Operational Costs
Operational cost savings go hand-in-hand with common green building measures:
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energy savings from well-designed building assemblies
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water savings from efficient fixtures and fittings
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maintenance cost savings from durable and less-toxic finishes
However, if you look at the purpose of our buildings—to provide productive spaces for office workers, learning environments for children, and healing spaces for hospital patients—the biggest cost implications for buildings are those that affect occupants. In that light, additional green building strategies also make a lot of sense:
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daylighting for greater worker productivity
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ventilation and low-emitting products for better air quality, and test scores
- biophilic design elements for faster healing
Operational Costs
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Embracing the Economy as a Design Challenge
Feature Article
How architects, community developers, and others are experimenting with new models to support progressive design.
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Design Strategies for Occupant Engagement—and Why They Boost Performance
Feature Article
Researchers reveal simple ways to empower occupants to reduce energy, water, and waste. It all starts with good design.
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Retrocommissioning: Big Savings for Big Buildings
Feature Article
Retrocommissioning or RCx can be a valuable tool for commercial building owners. RCx addresses the same scope as new building commissioning but is performed on existing buildings. RCx can improve building performance, save energy and money-especially for large buildings.
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Cost-Effective Green Retrofits: Opportunities for Savings in Existing Buildings
Feature Article
Between lighting, water use, mechanical systems, the building envelope, and occupant health, existing buildings are rife with cost-effective retrofits and operational opportunities that also offer environmental benefits. Improvements range from the painfully obvious to the more complex and involved.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Discount Rates: Pricing Future Environmental Costs Today
Primer
How should present-day investments be evaluated in the context of far-off catastrophe?
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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LVT: Like Vinyl Today? It’s Making a Comeback
Product Review
The popularity of luxury vinyl tile represents a resurgence for PVC, but there are alternatives that look as good or better.
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Cost-Competitive LED Outdoor Area Lighting Is Here
Product Review
Cree’s high-performing LED technology plus an improved manufacturing process create the low-cost OSQ Area LED for parking, roads, and other uses.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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When Investing in Energy Retrofits Makes Sense
News Brief
Thoughtful analysis and spending across the portfolio can result in better ROI, according to research from the Rocky Mountain Institute.
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Certified “Green” Parking; on the Road to Sustainable Mobility
News Analysis
Parksmart recognizes facilities that not only reduce their impact but support a transition to sustainable forms of transportation.
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Energy Use, Carbon Emissions Down in NYC Buildings
News Analysis
New York’s benchmarking law has created a treasure trove of data on energy and water use in large buildings. Researchers are unpacking it and discovering noteworthy trends.
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Zero Waste? Is It TRUE?
News Brief
The TRUE rating system helps businesses and facilities eliminate waste through education and performance tracking.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Design Strategies for Occupant Engagement—and Why They Boost Performance
Feature Article
Researchers reveal simple ways to empower occupants to reduce energy, water, and waste. It all starts with good design.
