Energy Star for Commercial Building Designs

In order to recognize the role design professionals play in determining the energy efficiency of buildings, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have begun

awarding the Energy Star

^® label to commercial building designs. “A building design will be eligible for the new designation if the building is expected to qualify for the Energy Star label once in operation,” EPA’s Web site explains. Occupied commercial buildings have been eligible for Energy Star designation since 1999 (see

EBN Vol. 8, No. 4). More information is online at www.energystar.gov.