Being certified by such organizations as Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design or Energy Star does two things simultaneously: It improve a building’s efficiency and performance while simultaneously letting tenants, potential tenants and others know that it that management cares about those specific goals and the welfare of the building and its tenants in general, according to a feature at buildings.com.
Getting certified takes planning, however. The story offers a list of 13 steps to take to preparing to embark on a certification effort. Management and managers should enlist tenants early in the process; fill the team with as much expertise as possible; make sure that the education of those on the staff is appropriate; create targets and goals and understand the impact of where the facility is geographically and regionally.
Other tips are to “adopt a holistic view”; include reorganization and remodeling in the plan; manage expectations; make sure policies and plans are perfected; emphasize energy savings; consider lifecycle costs and if necessary add or commission new systems or facilities.
