Working together, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering  Society of North America (IES) have published ASHRAE Standard 189.1, The Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. It covers site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials, and resources. ASHRAE Standard 189.1 also covers the building’s construction and plans for operation.

 

It is important to note that ASHRAE Standard 189.1 is not a design guide and it’s not a rating system. It is written using code language and, if adopted by a jurisdiction, will establish a standard that can be enforced by officials.

 

For more information you can read ASHRAE’s press release announcing publication of 189.1, or go to ASHRAE’s publications page for a full description of 189.1.