Sustainable Buildings
Why Should I Care?
• The young lady on the school green
committee who knows nothing about facility
management, public utilities, budgeting or
mechanical systems cares.
• Consider the “low hanging fruit.”
• Public utility costs continue to rise
– While natural gas has continued a downward
trend, other utilities according to the CPI have
trended upward significantly.
http://ipu.msu.edu/research/pdfs/IPU-Consumer-Price-Index-for-Utilities-2011-2012.pdf
Why Should I Care? cont.
• Consider this: Recycling 10 aluminum cans
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Can power an air conditioner for 1.7 hours
Can power a 60 watt CFL for eight continuous days
Can power your laptop for 2 days
The same 10 aluminum cans will produce 2.6 kWh of
energy, 10 milk containers will produce 4.9 kWh,
enough energy to power your laptop for 4 continuous
days.
– Statistic provided by EPA. Gov’s iwarm interactive tool
• http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/tools/iwarm/index.htm
Why Should I Care? cont.
• The Triple Bottom Line
– Economic
– Environmental
– Social
• Reduction of water usage, disposal charges,
energy costs, and so on are critical dollars
needed to help combat rising inflation which
has significantly impacted supply budgets
• Federal, State, and Local governments care
Statistics
• Annual use statistics
– 6 billion pounds of chemicals
– 4.5 billion pounds of paper
– 35 billion pounds of can liners
– 500 million pounds of cleaning equipment is
disposed of
Statistic provided by betco.com
Benefits of Providing
a Sustainable Program
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Improved production 5-7%
Reduced energy costs 30%
Reduced water costs 30%
Reduced respiratory disease 9-20%
Reduced allergies and asthma symptoms 18-25%
Reduced absenteeism 15%
Lower turnover
Statistic provided by betco.com
Road Map
• Sustainable Building Programs
• Practical Solutions
Sustainable Building Programs
What are Sustainable Concepts
• "Sustainability secures people's quality of life
within the means of nature in a way that is fair
and equitable to all humanity, other species
and to future generations. Sustainability
recognizes the inter-relatedness of the
economy, society, and environment. It
requires that we not consume resources faster
than they can be renewed nor produce wastes
faster than they can be absorbed."
www.sustainablesonoma.org.
Minnesota B3
• B3 is a web site utilized by the state for
benchmarking purposes
• You can compare your buildings energy
consumption against similar properties, state and
nation wide
• You can view a number of quality charts and
graphs which help with energy management
• For more information about B3 visit
https://mn.b3benchmarking.com/Overview.aspx
?r=1
Minnesota Sustainable Buildings
Guidelines
• The next generation of B3
• Sets required and suggested guidelines for
new construction and major remodeling
projects for public buildings and schools
• Outcomes:
– Project lifecycle capital costs
– Human impacts and related costs
– Environmental impact
– Community impacts and costs
Minnesota Sustainable Buildings
Guidelines Continued
• MSBG Compliance Table (Required)
– Performance Management
• General planning information for sustainable buildings
– Site and Water
• Soil and water management
• Light pollution standards
• Water uses efficiencies
– Energy and Atmosphere
• New construction requires a percentage of total energy requirements to be derived from
renewable sources
• Sets guidelines for energy efficient equipment
– Indoor Environmental Quality
• Restrict tobacco use
• Ventilation, moisture control, thermal comfort, guidelines
• Lighting guidelines
– Materials and Waste
• Life cycle and preferred materials
• Waste reduction and management
LEED
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
– Sets guidelines for sustainability
– Developed a number of measureable certifiable
building standards using third party verifications
– LEED for Schools
• http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1
905
Green Labeling
• Numerous organizations which label/certify a
product as “green product”
• Green Labeling Organizations
– Energy Star, Green Seal, ISO, CRI Green Label, DfE.
– Products can receive environmentally friendly ratings
by
• Proving they are less harmful to humans, animals and the
surrounding indoor or outdoor environment.
• Proving they use less energy than other leading products
• Being biodegradable, recyclable or reusable
ISSA
• The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association
• Provides education/learning opportunities for
custodial professionals
• Provides guidelines and recommends industry
standards
IFMA/BOMA
• Facility management associations
• Provides educational resources for facility
managers and building owners
• Local chapters/Membership
• Provides guidance and recommends industry
standards
• Involved in the legislative processes
Practical Ideas
Barriers to Efficiency
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Building condition or constraints
Financial considerations
Lack of school board support
Lack of community support
Current equipment packages
Occupant behaviors
Knowledge base
Lighting
Energy Reduction Ideas
• Clean light bulbs and fixtures regularly
• Use T8 and T5 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Consider using occupancy sensors or daylight
dimming sensors/photo cells, or timers
• Wash windows regularly
Lighting
Energy Reduction Ideas
• Replace incandescent exit signage with LED
alternatives
• Consider fluorescent high bay lighting as an
alternative to Metal Halide bulbs
• Clean ceilings, doors and walls regularly
• Install skylights in corridors
Building Envelope
Energy Reduction Ideas
• Repair broken windows/replace with energy
efficient windows
• Maintain irrigation systems
• Plan periodic maintenance for roofs and
flashing
• Caulk windows, expansion joints and doors
• Replace weather stripping as needed
Building Envelope
Energy Reduction Ideas
• Fill foundation cracks
• Caulk/fill masonry joints as needed
• Clean out scuppers, downspouts, and roof
drains
• Periodically inspect louvers and fresh air
intake vents
• Consider a cool roof
HVAC
Energy Reduction Ideas
• Utilize Building Automation Software
– Control lighting, security, demand, heating,
cooling, monitor CO2, trending and many other
functions
• Install occupancy sensors
• Use night setback/unoccupied set points
• Replace antiquated equipment with rebated
or more energy efficient models
• Change out air filters on time EVERY TIME
HVAC
Energy Reduction Ideas Cont.
• Plan for a re-commissioning study
• Consider partnering with a local utility
company for an energy management study
• Consider a PSA program with a local vendor to
provide resources such as heavy mechanical
and refrigerant services
• Look for a guaranteed energy savings
contractor
HVAC
Energy Reduction Ideas Cont.
• Monitor boilers for frequent cycling
• Utilize economizer features as much as
possible. Use available outdoor air for cooling
and heating as much as possible.
• Utilize lockouts: on boiler systems, chiller, DX,
and other heating and cooling systems
• Be creative/consult with experts in these
fields
– Chicago elevator blow out story
HVAC
Energy Reduction Ideas Cont.
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Install VFD’s
Install outdoor resets on boilers
Annually tune boiler
Clean dirty coils and drip pans
Check pipe insulation
Water Conservation Ideas
• Install water conservation fixtures
– Flush valves, shower heads, faucets, aerators
• Monitor irrigation systems
• Utilize high efficiency dishwashers, laundry,
and cooling towers
Waste Management
• Start a co-mingle recycling program
• Involve faculty and students
• Consider partnering with biology and FFA
students for a compost pile
• Consider collaborating with local agencies to
sponsor a household hazardous waste
collection day
Other Energy Reduction Ideas
• Simple strategies to reduce energy
– Turn off computers when not in use
– Monitor appliances brought in by staff members
• What other ideas do you have?
• References/Suggested Resources:
– Best Practices Manual of High Performance
Schools. Vol: IV Maintenance and Operations
http://www.chps.net/dev/Drupal/node/39
Paper Product Suggestions
• Purchase bath tissue that is 20%-60% post
consumer
• Purchase paper towels that are 40%-60% post
consumer
• Purchase napkins that are 30%-60% post
consumer
• Purchase trash can liners that are 10%-25%
post consumer
Chemical Considerations
• Avoid duplication of products–
– Try Betco’s peroxide based products, which replace
many other Betco products.
• Mix chemicals with cold water
– Very few chemicals in Betco’s line need to be mixed
with warm/hot water
• Look for products with low/no VOCs and low/no
carcinogens
• Look for products which are environmentally
friendly in production
Chemical Considerations
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Look for products which are biodegradable
Use PH neutral products when possible
Utilize products with low or no fragrances
“Avoid whenever possible Nonyl, Phenol
Ethoxylates, NTA EDTA, glycol ethers, sodium
hydroxide, sodium metasilicate, and phosphates.
As these have been known to cause adverse
health or environmental impact.”
• Avoid aerosols
Other Considerations
• Purchase products which come in recycled
containers
• Purchase products whose containers can be
recycled
• BUY PLASTIC- plastic bag production requires
40% less energy to produce and 70% less air
pollution than paper bags and they can be
recycled.
Resources
• Betco.com
– Cleaning for health and the environment learning
module
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Epa.gov
Greenseal.org
Usgbc.org
Chps.net
Issa.com
Questions