Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 - (Page 14)

SLDT FINANCE EDUCATION LEED Points that Don’t Break the Budget Tips on how to achieve a balance between costs and sustainable building construction. By Jeff White M any building professionals pursue LEED© certification because they believe it’s the right thing to do. Since the first version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines were introduced in 2000, consensus has been building that adherence to those guidelines is good for everyone—from building owners and managers to the planet itself. Naturally, however, costs are a significant concern. But several techniques exist to help owners, architects and contractors in various markets, including higher education, capture those all-important points for the fewest possible dollars. Furthermore, early decisionmaking will provide the greatest energy payoffs in the long term. In the case of public buildings, such as schools, that can mean savings for taxpayers. Location, Location, Location The first consideration is site selection, which allows for not only some of the easiest and cheapest LEED points to pick up, but also other perks such as tax credits. Choosing a building site immediately involves the owner in decisions that can easily reap LEED benefits. Damaged brownfield sites, for instance, can be picked up inexpensively and rehabilitated. Habitat restoration following the building’s completion should be undertaken with a careful plan for bulldozer placement and use; this way, site disturbance — and thus rehab costs – can be kept to a minimum. Another simple solution is to plan landscaping around native grasses and vegetation. Not only is this less costly than exotic imported greenery; it’s also more environmentally friendly. That’s because plants that are adapted to the environment will not require expensive irrigation systems to maintain their appeal. At the very least, they’ll require less irrigation than other choices. The money saved on irrigation can be invested in other water-use reduction technology, such as sensors on faucets and waterless urinals. Site selection should also depend on whether the site lies in close proximity to alternative transportation. Alternative transportation near the site can potentially earn the project a LEED point. Capturing the point can be as simple as providing a rack for workers to store their bicycles, along with shower facilities. Site selection is also critical to long-term heating and cooling costs. Building orientation and landscaping can significantly reduce costs over time. 14 March 2009 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 Contents Our Voice: Energy Savings Accounts Mining the Sewers for On-site Reuse Modern Flood Disasters The Financial Challenge of Leed® Technology: Opportunities Exist to Buy in Now SLDI In Focus: A Look Inside Calendar of Events Energy: Solar Power on Rails Industry News Products & Services The Bottom Line: Green Lending – Class G Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word: Not All Gloom & Doom

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

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