Ask the Expert: Will Your Sustainable Building Meet Expectations?

It’s essential that different technologies be coordinated during the design process so finished systems work well together. Contractors must understand the design intent so that when they look to substitute materials and equipment, sustainable qualities aren’t compromised. They also need to understand how systems are supposed to work, together and apart, to install them properly and train owners adequately.

Engaging enhanced and monitoring based (E&M) commissioning is critical. With E&M commissioning, the commissioning agent reviews contractor submittals and provides another set of eyes to guarantee what’s provided is what was specified. They also assist designers with requirements for measuring and metering to generate invaluable information for fine-tuning and troubleshooting systems—at start-up and beyond. To further certify that a building operates as designed, the agent develops monitoring-based procedures and conducts a review of building operations 10 months after completion.

The building’s initial occupancy period is often challenging, as occupants learn to adjust to new surroundings with features that may also be new to them. Building operators may be learning to work with complicated systems. Owners should consider having the project design team host workshops to educate about green features. Providing a building user’s guide is also a good idea, as is including a dashboard system to monitor and track energy consumption, including lighting, power, heating, and cooling to provide feedback to occupants.