Living Buildings are intended to be examples of the highest level of environmental performance currently possible. Combustion perpetuates the consumption of fossil fuels or biomass, has negative impacts on both ecological services and air quality, and is a major contributor to climate change.
New construction projects pursuing certification under Core or the Living Building Challenge may not contain combustion-based equipment, unless they meet an exception. Note that this is also true for Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certifications.
Existing and Interior projects may retain existing combustion-based heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, where modification to the system is not in the project scope.
Additional detail on requirements and exceptions related to combustion can be found in the Energy Petal Handbook. In some cases, limited presence or use of combustion-based systems and equipment is allowed in new construction. For example, combustion generators are allowed for emergency use at critical facilities, and fireplaces are allowed in certain situations within certain Living Transects. Project teams should carefully review their energy strategy to ensure that they can comply with this Imperative.
