In a recent whitepaper, Sustainable Design Priorities for Energy & Cost Savings, RTM Engineering Consultants outlined the wide range of services offered by our Sustainability Studio and how the studio plays a role in ensuring the company provides clean and efficient solutions to building owners nationwide.
Sustainable buildings have never been more important, as environmental awareness and energy costs continue to grow within the built environment. Prioritizing energy-efficient measures offers long-term benefits including lower energy usage and expenses, improved operations, and better occupant comfort for building owners across any major market.
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. 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.
“We developed a whole-building energy model and tested different HVAC solutions to recover their energy performance,” Mitesh Smart, P.E., LEED AP, CxA, described how energy modeling was used for a retail client. “Conducting a cost analysis allowed us to identify the best system arrangement for them without compromising on indoor environmental quality (IEQ). We were able to suggest energy-efficient measures that would lower their monthly utility bill and payback in a reasonable time period.”
An analysis provides understanding of a building’s energy usage and utility bills while accurately estimating the long-term costs related to water, lighting, heating and cooling. The importance of each feature is measured to the facility’s overall energy performance, allowing recommendations to be made (such as photovoltaics or high-efficiency HVAC equipment) that will yield optimal payback.
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.