In a period of growing energy costs and increasing environmental awareness, sustainability has never been more important in the built environment. Prioritizing energy-efficient measures is a smart economic choice for building owners across any major market, offering long-term benefits including lower energy usage and expenses, improved operations, and better occupant comfort.
In a recent whitepaper, Sustainable Design Priorities for Energy & Cost Savings, RTM Engineering Consultants outlines the wide range of services offered by our Sustainability Studio and how they can provide clean and efficient solutions to building owners nationwide.
Some of the services include:
Energy Modeling: Through energy modeling – a virtual simulation of a facility’s energy consumption and costs – problem areas and solutions are identified before construction or renovation begins, as it is critical to analyze the energy performance of a building early in the design or retrofit processes before spending a significant amount of time or money implementing changes.
Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning: Commissioning is a detailed process that ensures the systems in a new building are designed, installed, tested, operated and maintained for maximum efficiency while also meeting the owner’s functionality goals. For existing buildings, the retro-commissioning process measures the health of the building’s MEP systems.
LEED & Green Globes Administration: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes are certification programs that verify the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. Facilities earn a rating level based on energy and resource usage, water efficiency, innovation and other sustainability features. Certification for both offers benefits such as lower operational costs, increased marketability and recognition, and qualification for tax credits and incentives.
Energy Star Portfolio Administration: Managed by the EPA, the ENERGY STAR program certifies new and existing buildings that meet strict performance guidelines, helping businesses and individuals save money and protect the environment. Eligibility is restricted to 21 different types of facilities, which must earn a rating score of at least 75 on a scale of 1 to 100.
As a sustainable design leader, RTM works with building owners to provide a well-researched strategy with an emphasis on the economic value through detailed payback analysis.
To see the full list of services provided by our Sustainability Studio and to learn about their benefits, download our whitepaper.
