New Year Shaping Up As Busy One For Green Building Movement

By Scott Kriner, Green Metal Consulting

The New Year is here and it’s time to make our resolutions. If you are like me, those resolutions are often broken before we get too far into the New Year. But it is fun to look ahead and predict what 2010 might be like. We’re all glad to see 2009 end with the worst of the economic downturn, unemployment, and cutbacks behind us – hopefully. Now we turn our attention to a new year with hope for better times and changes for the good. What should we expect to see on the energy conservation front?

The development of the new International Green Construction Code is moving along on a fast track and we should expect to see the first draft of this new code out for public comment by March of this year. Similarly the ASHRAE 189.1P Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings is expected to be published by mid 2010. It will be interesting to see how this new code and new green standard will impact the LEED program. There are already local jurisdictions expressing interest in adopting the ASHRAE standard or the IgCC as their guide for green construction. The new code and the new standard were written in a similar fashion to the LEED building certification program. Many expect that LEED may raise the bar even more in their program to set itself apart from compliance with a green building code.

The Federal government is showing no signs of letting up in their efforts toward Net Zero Energy Building technologies. The DOE is strengthening their Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative and Consortium. This effort has already brought together the US national laboratories, large building owners from all sectors, and trade groups to develop technologies that will significantly lower energy consumption. The Consortium is reporting to Congress twice a year as part of their effort to stimulate the introduction of new technology.

In the middle of all of the green and energy-reducing activity we should see continued growth and interest in the retrofit market during 2010. This is a good opportunity for the metal construction industry to promote metal as a platform for retrofitting roof or wall systems. Metal is a durable product that can support renewable energy sources, energy efficient solar thermal systems, and heat recovery possibilities. The Federal government’s GSA will continue to spend the billions in funds allocated to them from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2010. They are focused on retrofitting the millions of square feet of federal building space. Metal has a chance to be part of this market.

There is no doubt that the surge in popularity of solar and wind energy will continue into 2010. Integrating these technologies into a building envelope creates another potential boon for the metal industry. The durability of metal allows it to outlast the life of typical solar photovoltaic systems or rooftop wind turbine equipment. Fastening techniques that do not penetrate the roof or wall surface allow metal to be an even more attractive platform for these energy technologies. As more electricity rate caps are lifted in states throughout the country, we should see more demand for alternative sources of energy.

The year 2010 is the final year of the federal tax credit for residential metal roofing. However there is talk on Capitol Hill that several tax incentives that were legislated earlier may be extended. The metal construction industry should be working diligently to see that the tax credit is extended to homeowners who install an ENERGY STAR labeled metal roof with paint or coatings specially formulated to reduce energy consumption. Legislation regarding Climate Change will likely be in the headlines before 2010 is over. That legislation will likely have an impact on energy conservation measures. This poses another market opportunity for the metal construction industry to capitalize on the proven and documented energy efficiency of metal roof and wall systems. Whether the growth comes from tax incentives or legislated mandates, metal is poised to benefit from activity in Washington DC in 2010 and beyond.

As you can tell from the tone of this column, I am bullish on the metal construction industry in 2010. Many initiatives are already underway that create opportunities for the industry. Other initiatives may potentially create even more opportunities for metal construction where energy conservation and efficiency are paramount. The industry needs to seize the opportunity when it can.

Happy New Year!

Scott Kriner, MCA's Technical Director, is the president and founder of Green Metal Consulting Inc. He is a LEED Accredited Professional who began his career in the metal construction industry in 1981. His company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the California Association of Building Energy Consultants and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Scott can be reached by email at skriner1@verizon.net, or by phone at (610) 966-2430. You can also visit him on the web at www.greenmetalconsulting.com.  

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