The American Institute of Architects

Top Ten Measure 7: Energy Flows & Energy Future

Sustainable design conserves energy and resources and reduces the carbon footprint while improving building performance and comfort. Sustainable design anticipates future energy sources and needs.

• How the building design reduces energy loads for heating, cooling, lighting, and water heating
• How the design and integration of building systems contributes to energy conserva-tion and reduced use of fossil fuels, reduces green house gas emissions and other pollution, and improves building performance and comfort
• Techniques for systems integration, use of controls and technologies, efficient lighting strategies
• Use of on-site renewable and alternative energy systems
• Anticipation of future and carbon neutral fuel sources
• Strategies to reduce peak electrical demand
• How the building or parts of the building provide "passive survivability" the ability to function in the event of power outages or interruptions in fuel supply