DePaul University in Chicago expects to achieve energy savings of up to 60 percent with an LED Retrofit at their Sheffield parking garage. They replaced the 210-watt metal halide lights in the parking garage on its Lincoln Park campus with 90-watt LED lights. The new LED parking garage lights use less than half the energy of the previous lights, and will save the University thousands of dollars per year in energy and maintenance costs while providing more uniform light on the ground and increased visibility and campus safety.
In addition to using 60% less energy, the parking garage LED lights are designed to be maintenance-free, requiring no bulb replacements for approximately six years. LED lights are extremely durable and robust in challenging environments, such as high-traffic outdoor areas. The vast reduction in maintenance needs shortens the payback period, allowing DePaul to realize a quicker return on their investment in the energy-efficient lighting.
DePaul’s sustainability efforts on the operations side are led by Bob Janis, vice president for Facility Operations and task force member. His staff has overseen the completion of more than $5 million in energy-related projects in recent years, focusing mainly on lighting and heating/ventilation/air conditioning retrofits.
"DePaul's LED lighting program is one of many environmentally sustainable efforts the university has implemented across our campuses in recent years," said vice-president for faculty operations Bob Janis. "DePaul is committed to preserving resources for future generations and continuing a variety of eco-friendly initiatives that have garnered national recognition in recent years."
About 98 percent of all campus lighting fixtures use energy-efficient illumination, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-voltage LED lighting and automatic daylight shut-off. It’s estimated that DePaul will produce about 237,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide as it switches the 24/7 lighting in the Sheffield Parking Garage this year from conventional to LED lighting.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Redbird LED Completes Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit
Redbird LED, an Atlanta , GA.
The perimeter of Buckhead Marketplace parking garage is now brilliantly illuminated with the Redbird LED Vapor Tight Luminaries (40 watt). Redbird LED selected this product to enhance the lighting of parking spaces and walls along the periphery of the parking garage. The field adjustable illumination pattern allows the walls to be washed with light without any glare to pedestrians. The Vapor Tight Luminaries have a 50,000 hour lifetime, which reduces maintenance and energy costs for the shopping center owner. The Redbird LED parking garage LED lighting uses high efficacy linear light modules with controlled directional intensity which can be adjusted as needed on installation. The directionality of the Vapor Tight Luminaries was a key feature to provide the right lighting for the parking garage walls.
In addition to energy savings, LED lighting provides many advantages for parking garage owners. LED lights contain no harmful mercury so they do not need to be recycled; they operate much better in cold weather than fluorescent lamps and are more resistant to damage. “LED linear lights were a great solution for the Buckhead Marketplace project. The quality of the lighting has been enhanced and they will realize energy savings for many years” said Jonathan Eppstein, President of Redbird LED.
For more information on the Redbird LED Linear Lighting products please visit their website at www.redbirdled.com.or call 678.733.2473
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Red Lobster Features Energy Efficient Lighting in San Antonio Store
Darden Restaurants, owner of Red Lobster and Olive Garden banners among others, said Monday that its Red Lobster restaurant in Centerview, San Antonio, is one of the company’s first to receive sustainability recognition.
The restaurant was awarded Silver certification for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 7,029-sq.-ft. restaurant, which opened in March, features a number of sustainable design elements, including recycled building materials, increased use of natural light, and energy-efficient lighting equipment and fixtures, including low-flow water nozzles in the kitchen and low-flow faucets in the restrooms, new LED parking lot light bulbs and low-wattage energy-efficient light bulbs, and heat recovery tanks that allow the capture of heat generated from the freezer/cooler compressors to aid in supplemental heating of hot water.
The effort is part of Darden Restaurant's Sustainable Restaurant Design initiative, which aims to reduce energy and water use in 1,800 restaurants by 15% by the year 2015.
Red Lobster, part of Darden Restaurants has nearly 700 locations across North America. Darden restaurant brands also include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
The restaurant was awarded Silver certification for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The 7,029-sq.-ft. restaurant, which opened in March, features a number of sustainable design elements, including recycled building materials, increased use of natural light, and energy-efficient lighting equipment and fixtures, including low-flow water nozzles in the kitchen and low-flow faucets in the restrooms, new LED parking lot light bulbs and low-wattage energy-efficient light bulbs, and heat recovery tanks that allow the capture of heat generated from the freezer/cooler compressors to aid in supplemental heating of hot water.
The effort is part of Darden Restaurant's Sustainable Restaurant Design initiative, which aims to reduce energy and water use in 1,800 restaurants by 15% by the year 2015.
Red Lobster, part of Darden Restaurants has nearly 700 locations across North America. Darden restaurant brands also include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
San Jose State University Wins Award For Energy Efficient Lighting Retrofit
San Jose State University received a Best Practice Award in the Lighting Retrofit category for implementing lighting system upgrades and controls projects at its highly acclaimed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library as part of a SiteSMART commissioning services project. The project included installing occupancy sensors on the library book stack lighting, retrofitting inefficient ceiling fixtures, and converting to spectrally enhanced (5000 K) lighting. These measures reduced energy consumption at the building by 22 percent while significantly enhancing building aesthetics. The project is saving over $300,000 and more than 1,900,000 kWh annually.
The 2010 Best Practice Awards Competition for the Energy Efficiency Partnership program seeks to highlight the achievements that California State University, University of California, and California Community College campuses have made through innovative and effective energy efficiency projects and sustainable operations.
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
The 2010 Best Practice Awards Competition for the Energy Efficiency Partnership program seeks to highlight the achievements that California State University, University of California, and California Community College campuses have made through innovative and effective energy efficiency projects and sustainable operations.
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Financing Energy Efficient Lighting Retrofits
As reported in Distribted Energy
Many business owners delay lighting retrofits due to a misperception of capital constraints, yet efficient lighting can be one of the most cost-effective investments facility managers make. Business owners can reap the benefits of a retrofit and allocate existing funds to more pressing projects, by working with their suppliers to identify the best financial solution customized for their individual needs.
Facility managers frequently forget that financing is often available from the suppliers they know and trust. Graybar, for example, offers a program through its financial subsidiary Graybar Financial Services (GFS) that helps contractors acquire lighting equipment without capital or credit line constraints. Leveraging financial services like this can be critical to getting retrofit projects off the ground.
Immediate Cost Benefits
Simple retrofits generate impressive savings. According to a recent study by GE, facility managers can save $44 over the rated life of a new lamp just by replacing a 75-W incandescent light bulb with a 20-W compact fluorescent. GE calculates savings based on a $0.10 per kilowatt-hour utility rate over the life of the lamp.
Efficient lighting offers tangible workplace benefits as well. In fact, businesses in a recent study by the Rocky Mountain Institute saw improved morale, increased production and fewer mistakes after upgrading their lighting and climate systems. The same study found that a 1% productivity increase could generate enough savings to exceed a company’s entire electric bill.
It is recommended that facility managers make these upgrades sooner, rather than later, to comply with new legislation. While less-efficient products are still available to managers, many new regulations prohibit the sale of replacement products. For example:
* The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires efficiency enhancements on all 105 W–500 W metal halide ballasts manufactured after January 2009.
* The Energy Policy and Conservation Act mandates that all ballasts and light-bulb cartons carry a “Circle E” label rated for efficiency.
* The Energy Policy Act of 2005 blocks production of mercury vapor ballasts.
The cost of maintenance will also likely increase as manufacturers begin pricing more limited products at a premium. Facility managers should consider comparing their current kilowatt-hours and maintenance costs against proposed kilowatt-hour load and maintenance costs to determine their cost savings. This is especially true when combined with savings from incentives, such as the 2005 EPAct, which recently was extended through 2013 to provide businesses with up to a $0.60-per-square-foot tax deduction on energy-efficient lighting investments.
Facility managers can rely on Graybar to help calculate potential costs, provide leasing support and/or project financing services that help improve monthly cash flow. For example, a typical lease transaction processed through Graybar’s financing subsidiary will flow as follows:
* Once the end user’s credit has been approved, the contractor can acquire the equipment they need for the project from Graybar without having to pay for it or use their Graybar credit line.
* Upon receipt of the signed lease agreement and installation verification, GFS will pay Graybar for the cost of the equipment and pay the contractor for their charges related to labor, installation, maintenance, etc.
* This frees up working capital for the contractor to focus on other important needs.
Another advantage is that lease payments can be structured as a monthly operating expense and won’t impact the customer’s balance sheet. In some cases, businesses can expense lease payments for up to a 100% tax deduction, while in other situations, they can structure monthly installments around the monthly energy savings.
GFS can also finance extended maintenance contracts. This enables customers to bundle charges related to equipment, installation, and maintenance into one easy monthly payment, improving administrative efficiency and providing businesses the security of knowing their contractor will support the equipment investment throughout the lease. The portion of the monthly lease payment tied to maintenance is interest free, and this capability also helps contractors generate monthly revenue over the term of the lease.
Financing in Action
Many businesses, public and private, are taking advantage of these types of offerings. In fact, GFS saw an 86% uptick in lighting financing last year.
One such example is Community Education Partners (CEP), which relied on a monthly leasing arrangement through GFS to finance lighting improvements in three buildings being converted into alternative high schools for at-risk students.
Organizations can also use these arrangements to reap the benefits of state rebates. A school district in Maine, for example, wanted to retrofit lighting, but the state’s rebate fund was depleted before the district could commit to the project. The school turned instead to a financing option. By tying the district’s monthly payments to the energy savings from new, efficient lighting, the project became “self-funding”, and the monthly lease payments were tax exempt.
Retrofits also have a real impact in traditional office buildings, where lighting typically accounts for 30% to 40% of the building’s energy bill.
Ready, Set, Evaluate!
Facility managers should not settle for a one-size-fits-all solution. To get started, facility managers should work with their contractors to determine the scope of the project, design criteria, and any maintenance and safety concerns.
Simple upgrades, such as switching to compact fluorescent lamps, can reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. Facility managers can also see results by taking advantage of natural light. For example, daylight harvesting technologies and bi-level switching solutions help maximize ambient lighting in facilities with large windows or skylights.
Controls take efficiency a step further by helping facilities manage their lighting only when it is necessary. The New Buildings Institute estimates controls can reduce lighting energy consumption in existing buildings by as much as 50%. Typical controls include occupancy sensors and motion detectors. Time switches, panels, daylight-harvesting sensors, and dimming ballasts are also relevant options.
Depending on the applications and the facility’s needs, managers can integrate controls into an existing automation structure, such as HVAC, or they can use simple time clocks that alter lighting levels based on a pre-set schedule.
When considering controls, facility managers and contractors should examine their state and local codes as well as how the cost affects their return on investment. It is recommended that facility managers bring suppliers into the process as early as possible so that managers can explore all their options.
Making Retrofits a Reality
With a basic understanding of a facility’s operational needs, building managers, and contractors can develop efficient lighting solutions that save their business’ energy, productivity and maintenance costs. As today’s energy prices continue to climb, the cost of waiting could add up to an unexpected expense.
Whether it’s making the actual upgrade—or financing through GFS—lighting efficiency upgrades need not be complicated. Today, facility managers have financing options and opportunities to benefit from tax incentives.* By knowing where to look, businesses can obtain lighting solutions that meet their budgetary and business needs.
* Please consult a tax advisor for details regarding full tax savings and advantages.
Author's Bio: Allen Pilgrim is Manager, Lighting Business Development, with Graybar Electric Company Inc.
Giving Your Retrofit the Green Light With Smart Financing
Many business owners delay lighting retrofits due to a misperception of capital constraints, yet efficient lighting can be one of the most cost-effective investments facility managers make.
Many business owners delay lighting retrofits due to a misperception of capital constraints, yet efficient lighting can be one of the most cost-effective investments facility managers make. Business owners can reap the benefits of a retrofit and allocate existing funds to more pressing projects, by working with their suppliers to identify the best financial solution customized for their individual needs.
Facility managers frequently forget that financing is often available from the suppliers they know and trust. Graybar, for example, offers a program through its financial subsidiary Graybar Financial Services (GFS) that helps contractors acquire lighting equipment without capital or credit line constraints. Leveraging financial services like this can be critical to getting retrofit projects off the ground.
Immediate Cost Benefits
Simple retrofits generate impressive savings. According to a recent study by GE, facility managers can save $44 over the rated life of a new lamp just by replacing a 75-W incandescent light bulb with a 20-W compact fluorescent. GE calculates savings based on a $0.10 per kilowatt-hour utility rate over the life of the lamp.
Efficient lighting offers tangible workplace benefits as well. In fact, businesses in a recent study by the Rocky Mountain Institute saw improved morale, increased production and fewer mistakes after upgrading their lighting and climate systems. The same study found that a 1% productivity increase could generate enough savings to exceed a company’s entire electric bill.
It is recommended that facility managers make these upgrades sooner, rather than later, to comply with new legislation. While less-efficient products are still available to managers, many new regulations prohibit the sale of replacement products. For example:
* The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires efficiency enhancements on all 105 W–500 W metal halide ballasts manufactured after January 2009.
* The Energy Policy and Conservation Act mandates that all ballasts and light-bulb cartons carry a “Circle E” label rated for efficiency.
* The Energy Policy Act of 2005 blocks production of mercury vapor ballasts.
The cost of maintenance will also likely increase as manufacturers begin pricing more limited products at a premium. Facility managers should consider comparing their current kilowatt-hours and maintenance costs against proposed kilowatt-hour load and maintenance costs to determine their cost savings. This is especially true when combined with savings from incentives, such as the 2005 EPAct, which recently was extended through 2013 to provide businesses with up to a $0.60-per-square-foot tax deduction on energy-efficient lighting investments.
Facility managers can rely on Graybar to help calculate potential costs, provide leasing support and/or project financing services that help improve monthly cash flow. For example, a typical lease transaction processed through Graybar’s financing subsidiary will flow as follows:
* Once the end user’s credit has been approved, the contractor can acquire the equipment they need for the project from Graybar without having to pay for it or use their Graybar credit line.
* Upon receipt of the signed lease agreement and installation verification, GFS will pay Graybar for the cost of the equipment and pay the contractor for their charges related to labor, installation, maintenance, etc.
* This frees up working capital for the contractor to focus on other important needs.
Another advantage is that lease payments can be structured as a monthly operating expense and won’t impact the customer’s balance sheet. In some cases, businesses can expense lease payments for up to a 100% tax deduction, while in other situations, they can structure monthly installments around the monthly energy savings.
GFS can also finance extended maintenance contracts. This enables customers to bundle charges related to equipment, installation, and maintenance into one easy monthly payment, improving administrative efficiency and providing businesses the security of knowing their contractor will support the equipment investment throughout the lease. The portion of the monthly lease payment tied to maintenance is interest free, and this capability also helps contractors generate monthly revenue over the term of the lease.
Financing in Action
Many businesses, public and private, are taking advantage of these types of offerings. In fact, GFS saw an 86% uptick in lighting financing last year.
One such example is Community Education Partners (CEP), which relied on a monthly leasing arrangement through GFS to finance lighting improvements in three buildings being converted into alternative high schools for at-risk students.
Organizations can also use these arrangements to reap the benefits of state rebates. A school district in Maine, for example, wanted to retrofit lighting, but the state’s rebate fund was depleted before the district could commit to the project. The school turned instead to a financing option. By tying the district’s monthly payments to the energy savings from new, efficient lighting, the project became “self-funding”, and the monthly lease payments were tax exempt.
Retrofits also have a real impact in traditional office buildings, where lighting typically accounts for 30% to 40% of the building’s energy bill.
Ready, Set, Evaluate!
Facility managers should not settle for a one-size-fits-all solution. To get started, facility managers should work with their contractors to determine the scope of the project, design criteria, and any maintenance and safety concerns.
Simple upgrades, such as switching to compact fluorescent lamps, can reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. Facility managers can also see results by taking advantage of natural light. For example, daylight harvesting technologies and bi-level switching solutions help maximize ambient lighting in facilities with large windows or skylights.
Controls take efficiency a step further by helping facilities manage their lighting only when it is necessary. The New Buildings Institute estimates controls can reduce lighting energy consumption in existing buildings by as much as 50%. Typical controls include occupancy sensors and motion detectors. Time switches, panels, daylight-harvesting sensors, and dimming ballasts are also relevant options.
Depending on the applications and the facility’s needs, managers can integrate controls into an existing automation structure, such as HVAC, or they can use simple time clocks that alter lighting levels based on a pre-set schedule.
When considering controls, facility managers and contractors should examine their state and local codes as well as how the cost affects their return on investment. It is recommended that facility managers bring suppliers into the process as early as possible so that managers can explore all their options.
Making Retrofits a Reality
With a basic understanding of a facility’s operational needs, building managers, and contractors can develop efficient lighting solutions that save their business’ energy, productivity and maintenance costs. As today’s energy prices continue to climb, the cost of waiting could add up to an unexpected expense.
Whether it’s making the actual upgrade—or financing through GFS—lighting efficiency upgrades need not be complicated. Today, facility managers have financing options and opportunities to benefit from tax incentives.* By knowing where to look, businesses can obtain lighting solutions that meet their budgetary and business needs.
* Please consult a tax advisor for details regarding full tax savings and advantages.
Author's Bio: Allen Pilgrim is Manager, Lighting Business Development, with Graybar Electric Company Inc.
Giving Your Retrofit the Green Light With Smart Financing
Many business owners delay lighting retrofits due to a misperception of capital constraints, yet efficient lighting can be one of the most cost-effective investments facility managers make.
Boston U Upgrades Lighting to Save Energy Costs in Parking Garages
This project primarily consisted of retrofitting existing HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps to a more energy efficient T8 fluorescent system with occupancy controls.
The existing lighting system in this area contained predominantly metal halide and a few high pressure sodium lamps. Existing lighting, which had previously stayed on 24/7, was replaced with super T8 fluorescent, cold temperature ballasts and Vapor-Tight lenses, which helps reduce moisture build up inside the fixture.
As with the Warren Tower project, occupancy sensors were installed in each zone. Fixtures with day lighting exposure (i.e. on the roof, top floor, and along the perimeter of the structure) have photocell controls to further reduce energy consumption.
Warren Tower Garage
This project is saving 283,500 kWh a year, which is equivalent to the CO2 emissions produced from running 37 cars, or powering 28 homes.
This four-level parking structure had consisted of metal halide lamps, T12 fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts, and incandescent exit signs, all of which had been running around the clock.
Energy efficiency improvements included replacing all metal halide, T12 fluorescent, and magnetic ballasts, with super T8 fluorescent, electronic ballasts, and Vapor-Tight lenses, which help prevent moisture buildup inside the fixture. LED exit signs were replaced with incandescent units.
Because lighting on each level is controlled by a single contactor, occupancy sensors are tied together by level. Select lighting fixtures will remain hardwired and illuminated throughout the garage day and night as a safety measure.
FitRec
This project has saved 546,000 kWh a year, the CO2 equivalent of powering 72 cars or 54 homes.
* Metal halide lamps in basketball courts, multipurpose courts, and the pool area, were replaced with T5 high output fluorescent systems equipped with electronic ballasts, acrylic lenses, and wire guards.
* All halogens were replaced with with LEDs or CFLs.
* Occupancy sensors were installed in the basketball courts, multipurpose courts, lockers, stairways, and mechanical rooms.
* Re-lamped and reballasted all T8 to Super T8 lamps and efficient ballasts in the buildings
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
The existing lighting system in this area contained predominantly metal halide and a few high pressure sodium lamps. Existing lighting, which had previously stayed on 24/7, was replaced with super T8 fluorescent, cold temperature ballasts and Vapor-Tight lenses, which helps reduce moisture build up inside the fixture.
As with the Warren Tower project, occupancy sensors were installed in each zone. Fixtures with day lighting exposure (i.e. on the roof, top floor, and along the perimeter of the structure) have photocell controls to further reduce energy consumption.
Warren Tower Garage
This project is saving 283,500 kWh a year, which is equivalent to the CO2 emissions produced from running 37 cars, or powering 28 homes.
This four-level parking structure had consisted of metal halide lamps, T12 fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts, and incandescent exit signs, all of which had been running around the clock.
Energy efficiency improvements included replacing all metal halide, T12 fluorescent, and magnetic ballasts, with super T8 fluorescent, electronic ballasts, and Vapor-Tight lenses, which help prevent moisture buildup inside the fixture. LED exit signs were replaced with incandescent units.
Because lighting on each level is controlled by a single contactor, occupancy sensors are tied together by level. Select lighting fixtures will remain hardwired and illuminated throughout the garage day and night as a safety measure.
FitRec
This project has saved 546,000 kWh a year, the CO2 equivalent of powering 72 cars or 54 homes.
* Metal halide lamps in basketball courts, multipurpose courts, and the pool area, were replaced with T5 high output fluorescent systems equipped with electronic ballasts, acrylic lenses, and wire guards.
* All halogens were replaced with with LEDs or CFLs.
* Occupancy sensors were installed in the basketball courts, multipurpose courts, lockers, stairways, and mechanical rooms.
* Re-lamped and reballasted all T8 to Super T8 lamps and efficient ballasts in the buildings
Blog Sponsor: Value Energy Solutions
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to retrofit lighting with energy efficient lighting upgrades. Experts all agree that energy efficient lighting retrofits are the first step to reducing your energy consumption. Value Energy Solutions was formed to help companies achieve energy savings through energy efficient lighting retrofits. They offer the widest selection of energy efficient lighting and best pricing based on the volume purchases because they are one of the largest energy retrofitting companies in the nation.for more information please visit their energy efficient lighting website or call (678) 501-4880
Green Leases to Include Energy Efficient Operations
The topic of green leases and ways tenants and landlords can protect the financial interests associated with green building has been a big area of discussion over the last few years — and for good reason. As building owners continue to adopt green building practices both in newly constructed and existing buildings, they want to protect their investment and the value created by earning LEED green certification of their portfolio. On the flip side, many more tenants are looking to lease space in green buildings, are persuading landlords to seek LEED certification of existing buildings as part of the lease negotiation, and are building out tenant space as LEED for Commercial Interiors projects. To assist the industry in navigating this new market reality, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the “Green Office Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process,” a new resource to help tenants and landlords collaborate and provide specific tools and information that will help integrate green decision making throughout the leasing process.
There are now numerous examples of green leases ranging from full lease forms to specific sustainability riders. While these are important tools for the real estate industry, what the market lacked was a comprehensive resource that guided tenants, owners, brokers and attorneys through the process of integrating green thinking into the entire leasing process, not just into the lease terms. The leasing process constitutes much more than just the legally binding agreement. Building qualification and selection, leasing, landlord qualification and green tenant build-outs are complex processes, and while the lease terms frame key legal areas of the tenant-landlord relationship, decisions are made throughout the process that impact the success of the project’s green goals.
Building-Reflected_lg.jpg
Geared toward corporate tenants and their brokers, the “Green Office Guide” provides specific tools that help teams navigate the nuances of successful execution. Building owners, agency representatives and attorneys find value in understanding what prospective sustainability-focused tenants are looking for when selecting a prospective landlord or building. Among the topics covered in the guide include selecting the right team, qualifying and selecting buildings and landlords, lease negotiations and specific legal language, the tenant build-out, and the tenant’s ongoing operations and relationship with an existing landlord.
One of the challenges with green leases is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to negotiating a green lease. By educating practitioners on the process and the options, tenants and landlords can better collaborate to achieve a solution that works for both parties. The “Green Office Guide” tackles areas in which tenants and landlords may not be familiar, from background on LEED and green building, to the different steps of the leasing process, to how to actively build green thinking into standard practices. Other invaluable tools such as sample RFP language, site selection checklists, criteria for qualifying brokers and other project team professionals, and sample green lease provisions with extensive drafting notes are all covered.
This resource is the first in a suite of commercial integration guides by USGBC aimed to educate and be a companion resource to those interested in green building but are not immersed in the process on a daily basis. The “Green Operations Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Property Management” will be released in August 2010 and will be an invaluable resource for those real estate professionals working towards the greening of existing buildings. Practical solutions for energy, water and waste reduction will be discussed and purchasers of the guide will receive access to editable electronic policy templates and tools that can aid in certification documentation. The “Green Retail Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process,” also available this summer, will focus on the nuances of a successful green leasing process with a specific focus on the retail marketplace.
With every sector now playing a vital role in the green building movement, understanding how sustainability can be incorporated and lucrative for all is a vital component of achieving green buildings for all within a generation.
Katie Rothenberg
Katie Rothenberg is manager of the commercial real estate sector at the U.S. Green Building Council.
There are now numerous examples of green leases ranging from full lease forms to specific sustainability riders. While these are important tools for the real estate industry, what the market lacked was a comprehensive resource that guided tenants, owners, brokers and attorneys through the process of integrating green thinking into the entire leasing process, not just into the lease terms. The leasing process constitutes much more than just the legally binding agreement. Building qualification and selection, leasing, landlord qualification and green tenant build-outs are complex processes, and while the lease terms frame key legal areas of the tenant-landlord relationship, decisions are made throughout the process that impact the success of the project’s green goals.
Building-Reflected_lg.jpg
Geared toward corporate tenants and their brokers, the “Green Office Guide” provides specific tools that help teams navigate the nuances of successful execution. Building owners, agency representatives and attorneys find value in understanding what prospective sustainability-focused tenants are looking for when selecting a prospective landlord or building. Among the topics covered in the guide include selecting the right team, qualifying and selecting buildings and landlords, lease negotiations and specific legal language, the tenant build-out, and the tenant’s ongoing operations and relationship with an existing landlord.
One of the challenges with green leases is that there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to negotiating a green lease. By educating practitioners on the process and the options, tenants and landlords can better collaborate to achieve a solution that works for both parties. The “Green Office Guide” tackles areas in which tenants and landlords may not be familiar, from background on LEED and green building, to the different steps of the leasing process, to how to actively build green thinking into standard practices. Other invaluable tools such as sample RFP language, site selection checklists, criteria for qualifying brokers and other project team professionals, and sample green lease provisions with extensive drafting notes are all covered.
This resource is the first in a suite of commercial integration guides by USGBC aimed to educate and be a companion resource to those interested in green building but are not immersed in the process on a daily basis. The “Green Operations Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Property Management” will be released in August 2010 and will be an invaluable resource for those real estate professionals working towards the greening of existing buildings. Practical solutions for energy, water and waste reduction will be discussed and purchasers of the guide will receive access to editable electronic policy templates and tools that can aid in certification documentation. The “Green Retail Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process,” also available this summer, will focus on the nuances of a successful green leasing process with a specific focus on the retail marketplace.
With every sector now playing a vital role in the green building movement, understanding how sustainability can be incorporated and lucrative for all is a vital component of achieving green buildings for all within a generation.
Katie Rothenberg
Katie Rothenberg is manager of the commercial real estate sector at the U.S. Green Building Council.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)