The built environment is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, creating 42% of the world’s CO2 emissions. But good news—net-zero buildings are possible! Architects interested in reducing the environmental impact of their work have the opportunity to pursue net-zero energy and net-zero carbon building designs.
This seven-part continuing education (CE) series from NCARB introduces key concepts and strategies for achieving net-zero design. Individual courses define relevant terms, break net-zero buildings into their basic elements, and share essential tools for net-zero design. Learn more about parts one to six of this series, and stay tuned for the release of part seven on ce.ncarb.org. Each course in this series is worth 1.25 – 1.5 Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning units (LUs).
Part one of the series, worth 1.5 HSW LUs, provides an overview of the terms “energy” and “carbon” and demonstrates how to measure them in the context of building design. It also emphasizes the impacts of net-zero design on individual projects, overall costs, and society at large. Part two—worth 1.25 HSW LUs—defines “net zero” in relation to both carbon and energy, concluding with a case study of a recent net-zero building.
Parts three and four, worth 1.25 HSW LUs each, examine the elements of both net-zero energy buildings and net-zero carbon buildings. Part three takes a closer look at elements of net-zero energy buildings, the benefits of electrification, and the impact of the grid, and part four examines both operational and embodied carbon emissions generated throughout a building's life cycle.
Parts five and six, also worth 1.25 HSW LUs each, explore the essential tools for net-zero energy design and net-zero carbon design, helping you gain the skills needed to implement net-zero energy and carbon strategies in practice. Part five introduces simulation software and examines case studies of successful net-zero energy projects. Part six reviews carbon emission factor data sources and conversion factors and introduces analysis tools and best practices.
Each course in the series can be taken individually in any order.
NCARB Certificate holders have unlimited access to our library of free CE courses, and we add new courses each month. Learn how you can get NCARB-certified.