Dave Matela, CAFS, Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products, Roswell, Ga.

The Filter Factor: LEED and ASHRAE 52.1 and 52.2

Building owners or developers pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification must evaluate several things relating to energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, related materials and resource selection. But the question the consulting engineer must ask is: Are you focusing on all the right things in seeking LEED-oriented benefits of cost efficiencies, productivity, occupant well-being and property values? In addition to the obvious strategies, such as upgrading to Energy Star-qualified appliances and low-flow toilets, there may be some not-so-obvious ways to achieve LEED prerequisites and credits. One option is to take a closer look at ASHRAE 52.1 and 52.2, which characterize air filtration efficiency.