Operations & Maintenance
Operations and maintenance (O&M) of existing buildings get short shrift in the green building community.
But greening existing buildings has immediate benefits for owners, occupants, and the planet. And new buildings that look good on paper need a successful handoff to operations. That often includes a year or more of working out the kinks in sophisticated energy systems.
Sustainable O&M encompasses:
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site maintenance, landscaping, and rainwater management
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water efficiency
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energy efficiency, including auditing and commissioning
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environmentally preferable purchasing
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waste management
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indoor air quality management
- green cleaning
Operations & Maintenance
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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How Buildings Fail Their Users
Feature Article
A building doesn’t have to be falling down to fail. We share seven stories of green buildings gone wrong—along with tips for prevention.
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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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Energy Reporting: It's the Law
Feature Article
As building owners comply with new laws to report energy use, the data may change the industry-and the act of reporting it already has.
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Measuring Energy Use in Buildings: Do Our Metrics Really Add Up?
Feature Article
How much energy our buildings use matters a great deal, but figuring out how to measure that use and compare it from building to building is tricky. Here's a guide to key metrics and how to use them.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Putting the “Pre” in Post-Occupancy Evaluations
Infographic
Don’t just take a survey and walk away. There’s a better way to do POEs that can dovetail with the integrative process, improve project outcomes, and save clients money.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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A “Waterless” Urinal Without the Odor
Product Review
Sloan’s Hybrid urinal is water efficient and uses a pre-programmed, bi-weekly rinse that minimizes odor and maintenance problems.
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For a Low-Maintenance Green Roof, Give Plants Better Soil
Product Review
Inventors of the WaterGrip growing medium say it supports near-miraculous growth—but do their claims hold as much water as their soil?
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Making Wall Outlets Safer—and Smarter
Product Review
In addition to protecting against electric shock and fire, SafePlug uses RFID tags to help track energy use from individual appliances and turn them on and off remotely.
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HOBO Data Loggers: No Longer Just for Researchers
Product Review
Understanding how buildings work is becoming more and more important, and Onset Computer offers a wide range of HOBO data loggers to serve this need.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Waste Not Want Not: NYC Zero Waste Design Guidelines
News Analysis
If we can reduce waste here, we can do it anywhere.
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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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Designing the Culture of a Zero Waste City
News Analysis
Design plays a key role in helping cities overcome the logistical and social barriers to eliminating waste.
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Overcooled Offices Impair Thinking
News Brief
New research shows a warmer setpoint combined with personal fans saves energy while maintaining occupant comfort and performance levels in tropical climates.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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On the Path to Net Zero
Op-Ed
At Leonard Farm, we’ve taken another big step in our quest for net-zero energy and net-zero carbon—but we’re not there yet!
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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How Buildings Fail Their Users
Feature Article
A building doesn’t have to be falling down to fail. We share seven stories of green buildings gone wrong—along with tips for prevention.
-
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.
-
Energy Reporting: It's the Law
Feature Article
As building owners comply with new laws to report energy use, the data may change the industry-and the act of reporting it already has.
