Buildings Magazine - October 2018

a new role for a lot of existing building operators."

Simple solutions he suggests
that you can implement into your
facility include:
n Changing computer settings so
it goes to sleep after a certain
amount of time and isn't on
when not in use
n Setting up a schedule for light-
ing and the HVAC system and
installing sensors so they are on
when people are in the building

"You don't necessarily need to make your building to zero energy to be successful," Carbonnier says. "Even if it's high efficiency, it's still performing much better than the average building. You will have lower energy and carbon emissions, a more comfortable building and will be making great contributions for your community and occupants." B

Valerie Dennis Craven valerie. craven@buildings.com is editor in chief of BUILDINGS.

HOOD RIVER (OR) MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC AND SCIENCE BUILDING features a greenhouse and solar panels to support its net zero energy initiative.

MI C HA EL MATH E RS

Including net zero energy improvements or retrofits has many positive effects for a building and the occupants. However, getting higher ups and decision makers on board financially can be difficult.

Radhika Lalit, senior associate with Rocky Mountain Institute, offers tips on how to make the financial case.

n When looking at retrofits, consider efficiency first, and leverage improvements over time in conjunction with capital upgrades and other building lifecycle events (e.g. boiler or chiller replacements).

n Believe in the productiv-
ity benefits of a green building
because even a fractional increase
in productivity for an owner-occu-
pied commercial building dwarfs
the other energy savings and the
market differentiation it provides.

If the builder intends to lease the space, these increased productivity benefits can translate to higher resale value, better tenant retention and higher rents.

n While energy retrofits have a payback, many other common building improvements have no direct payback (e.g. new lobby, fresh coat of paint). Net zero energy should be a priority, given the business case.