| BVH Integrated Services Volume 1 • Issue 2 |
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BVH Expands with new Boston OfficeBVH Integrated Services, with offices in Bloomfield and New Haven, Connecticut, has announced it is expanding to a new office in Massachusetts. BVH has an extensive portfolio of completed work and ongoing projects throughout Massachusetts. The new office will allow the firm to better serve clients with its full range of engineering services, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, energy, technology and commissioning.
New Manager of Project Development for BVH Boston
BVH is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Iskra, P.E., LEED AP of Boston, MA as the new Manager of Project Development at BVH Boston. Tom has extensive education and experience in real estate planning, marketing, contract negotiation, finance, engineering design, and construction, and most recently worked as a project manager for Northland Investment Corporation. He obtained a Masters in Real Estate Studies from Harvard University, a Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Management from the University of California – Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Tom is also a licensed professional engineer and LEED Accredited Professional. Please join us in welcoming Tom to the team.
BVH Boston
One Gateway Center, Suite 506, Newton, MA 02458
617.658.9008
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LEED EB and Commissioning
Why should you seek LEED EB: O&M certification for your building and how can building commissioning assist you in this process?
Because the escalating cost of energy is on the minds of many facilities directors and university administrators, energy saving strategies are the key in planning for the future of their institutions. By "greening" existing buildings, which account for more than 60 percent of the nation's electricity consumption and 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, energy drains can be found and replaced with sustainable options.
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LEED EB: O&M certification, which replaces the previous LEED EB certification, assists building owners and operators to improve and operate their buildings in a sustainable and efficient manner, today and in the future. Owners and operators who install and maintain high performing systems in their facilities reap the benefits both in terms of cost and in other important ways. The effort expended to retrofit facilities with sustainable features results in a healthier, cleaner work environment, improved efficiency, and lower operating costs.
These advantages should be considered in the decision to seek LEED EB: O&M certification:
• A starting point for assessment of energy usage
• Energy cost savings
• Immediate improved performance
• Improved indoor air quality
• Lowered emissions and waste disposal
• Low cost options for sustainable performance
• Method of measuring, documenting, and benchmarking sustainability
Property owners and facilities managers can experience a profitable return, both in net cost savings and in the physical life of the building by pursuing LEED EB: O&M certification. According to Sheila Sheridan, Vice Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council, "LEED-EB certified properties extend sustainability by 2.6 years, with an annual net savings of $170,000."
Eligibility for LEED EB: O&M applies to existing buildings that meet certain criteria. The building must be fully occupied for at least 12 continuous months preceding certification application, with certain exceptions for partial occupancy for an apartment building, hotel, dormitory, convention center, classroom, sports facility, or similar structure.
The LEED EB: O&M certification system is much different than the rating system for new construction (LEED-NC). Rather than new construction and design, LEED EB: O&M certification applies to building operations, processes, systems upgrades, and minor space use changes in a building. However, LEED EB: O&M does embrace sustainable alterations and new additions to existing buildings within certain limits. If the alterations affect more than 50% of the total building floor area or cause relocation of more than 50% of regular building occupants, these buildings should pursue LEED for New Construction certification.
Perhaps your building has never been LEED-certified, or has obtained LEED certification under a different rating system. These buildings can also pursue LEED EB: O&M certification:
• Non-LEED buildings seeking initial certification and ongoing certification
• LEED for New Construction-certified buildings seeking ongoing certification
• LEED for Schools-certified buildings seeking ongoing certification
• LEED for Core & Shell-certified buildings seeking ongoing certification
• LEED for Existing Buildings-certified buildings seeking ongoing certification
A point-based rating system consists of prerequisites and credits in the following categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Operations. To obtain LEED EB: O&M certification, the building must meet all prerequisites and earn a minimum of 34 points. A Silver LEED certification requires a minimum of 43 points, Gold 51 points, and Platinum 68 points.
Where does commissioning fit into the process of seeking LEED EB: O&M certification? Commissioning, which is a programmed series of building documentation and testing activities, is required to satisfy several LEED EB: O&M credits. The building commissioning process helps to identify areas of building operations that are not operating efficiently. Once deficiencies are identified through commissioning, commissioning professionals recommend methods and practices to correct these deficiencies. "There are a number of strategies that are relatively simple to implement that will correct inefficient building operations," said James Ohlheiser, Chief Executive Officer of BVH Integrated Services, Inc. There are also several EA prerequisites that can be obtained using commissioning services.
Finally, commissioning can assist in the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) prerequisite and Credit 1.1, establishing indoor air quality performance through modifying outside air intake, supply air fan, and/or ventilation distribution system and developing an indoor air quality management program.
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Energy Saving Strategies
Creative Solutions for Challenging Times
Creating sustainable solutions does not have to mean designing expensive and complex systems. Utilizing energy simulation and life cycle analysis, including available public and private funding, BVH can maximize the benefits of your building investments. BVH believes every situation has an optimal solution that is environmentally responsive, resource efficient and beneficial to the community. Examples of sustainable energy saving strategies that have been incorporated in past projects include:
• High performance envelopes• Double façade ventilated curtain wall
• Displacement ventilation
• Heat recovery
• Daylighting
• Occupancy sensors
• Cogeneration
• Green roofs
• Photovoltaics
• Solar hot water
• Fuel cells
• Wind turbines
• Geothermal ground source heat pumps
• Rainwater harvesting
• Ice storage
• Water conservation
• Chilled beams
• Radiant heat
• Demand ventilation
• Natural ventilation
• Measurement and verification of performance
See Energy Saving Strategies - Case Studies
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Feedback? Future topics? Send us
an email marial@bvhis.com
BVH Integrated Services office locations:50 Griffin Road South
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860.286.9171
One Audubon Street
New Haven, CT 06511
860.286.9171
One Gateway Center
Suite 506, Newton, MA 02458
617.658.9008