this issue is, but they have variously promoted the concept of "green" design, exhorted to action, strived to motivate, warned of consequences from ignoring it, and instructed how to do it.

While this vast amount of promotion has often been helpful, much has been either largely irrelevant or simply not useful to the practicing designer of HVAC&R systems and equipment for buildings (i.e., to the ASHRAE member involved on a day-to-day basis in the mechanical/electrical building system design process). Based on input received from grassroots ASHRAE members, a need was felt for guidance on the green-building concept specifically directed toward such practitioners. A desire was also expressed that it contains information of direct practical use. This Guide is an attempt to meet that need

Green is one of those words that can have more than a half-dozen meanings, depending on circumstances. One of these is the greenery of nature (grass, trees, and leaves). It is this reference to nature-symbolic, if you will-that is the meaning this term denotes in this publication. While not all things in nature are green, we believe that the term green serves as a fitting verbal symbol of the concept and practices this Guide strives to promote. While green is a fitting symbol, it does not completely encompass the full meaning of sustainability, which is maintaining ecological balance.

The difference between a green and sustainable design is the degree to which the design helps to maintain this ecological balance. Some characteristics of green design have no impact in terms of maintaining ecological balance, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ), an important element of green design. Many green design characteristics, such as reduced energy usage and pollution, do have positive long-term effect. This Guide contains green and sustainable design elements but is not intended to cover the full breadth of sustainability.