ATLANTA - Commissioning can help ensure that the sustainable development principles contained in building rating systems, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), perform as intended. A new commissioning guideline from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has been developed to assist in that process.

"Commissioning typically helps to ensure good indoor environmental quality, reduce energy and water consumption, and improves how well the building is operated, all of which are the intent of LEED," stated Jay Enck, a member of ASHRAE's technical committee on building commissioning.