Life Begins After LEED
LEED, Energy Savings August 26, 2010
Today's tip is about how facility managers can keep the momentum going after a LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance certification.
Because most facility managers first heard about the LEED rating system in the context of new construction, there’s often the perception that when a building achieves certification, that's it. The goal was achieved and the plaque's on the wall and now we’re on to other things.
With LEED EBOM, that perception is flat out wrong. LEED EBOM encourages continuous improvement and even recertification well after the plaque is on the wall. In fact, one facility manager's only-partially-facetious advice about the first thing to do after you get your LEED plaque is to throw it away.
The LEED plaque is merely a piece of recognition that your building did well in terms of energy and water use for a short period of time. But to get better, facility managers must stay on top of all the initiatives they put in place as a result of their LEED initiative.
Additionally, facility managers must constantly engage building occupants and upper managers with contests, newsletters, and other forms of regular communication. This lets them know that LEED goals continue after certification and that continuous improvement - especially in terms of energy and water savings - is the real goal.
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