ATLANTA – The newly published third edition of the ASHRAE GreenGuide: The Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable Buildings is an updated version of this easy-to-use reference that covers the need-to-know information on what to do, where to turn, what to suggest and how to interact with other members of the design team in a productive way.

The book features new information on guidelines on sustainable energy master planning; updates on teaming strategies; information on how issues related to carbon emissions affect building design and operational decisions; building information modeling (BIM); strategies for greening existing buildings; updates on newly developed green building rating systems and standards; and compliance strategies for key ASHRAE standards. Also, the GreenTips found throughout this edition highlight techniques, processes, measures or special systems in a concise format.

“The ASHRAE GreenGuide is a living document meant to be used by proactive design engineers working on green building design projects as part of a team that provides ideas and guidance of what to do, where to turn, what to advise and how to interact with other team members in a productive way,” John Swift, co-author and co-editor of the GreenGuide, said.

A new chapter covers architectural design and planning impacts, including sustainable master planning. Such planning addresses resource use, landscape concerns and environmental, economic and social concerns. A major part of such planning is energy and water use.

“As a smart building services engineer, one must be familiar with the flows of energy from generation through transmissions to consumption,” Tom Lawrence, co-author and chair of ASHRAE’s technical committee on building environmental impacts, said. “Understanding these flows is critical to being able to provide solutions that increase overall system efficiencies and facilitate energy reductions at all levels.”

The cost of the ASHRAE GreenGuide is $98 ($83, ASHRAE members). To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore

ASHRAE is an international technical society that fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.