Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide First Edition

Analogous to the commissioning of a new ship, building com missioning ensures that a new building
functions as designed. This detailed process begins early in the design phase, with the specification
of requirements. Consideration for these requirements is carried through the entire building design
and construction process, and the requirements are used as the basis for evaluating performance.
Continual commissioning, an ongoing part of building operations, ensures that a building always
meets its fundamental operational requirements. Rctrocommissioning is the same process applied
to existing buildings; it is intended to return the building to its Original operational goals-and
sometimes exceed them.
Monitoring and verification provide the basis for tracking
energy performance with the goal of identifying and resolving
any problems that may arise over time. Monitoring often
Involves comparing building performance measurements
with predictions from a calibrated energy simulation
or Industry benchmarking tool. The EPA's ENERGY
STAR Portfolio Manager is one of the most widely used
benchmarking systems. Portfolio Manager users enter data
on electricity and natural gas consumption, along with
other supporting information, into a Web-based tool. The
system then evaluates the performance of the building
against that of others with similar characteristics. This is
an exceptionally useful, free tool for gauging the relative
performance of buildings.
Strategies for maintaining energy efficiency include t he fol lowing,
• Adhere to owner's project requirements. Prepare detailed owner's project requirements at the
beginning of the design process and conduct commissioning throughout the life cycle of the
project to ensure that the building functions as designed .
• Provide staff training. Knowledge and training empower facility managers to improve the
performance of buildings over time.
• Conduct preventive maintenance. Develop a robust preventive maintenance program to keep
the building in optimal condition.
• Create incentives for occupants and tenants. Involve bUilding occupants in energy efficiency
strategies. Promote the use of energy-effiCient computers and equipment, bill tenants from
submeter readings to encourage energy conservation, educate occupants about shutting down
computers and turning out lights before they leave, and give them regular feedback on energy
performance.
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Green BUlldmg and l EED Core Concepts GU ide