OVERVIEW
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
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
