by Christopher E. Chwedyk, AIA, CSI, NCARB

By far, the most often asked question I have received since the beginning of 2013 has been about the requirements for commissioning in the new Illinois Energy Conservation Code for Commercial and Residential Buildings which became effective on 1/01/13. Although much free training has been done for the design professional community over the past year by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), very little on the subject of commissioning is covered during these day-long programs. Interestingly, the DCEO website does contain a Frequently Asked Questions page with the opinions of the Illinois Energy Office (advisory only), but in the category of Building Commissioning it only indicates “Coming Soon”. However, that is only part of the problem.

Under the new Section C408 of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (as adopted by Illinois) there are just twenty paragraphs detailing the requirements for System Commissioning. Included are requirements for building mechanical systems which are covered under Section C403, and for electrical and power and lighting systems covered under Section C405. (Note that these sections all begin with the letter ‘C’, indicating that they are for ‘Commercial’ buildings only. Residential buildings have now been separated in the IECC, have an ‘R’ designation, and are located in the front half of the code.) The following systems are exempt from the commissioning requirements:

1. Mechanical systems in buildings where the total mechanical equipment capacity of the project is less than 480,000 Btu/h cooling capacity and 600,000 Btu/h heating capacity.
2. Systems that serve dwelling units and sleeping units in hotels, motels, boarding houses or similar ‘Commercial’ units.

Of course, this list of exclusions is very easily verified by examining the drawings. What is not so simple is trying to understand all the various activities that are necessary for the commissioning process when it is required. Unfortunately, unless you are the engineer of record on the project (or a LEED-AP), many aspects of the Commissioning Plan will seem like overkill. This is especially on smaller projects. For example, the Commissioning Plan must include the following items:

1. A narrative description of the activities that will be accomplished during each phase of commissioning, including the personnel intended to accomplish each of the activities.
2. A listing of the specific equipment, appliances or systems to be tested and a description of the tests to be performed.
3. Functions to be tested, including, but not limited to calibrations and economizer controls.
4. Conditions under which the test will be performed. At a minimum, testing shall affirm winter and summer design conditions and full outside air conditions.
5. Measurable criteria for performance.

The Code also stipulates that the Commissioning Plan must be developed by either a registered design professional or approved agency. So, it could be the engineer or record, or an outside engineer, or a third party commissioning agent that is “approved” (supposedly by the code official).

Along with the testing and balancing of the HVAC system and the “functional” testing of the lighting system (checking to see if the lights go on and off), there is a preliminary report, an acceptance by letter from the owner to the building official that the preliminary report has been received, and verification to the building official of the receipt of as-built record drawings and manuals that have been issued to the building owner within 90 days of the receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy.

Now, many owners, developers and tenants are being told that their Certificate of Occupancy will be withheld by the municipality if the above measures have not been taken. Technically, that is correct, but when recently questioned about the matter, Darren Meyers at International Energy Conservation Consultants (trainers for the Illinois IECC), said he knew of no municipality that was actively engaged in withholding Certificates of Occupancy for this reason.

It is also the case that ASHRAE 90.1-2010 has provisions for commissioning, but they are only for projects larger than 50,000 sq ft (except warehouse and semi-heated spaces). The instructions for commissioning the HVAC system must still be provided by the system designer in the project plans and specifications, and also included in the record drawings provided to the owner, but there is no direction to send these to the building official. Therefore, if you follow the 90.1 compliance path, you could avoid the issue of withholding Certificate of Occupancy – unless the municipality chooses to mandate the same requirements in either case.

Another possibility would be for the municipality to exempt projects from performing duplicate work when they are already seeking LEED Certification, which is done in California under the CAL Green Building Code. When the building owner has met the commissioning requirements for LEED, similar documentation is submitted to the U.S. Green Building Council that all tasks have been completed. This documentation includes a copy of the commission plan along with a letter certifying that the building’s design intent was met. Most likely, a LEED project will exceed the requirements under the Energy Code anyway – at least on paper.

Related Posts:

• How Do You Know When You Need LEED Consulting Services?
• What is LEED Certification?
• The Value of Using Green Building Consultants for Your Next Project
• The LEED Certification Process – Part 1: Requirements
• Building Energy Audit Checklist: 3 Areas Not to Miss

The first step in the LEED certification process is gaining a solid understanding of why the LEED standards exist in the first place.  So, let’s take a look at the rating system’s history and what it is intended to accomplish.

The Very Basics

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  The program was developed in the 1990s by the U.S, Green Building Council (USGBC), an organization founded in 1993 to promote sustainable methods of building design, construction, and maintenance.  LEED has grown from a single standard in 1994 to five divisions covering all aspects of the construction process.  These include:

1. Green Building Design and Construction – Under this division are five subcategories:
2. LEED for new construction projects
3. LEED for building cores and shells
4. LEED for school buildings
5. LEED for building and renovating retail centers
6. LEED for healthcare facilities

2. Green Interior Design and Construction – With two subcategories:

1. LEED for commercial building interiors
2. LEED for commercial retail interiors

3. Green building operations and maintenance – With one subcategory:

1. LEED for maintaining and operating existing buildings

4. LEED for developing neighborhoods – With one subcategory:

1. LEED for neighborhood development

5. Green Home Design Construction and Design – One subcategory:

1.    LEED for homes

The LEED Ratings System

As of 2009, there are five credit categories in which points may be earned for compliance with LEED sustainability criteria: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy/atmosphere, materials/resources, and indoor environmental quality.  Points can also be earned for regional priority and innovative design factors.  Buildings can receive one of four LEED certification levels, depending on how well they conform to green building standards.  These levels are:

1. Certified – granted when a site receives between 40 and 49 points
2. Silver – for sites with 50-59 points
3. Gold – for sites with 60 to 79 points
4. Platinum – reserved for sites with 80+ points

The credit/ratings system’s purpose is to lessen the environmental impact of building projects, while at the same time increasing their benefits to humanity, in accordance with EPA standards.  These are in turn derived from field studies that measure the consequences of construction and maintenance materials and techniques.

What LEED Means For Residential Construction

LEED has a special section governing how both new and existing homes can gain certification.  For sites under construction, the standards apply to both single and multi-family units, in areas such as energy and water efficiency, site selection, interior environmental quality, materials election, and building methods used.

Existing homes can be remodeled to qualify for the LEED certification process.  Steps that can be taken include switching to tankless water heaters, using low-flow toilets, and painting with low- or no-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints.  These contain lower amounts of compounds found in regular paints that can cause respiratory issues.  While some of the projects needed to make an existing dwelling LEED compliant can be tackled by homeowners, the more extensive ones usually require the help of a professional contractor.

REGREEN: a Resource for Homeowners and Contractors

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has partnered with USGBC to develop a web-based resource for homeowners interested in LEED-compliant remodeling.  Known as REGREEN, it offers interactive tools and other resources geared towards laypeople, covering projects ranging from room-by-room renovation to an entire home makeover.

Obtaining LEED Certification For New Building Projects

The process begins with paying a fee and submitting an application for certification.  This brings the applicant in touch with a LEED provider, who will be his or her primary contact person.  After deciding on the level of certification to be pursued, an official known as a Green Reader will inspect the project at least twice, once during construction and once after.  A LEED accredited professional may also offer guidance during this phase.

The Green Reader creates a final report, which in turn goes back to the LEED provider.  This is sent to the USGBC, which either approves or denies the original request.  If approval is granted, then the USGBC sends the applicant a notice of certification.  The council may also assist with preparing marketing materials and/or press releases, announcing the completion of a LEED-compliant structure in the particular geographical area.

Is LEED Certification Worth Pursuing?

This is a question that is still debated in some circles.  There is no doubt that pursuing the certification may raise design and construction costs.  It can also cause delays in meeting deadlines, as many contractors are unfamiliar with green building materials and techniques and have to go through their own learning process.  In fact, it might be difficult for some builders to obtain green construction materials, further exacerbating the additional costs and time factors.

These drawbacks are more than offset by the benefits of certification, however.  These include:

ü  Lower post-construction operating and maintenance costs, due to highly efficient use of resources such as electricity and water.

ü  Better salability prospects, as many buyers look for LEED certification and will pay a premium for properties that obtain it.

ü  A healthier environment for those who live and/or work in the structure, due to use of eco-friendly resources.

ü  A feeling of satisfaction derived from constructing earth-friendly buildings that benefit both humans and the environment.

Burnham Nationwide Can Help You Achieve LEED Certification

Our staff of LEED accredited professionals, along with our architects and inspectors, can assist with all phases of obtaining your USGBC certification goals.  Contact us today to find out more and speak to a LEED accredited professional about your project.

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• The LEED Certification Process – Part 1: Requirements

When: 20 Sep 2012

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440-0591

Join the USGBC – Illinois Chapter South Suburban and Fox Valley Branches for a roundtable program on understanding and implementing green codes and standards in your municipality!

This event has been approved for 4.0 GBCI CE and AIA CEU hours.

During this program, our speakers will set the stage for how best practices and sustainable outcomes can be driven by a combination of codes, standards and rating systems. This seminar will address synergies and differences between the International Green Construction Code, that includes ASHRAE Standard 189.1, and LEED Rating Systems. Following this overview, panelists will discuss challenges in and the implementation of green codes and standards in towns, villages and cities. In particular, panelists will address the following:

• Interplay between green construction codes and state and local law.
• What green construction code is right for my community or state?
• Green construction code decision making and implementation from start to finish.

After attending this program, attendees will:

• Understand the distinct and complementary roles of green codes, standards and rating systems and the roles each play.
• Identify the issues for considering and deciding on adopting a green construction code including challenges that may be faced and how to address those challenges.

Agenda:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM - Networking and Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:50 AM - Green Codes Definition & Function – IGCC, ASHRAE 189.1 & LEED
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM - Case Study: Addressing Sustainability through Green Code in Will County.
10:20 AM – 11:30 AM – Green Code Planning: A Panel Discussion
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM - Facilitated Q&A

Presenters:

• Chris Chwedyk, Burnham Nationwide
• Allan Bilka, International Code Council
• Josh Greenfield, Primera Engineers, Ltd. / ASHRAEIllinois
• Stephen Grossmark, Tressler, LLP
• Helen Kessler, HJKessler Associates
• Sean Ziadeh, Turning Leaf Solutions, PLLC
• Curt Paddock, Director, Will County Land Use Department
• Raymond Semplinski, Chief Building Official, Will County Land Use Department

 For More Infomation and To Register, Please Click Here

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Deciding when you need LEED consulting services can often be tricky for builders or project managers. You can turn to a consultant for advice when you feel overwhelmed by the project’s demands, or ideally, you can turn to a consultant near the beginning of the process before any feelings of frustration or confusion surface.

The role of a LEED consultant, of course, can vary from project to project. They can step in to help with whichever aspects of the project that they are needed for. Essentially, their role is to align the environmental goals of the project with the budget of the project and to increase the health and safety of the facility’s indoor environment for the occupants, while also reducing the operation costs of the facility. However, the steps that the consultant takes to reach those goals can vary from project to project.

For instance, LEED consulting services can be valuable at the onset of the project to determine the target LEED scores or even to determine which LEED certifications the project should apply for. However, if the project manager is familiar with those steps and is comfortable taking them on his or her own, the consultant may not be needed until later in the project’s timeline. They can work with the owner or the design team to ensure that the project contains the required elements and that it will be compliant with the LEED standards. Many project managers find the paperwork of the certification process to be the most onerous. If that describes you, you may wish to have a LEED consultant heavily involved in gathering the correct documentation and doing the right calculations, as well as drafting and submitting the documents to the USGBC.

Earning LEED certification has a number of merits that are both financial and environmental. However, when the entire process is slowed down because of a missing document or a small design inconsistency that can cause the project to take longer to complete and incur more costs. By hiring quality LEED consulting services as soon as they feel that they need them, project managers can avoid these eventualities and keep their project on target and within budget.

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Everyone knows tax day is April 15, but a lot of us forget that Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. First celebrated in 1970, the day was set aside to raise environmental awareness and promote appreciation for our planet. When it comes to ensuring eco-friendly building, the effort should not be viewed as taxing, but as a way to not only contribute to our planet’s viability but also to realize economic savings by incorporating energy-efficient standards.

There are several ways building owners can boast of having eco-friendly buildings. Here are just a few simple steps that can be taken toward that end:

• Installing skylights in a building enables a property owner to illuminate the interior, free of charge, thanks to Mother Nature! Given today’s heightened environmental consciousness, building owners have no shortage of available skylight installers. Not only do skylights save on energy bills, but also they offer an elegant element to any building.

• Solar panels are another tested element toward eco-friendly building. Initially, the cost of solar panels was cost-prohibitive. However, advances in the technology have helped prices go down. Moreover, many utilities offer rebates as powerful incentives toward the development of eco-friendly projects. Many property owners with solar panels end up selling surplus energy to the utility where their eco-friendly buildings are located. Short of selling the excess to a utility, it can also be stored for later use by transferring it to a battery. Granted, there is an initial investment requirement but the dividends will pay off big time in the long run.

• Low-wattage light bulbs are an often overlooked, yet simple, step that can be taken to achieve eco-friendliness. These bulbs are the “pigtail” variety and can be deceptive, given that they are brighter than conventional bulbs. However, don’t be deceived; they are exponentially more energy efficient that old-school light bulbs. As an added plus, these bulbs require no special adaptations and can plug into any socket.

• The bathroom is one of the last places some might expect to target in trying to achieve eco-friendly building, but the toilet consumes quite a bit of water. Due to this, it’s advisable to secure a low-flow toilet device to cut on water bills. These easy-to-install devices—available at any building supplies store—ensure that a toilet uses considerably less water without compromising water flow. This simple step can help you save not only water but also money on your water bill each month.

• Motion sensors designed to turn off a light bulb automatically are another element found in many eco-friendly buildings. The timers on these devices will automatically shut off light bulbs either indoors or outdoors if you happen to forget to shut them off yourself. Building owners sometimes don’t count the cost of wasted electricity but believe us—it can be quite considerable.

As part of their professional acumen, the staff of Burnham Nationwide is well-versed on the range of energy-efficient methods and practices. We see the heightened interest in eco-friendly building as advantageous to our clients because of the real savings that can be achieved.

Having a so-called “green building” is an ever-increasing goal of many—a source of pride in their communities and a way of achieving financial and energy savings. Achieving green status requires cooperation from all construction players—the architect, the design team, engineers, and the client. You can count on having a reliable partner in Burnham Nationwide for development of your own green building.

For additional insight and guidance on achieving eco-friendly buildings, please contact us through our website at burnhamnationwide.com or by calling us toll-free at (800) 407-7990.

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Achieving LEED standards set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 requires true commitment on the part of a builder, and if there were a holy grail of achievement in meeting such rigorous standards, it would certainly be for the highest LEED level – LEED platinum.

 This year, the USGBC is set to update its standards, dubbing the effort LEED 2012. The LEED certification process developed in 1998 provides independent, third-party verification that a single structure—business or residence—or an entire community was designed and built employing strategies to achieve high performance in key areas including: human and environmental health, sustainability, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Achieving credits based on a 100-point system determines the four levels of LEED achievement: Certified (40-49 points); Silver (50-59); Gold 60-79); and Platinum (80 points and above).

 There are now some 7,000 LEED-approved projects throughout the United States and 30 other countries, covering more than one billion square feet of space. Of those, just over 1,000 have been able to achieve Platinum status. In our home state of Illinois, roughly 30 projects represent a cross-section of building uses — from a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in Gurnee Mills to the University of Illinois-at Urbana-Champaign campus boasting of its business instructional facility being so rated.

 Simply put, the reason there are so few Platinum-level buildings to be found is that getting to that level is hard! It’s so hard, in fact, that sometimes one wonders if divine inspiration and intervention might be required to achieve the coveted LEED standard.

 Here in Burnham Nationwide’s home state, one Platinum project extends that concept. In Evanston, Illinois, the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation became the first to attain LEED Platinum rating. The American Institute of Architects and the group’s Committee on the Environment also has named it as one of the top green buildings.

 In neighboring Wisconsin, a monastery in Madison displayed its own commitment to Platinum-level standards. The different elements installed in achieving the high designation hint at the breadth of design needed to be called a green building. The centerpiece of such design was the monastery’s geothermal heating and cooling system that was approved for construction by the Benedictine women of Madison. The system uses roughly 40 closed-loop wells at a depth of 300 feet each.

 In addition to the Chipotle’s eatery, synagogue, and five private homes in our home state—three in our Chicago base and one apiece in Elgin and Glencoe—just a few projects have managed to achieve Platinum. Looking through the list gives one the sense of the possible in achieving the coveted standard given the sheer scope of projects. Among those achieving Platinum LEED in Illinois are:

• The 550 West Washington building – Chicago
• The Center for Neighborhood Technology Renovation – Chicago
• Christy Webber Landscapes, Greenworks Office & Storage Building – Chicago
• The office interiors at the Environmental Law and Policy Center – Chicago
• Erin’s Pavilion – Springfield
• The Evelyn-Pease Tyner Interpretative Center – Air Station Prairie, Glenco
• Headquarters of Exelon, including the 55^th floor – Chicago
• The FBI regional office – Chicago
• The Gensler office – Chicago
• The Hidden Oaks Nature Center – Bolingbrook
• The HOK office – Chicago
• Hyatt Center – Chicago
• The Kenmore Senior Apartments affordable housing complex – Chicago
• The McDonald’s corporate world headquarters campus office building – Oak Brook
• McGuire Engineers – Chicago
• Other World Computing – Woodstock
• The Pepsico Chicago Sustainability Center – Chicago
• An office renovation project at Perkins+Will – Chicago
• The Richland Community College Center for Sustainability and Innovation – Decatur
• The Ryerson Woods Conservation Area Visitors Center – Lake County Forest Preserve District, Deerfield
• The Shaw Technology and Learning Center – Chicago
• Tesla Produce – Chicago

With Burnham Nationwide as your trusted partner, you won’t need supernatural guidance in your own quest for LEED designation. Our team of professionals is well versed in all things LEED-related and can help you achieve your own level. Who knows? It might even be LEED Platinum! Contact us via Burnhamnationwide.com or by calling toll free at 800-407-7990, and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook!

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• What Can LEED Sustainability Offer Academic Institutions?
• What is LEED Certification?
• The LEED Certification Process – Part 2: Long-term Benefits
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• The Impacts of LEED Sustainability Efforts

As leaders in the field of progressive thought, it is no wonder that many colleges and universities are striving to incorporate LEED sustainability efforts into their campus buildings and dormitories. Taking this step allows an academic institution to improve their energy efficiency, conserve their resources, and enhance the environmental quality of their buildings. When a project manager who is working with buildings at a higher institution decides to pursue LEED certification, they have several avenues that they may work within.

When working on new construction or major renovations, they may apply for LEED-NC. That kind of project on a college campus can, of course, apply for and receive credits within the five LEED categories: Sustainable Site, Water Usage, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. However, most project managers will discover that they will also be able to also achieve a lot within LEED’s sixth category: Innovation and Design. This category allows the project manager to explore environmental categories like education and community enhancement. These categories can be uniquely dealt with on a college campus.

LEED certification can also be invaluable when applied to existing buildings. The LEED-EB certification is ideal for dormitories. This certification helps buildings become better stewards of the environment, but it also helps them become healthier places for their occupants. This is especially relevant when considering older structures like dorms that were built decades or even a century ago. Because students live in and spend much of their time in these buildings, campus directors should look closely at how they can be improved.

However, making a campus more sustainable does not just lie in the realm of changing individual buildings. In fact, a lot of LEED credits can be earned by implementing new campus-wide efforts. College and universities can apply sustainability efforts to the entire life cycle of their campus. They can draft plans that address everything from the campus’s master development plans to the campus’s operations and maintenance.

The goal for any university or college should not be to create one new LEED certified building or to make one old building greener. Ultimately, their goal should be to institutionalize the LEED sustainability efforts and reduce the campus’s carbon footprint overall.

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When people ask “what is LEED certification?”, they can expect a few different answers. Basically, it is divided into four levels across several different categories. Projects earn points for using sustainable sites, using water and energy efficiently, using certain materials or green resources, and creating high-quality indoor environments. Each project is eligible to earn a total of 100 points in these categories with a possible 10 bonus points that are awarded for innovative tactics and regional priorities.

The number of points that a project earns determines their level of certification. There are four certification levels: certified (40 to 49 points), silver (50 to 59 points), gold (60 to 79 points) and platinum (80 points or more). When a project earns the platinum level, all of their certification fees are refunded. However, every project earns points in a different way depending upon which type of certification they are applying for. In the following nine sections, we will answer the question “what is LEED certification?” by looking at the different categories of certification.

LEED-NC (New Construction or Major Renovation)

This category applies to the new construction of commercial and institutional buildings, including offices, high rises, government facilities, recreational centers, factories, and labs. In this category, the site can earn 26 points, the use of water can earn 10 points, attention paid to energy and atmosphere is worth 35 points, materials are worth 14, and the indoor environment is worth 15 points.

LEED-EB: O&M (Operation and Maintenance of Existing Buildings)

This category applies to existing buildings that want to operate and maintain themselves more efficiently. It deals with areas such as cleaning the building, recycling efforts, maintaining the exterior, and upgrading equipment and systems. Buildings that have never applied for LEED can apply for this certification, and buildings that have already earned LEED for NC, SCH or CS can also apply. The points in this category are distributed almost exactly as they are in the LEED-NB category except that water efficiency is worth a possible 14 points, while materials are only worth 10.

LEED-CI (commercial interior)

The commercial interior category is primarily for tenants and interior designers. It allows people who do not have any decision making power over the outside of the building to make environmentally friendly decisions for the interior of the building. When they make the interior greener, they also make it healthier, more productive, and cheaper to run and maintain. The bulk of points in this category are awarded for energy and atmosphere with a total of 37 points available in that category. The quality of the indoor environment is worth a possible 17 points.

LEED-CS (core and shell)

This category, which is complementary to the LEED-CI category, deals with the core and the shell of the building. Thus, it addresses buildings’ structures, envelopes, and HVAC systems.   In this category contractors and developers can earn 28 points for their site, 10 for their efficient use of water, 37 for their attention to the energy and the atmosphere, 13 for the materials they choose to use, and 12 points for the quality of their indoor air. Additionally, they can earn the same 10 bonus points in innovation and regional priority that every category is eligible for.

LEED-SCH

This category addresses the particular needs of schools, from those housing primary grades to high school students. It is similar to the LEED-NC, but it also looks at the acoustics in classrooms, how the materials work to prevent mold, and other environmental factors that are important for children’s health issues. With 19 possible points, this category assigns more points to the quality of the indoor environment that any other LEED category.

LEED-Retail

This is the category that can help a bank, a restaurant, a clothing store, or an electronics store win LEED points. It is applicable to all retail projects. Under LEED-Retail, projects must apply for points under the new construction category or the commercial interiors category. To determine which categories may apply to you and how to earn points, you may wish to speak to a LEED consultant from Burnham. They can guide you through the entire certification process, whether you are applying in the retail category or any other category.

LEED-HC

As one of the newest LEED categories, LEED-HC applies to health care facilities. Buildings that are being designed for use as medical facilities, such as doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and even medical schools, should try to earn points in this category.  Because this category has been in existence for less than a year, a LEED consultant may be necessary to help you ascertain how to focus on each of the six categories that you can earn points in.

LEED-Homes

Even residential structures can earn a LEED certification. These green homes must be carefully built with LEED guidelines implemented in every step of the process.

LEED-ND

LEED-Neighborhood development is the ninth and final of the categories that buildings can earn points in. This category has been established as a joint effort between the USGBC, the Congress for New Urbanism, and The Council for the Defense of Natural Resources. To earn LEED certification in this category, a project must have third-party proof that their location and their designs are environmentally responsible and their development techniques are sustainable.

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Last month, we looked at the different types of LEED certification. This month, we will look at the long-term benefits of several elements of the LEED certification process. The long-term benefits are both tangible and intangible, and this blog post will touch on a few of these benefits. The total number of long-term benefits greatly exceeds the ones mentioned in this post. Furthermore, while some benefits are universal to the certification process, some benefits are unique to certain parts.

One of the most tangible benefits that is associated with the LEED certification process is lower operating costs and lower energy bills. Over time, these benefits are multiplied. According to the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), LEED buildings normally have a rate of return of at least twenty percent. This rate is based on energy efficiency combined with projections about the future higher costs of oil and natural gas.

Most buildings that have been involved with the certification process use thirty to fifty percent less water and electricity than buildings that have been built to the current codes in most cities. When values are assigned to this idea, the savings are astounding. For instance, if a LEED certified building saves $1.50 per square foot when compared to a building that has been built to code, that is a yearly savings of $150,000 per year if the building is 100,000 square feet. If the contractor invested $400,000 into the project to make it LEED certified, he or she would get back their initial investment in about two and a half years.

Some returns on the LEED investment seem intangible but when evaluated are actually tangible. For instance, when a building has earned LEED certification, it is a healthier place to be, and thus the people who work there and the other occupants are happier and healthier. This seems like an intangible benefit, but it is very tangible as well. The building owner can look forward to employing an employee base that uses fewer sick days and is more productive overall.

An intangible benefit to the process is improved public relations. The building owner will have an easier time engaging with the community and promoting their building’s agenda when they can clearly promise the community that their building offers benefits to both the environment and the community. This intangible benefit can have a lasting effect on the building’s value and the public’s perception of it.

When you look at a specific element of the process, it is easier to evaluate the potential cost benefit of it. For instance, many builders earn LEED points by creating green roofs. There are a number of different roofing materials and strategies that can make a roof qualify for LEED points, such as applying reflective PVDF coating to a roof. When the cost benefits of this roofing material are analyzed, it appears that it will save the building operators a lot of money in both operating costs and repair costs.

When a building has a PVDF reflective roof, it does not wear as quickly, and it requires less maintenance. In addition, it does not need to be replaced as soon as a conventional roof would need to be replaced. This presents a cash savings for the buildings owner, but it also presents an environmental benefit for the community. With fewer replacements, fewer old roofs are sent to landfills. It can be exposed to lower temperatures than most traditional roofing, and its temperature does not fluctuate as much as many other roofs’ temperatures do. It also helps to reduce the effect of a so-called heat island effect in urban areas. Although the benefits of using PVDF are substantial, it is not the only roofing material that earns LEED points, and it may not be the right choice for your project. To determine which roof is right for you, you may wish to speak with a LEED certified consultant from Burnham Nationwide.

Many of these points are only applicable to new buildings. However, there is also a LEED process for existing buildings. LEED-EB can be earned in a variety of ways, and all of these measures have long-term benefits. For instance, if a building earns their LEED-EB by installing equipment that lasts longer, they will save money on equipment replacement costs. If they earn it by making changes to their operating procedures, they will save money on that as well. For instance, if part of their plan includes turning off equipment when not in use, they will notice an instant and prolonged savings in their energy bills.

Perhaps, the most significant long-term benefit of the LEED certification process is the potential for its effect on the building’s resale value. Some analysts claim that a LEED certified building could garner a selling price of thirty percent more than a regular building. This is an indicator of the true long-term value of certification.

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There are many benefits to making your next project green. One of the easiest identifiable benefits is getting tax benefits and credits through the LEED certification process. In addition, you may also make your building run more efficiently and have a higher resale value. It is not always easy to identify what the LEED certification requirements are. In order to assist you, we have compiled a look at these requirements in this article. To further assist you in your efforts, we have a team of LEED trained professional consultants who can help you along every step of the way. First, this article will look at the different aspects of LEED certification. Then, it will include a brief analysis of how meeting these requirements can save you money. 

There are many different categories in which a project can earn LEED certification. These include the following: newly constructed buildings, the core and shell of buildings, schools, newly constructed or renovated retail locations, and newly constructed or renovated healthcare buildings. Each of these six categories has different certification requirements. In order to gain certification in any one category, you will need to satisfy the requirements of that category. Some of the requirements overlap. For instance, you can use solar energy in any of these categories. However, some of the requirements are unique to a particular category. In the school category, you can earn points by buying and using furniture that is non-toxic and safe for school children to sit in all day.

There are also ways that you can satisfy LEED certification requirements for your building’s interior design. Part of the certification process addresses the green design and construction of a building’s interiors. In this large category, there are two subsets, and they are devoted to commercial interiors and retail commercial interiors. There is also a certification for the operation and maintenance of existing buildings. This certification requires your project to address everything from the types of cleaning solvents that it uses to the way it addresses whether or not idle machinery stays switched on. You can also earn credits for helping to develop your neighborhood from a green standpoint. Even residential properties can earn LEED credits.

In every LEED certification process, there are six categories in which a project can gain points. These categories look at the following aspects: the sustainability of the site, the efficiency of the water usage on the site, the total energy use in the project and its effect on the atmosphere in the area, the usage of green materials, and the environmental quality of the air at the site. Projects can earn a total of 100 points. In addition, they can earn six bonus points for being innovative and four bonus points for being a priority in their region. If they earn a minimum level of 40 to 49 points, they receive basic certification. In the next level, they must earn 50 to 59 points for a silver rating. If they earn 60 to 79 points, they will get a gold ranking, and if they earn over 80 points, they will receive a platinum ranking. Residential properties are ranked on a different scale.

However, even with this information at hand, it can be difficult to assess the value of the various requirements. For the purposes of this article, we can show you a few examples of how projects have saved money. If you would like to estimate how much a particular green building technology would save you, you should speak with one of our green consultants.

Recent studies indicate that the efficiency of LEED buildings is good enough to cover the costs of implementing those building methods. For instance, one contractor has suggested that if a building’s energy usages are reduced by 20 percent, it can save the building’s owner about 36 cents per square foot every year. In a 100,000 square foot building, that represents a savings of approximately $36,000 per year.

Some LEED requirements help businesses save money by the way that these green efforts affect the people who work in these buildings. When buildings have a less toxic interior, the personnel in those buildings are more productive and sick less often. In the United States, it is estimated that the labor costs of the average business are approximately $150 per square foot per year. If a cleaner indoor environment improves worker productivity by one percent, it will save the business about $1.30 per square foot per year. In a 100,000 square foot building, that equates to a yearly savings of about $130,000 per year. Ideally, indoor environmental efforts will equate to more than a one percent increase in productivity and will save the business owner more money.

These are only two examples of how the LEED certification process can save you money. For more information on certification requirements and how they can benefit you, we at Burnham Nationwide would love to speak with you. We can guide you to the answers about how to save money while helping the environment.

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• What is LEED Certification?
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• The Impacts of LEED Sustainability Efforts
• How Do You Know When You Need LEED Consulting Services?