Atlanta - 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.

"Readers should assume that when HVAC&R designers find themselves in a situation where a green design is to be done, this guide will help answer the question 'what do I do now,'" editor David Grumman, P.E., Grumman/Butkus Associates, Evanston, Ill., said.

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.

"The ASHRAE GreenTips give designers enough familiarity with the subject to enable them to determine whether it is suitable for the project being worked on," Grumman said.

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 800-527-4723 or visit the www.ASHRAE.org Bookstore.