The ASHRAE GreenGuide, published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, serves as a reference manual for HVAC&R designers, providing them with guidance on green design from project design through construction, operation and maintenance to demolition.

The book addresses architectural design impacts, conceptual engineering design, space thermal/comfort delivery systems, energy distribution systems, energy conservation systems, energy/water sources, lighting systems, plumbing and fire protection systems and controls.

The guide features 29 ASHRAE GreenTips, which are sidebars containing information on techniques, processes, measures or systems. The tips contain a list of other sources for reference.

For example, a GreenTip on night precooling provides a description of the process (circulation of cool air within a building during the nighttime hours with the intent of cooling the structure), when and where it is applicable, its pros and cons and key elements of cost.

Other GreenTips include use of ground-source heat pumps, desiccant cooling and dehumidification, solar energy systems and rainwater harvesting.

The cost of the ASHRAE GreenGuide is $99 ($79 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, by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, or visit the ASHRAE.org Bookstore at