Matching Performance to Predictions in Green Multifamily
Maureen M. Mahle
Abstract:
Do residential green buildings really deliver as promised? As the green building industry matures, it
becomes increasingly important to compare performance data to predictions in a cycle of continuous
evaluation and improvement. This session will present post occupancy data from multifamily projects
certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, including the Multifamily Mid-Rise Adaptation.
University Village Apartments (120 units, Syracuse), 585 6th Avenue (27 units, Brooklyn), The Eltona (63
units, The Bronx) and other projects will be showcased in a comparison between energy modeling
predictions and a full year of actual utility consumption data. In addition to an analysis of electricity, gas,
and water data, the session will explore building owner/developer satisfaction with the green building
process. Unforeseen challenges, including air sealing and balancing of ERV’s, will be discussed, along
with benefits like attractiveness to tenants and improved occupant health. The selected projects
demonstrate a diverse project set (student housing, luxury rental, and affordable housing) and diverse
energy modeling tools (REM/Rate, eQuest, and TREAT). Data for the three listed projects has already
been collected and analyzed; additional projects will be added as they become available prior to the
conference.
Bio:
Maureen McGeary Mahle is an engineer and Director of Sustainable Housing Services for Steven Winter
Associates, Inc. (SWA), a leading research/design firm specializing in energy efficient and sustainable
buildings. Ms. Mahle supports project teams seeking to comply with regional green building programs,
utility-sponsored energy efficiency incentive programs, and national green building programs, including
the National Green Building Standard, LEED for Homes, and ENERGY STAR programs for single family and
multifamily housing. Ms. Mahle has consulted on over 300 green housing projects totaling 5,000 units in
ten states. Ms. Mahle received her M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of
Wisconsin Madison.