Energy Costs
Homes and buildings impose a significant impact on our natural environment, economy, health, and productivity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the total energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in the United States. Approximately 32% of the energy used by homes is for heating and 13% of the energy used by commercial buildings is for heating. By using "green" technologies such as Power*e Glass, we can reduce operating costs, enhance building values, improve air, thermal, and acoustic environments and enhance occupants' comfort and health.
LEED Certification and Power*e Glass
For these purposes, the U.S. Green Building Council has developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system to provide guidance to improve energy savings, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and other matters affecting building design, construction, operations and maintenance. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of sustainable green buildings.
However, new LEED standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council provide conflicting guidelines for environmentally sustainable construction. On the one hand, they recommend more efficient heating and higher performance building exteriors with smaller fewer windows. On the other hand, they recommend more natural daylighting which means more windows.
LEED does not certify products with a certified rating. However, products such as Power*e Glass may contribute to obtaining LEED project points.
Power*e™ is a registered trademark of Radiant Glass Industries, LLC.