The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has released a standard proposal that would define a high-performance, green building.

Standard 189.1P, “Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings” will provide sustainable-construction minimums for new and substantially renovated buildings, dealing with energy efficiency, water use, building materials and indoor air quality.

The U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America are assisting ASHRAE in its development.

“This standard is an energy-saving stepping stone toward ASHRAE’s goal of net-zero-energy buildings,” said John Hogan, chairman of the committee that wrote the standard. “This is a goal that IESNA and the USGBC support as well as partners in this standard’s development. It also gives building owners or jurisdictions that voluntarily choose to adopt the standard a tool for constructing truly high-performing buildings that provide energy-efficient, safe and comfortable environments for occupants.”

This is its second public review. The comment period runs until April 7.

To comment, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.