QA Graphics, founded in 2006, is an Iowa-based company that provides graphic and interactive design for the building automation industry.

The company's Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard was listed as one of the top 10 green building products of 2010 by Sustainable Industries. It also won Readers’ Choice Awards from both Environmental Design + Construction magazine and Sustainable Facility Magazine.

Green Education: Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard

Essentially, the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard is an educational display that shows the building's green features and real-time performance data along with green building tips and lessons.

For example, a typical dashboard from QA Graphics includes some of the following:

• Real-time building data and historical comparison graphs
• LEED checklist
• Environmental tips
• Interactive quiz
• Leaderboard among campus buildings or floors of the building
• Company information and donor recognition

The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard is a web application that can be used on a hardware display, such as a kiosk or touchscreen, or on the internet or intranet.

The dashboard is integrated with your building automation system (or other devices) to display the real-time data. QA Graphics has multiple versions that are compatible with building automation systems - including Gateway for BAS Devices or Meters, Web Interface for JCI Metasys, and Module for Niagara AX.

 

According to QA Graphics, the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard can contribute to a LEED project in Innovation in Design.

According to a Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR) in 2001, a LEED project can earn Innovation in Design credit for implementing a green building education program. The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard can contribute to this credit because it educates building visitors on the green aspects of the building.

To learn more about this CIR and requirements for achieving this credit, see Green Signage Plan: LEED ID Points for Education?.

Additionally, under the LEED for Schools rating system, the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard could contribute to Innovation in Design Credit 3: The School as a Teaching Tool. This credit awards 1 point for a school that creates a curriculum based on the building's energy performance. The dashboard could be integrated into lesson plans, since it documents the building's energy use and conveys the information in an educational way.

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