LEED has introduced an opportunity for projects pursuing certification under LEED v4 with the option to substitute the Renewable Energy Credit (REC) criteria from LEED v4.1. This change provides a streamlined pathway for projects to earn more points while advancing their sustainability goals. Here’s why this substitution matters and how your project can benefit from it.

Effective March 1, 2024, the LEED v4 energy update introduces significant changes to Energy and Atmosphere (EA) prerequisites and credits. This article breaks down the key changes based on review of LEED articles, new reference guide language, associated calculator tools and our team’s experience on a few projects.

Introducing the BEM ToolBox!

As owners, architects and energy modelers strive to create sustainable, energy-efficient buildings, it is crucial to consider the impact of windows on the overall performance of those buildings. Windows are a primary source of heat gain and loss, affecting a building's energy consumption and indoor comfort.

Yiyu Chen, Sustainability Engineer at Zero Envy, shares his thoughts on a recently completed edX course: Data Science in Construction, Architecture and Engineering. Yiyu and his colleagues at Zero Envy have been learning the Python programming language and data science techniques in order to leverage them in their energy analysis work.

If your nonresidential project has metal-framed exterior walls, the California Energy Code’s mandatory insulation requirements pushes you into installing continuous insulation. Is there any way around that? Perhaps. Keep reading to learn more…

In a time where the State of California is (supposed to be?) pushing toward net zero energy buildings, Savings by Design has the opportunity to represent the future of California’s “Title 24” Energy Code.

Zero Envy principal, Greg Collins, will be speaking at GreenBuild and Facade Tectonics in Los Angeles. Come learn a thing or two and show your support!

Zero Envy was founded to fill a void in the space that lies between building owners, developers, architects, engineers, energy utilities and regulatory agencies. It’s clear that we’re all moving in a direction where the built environment must provide more to users, while consuming so much less. The problem is balancing the priorities of all of these stakeholders while still delivering a product that maintains its original value.