The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will work cooperatively on a study, Identifying Key Design, Construction and Operation Variables Affecting Energy Performance in LEED Certified Buildings. MCERF will provide up to $75,000 in funding for this project. LEED-certified buildings have demonstrated significantly lower energy use than their counterparts, but a statistically high variance in energy use exists in a sample group, even within similar building types. The MCERF/USGBC study will review the design, construction, operations practices and strategies of the best and worst energy performers in this sample (~18). MCERF and the USGBC will develop detailed case studies on at least six of the buildings to provide specific examples of why energy performance differs so broadly. A protocol for screening buildings will be developed and implemented during the study to identify underlying variables influencing performance. A narrative report and educational presentation highlighting the findings of the project analysis and illustrative case studies will result.

For more information about MCERF, contact Dennis Langley at dlangley@mcaa.org.