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Phoenix — Jan. 29, 2015 — Green Ideas Sustainability Consultants of New Mexico has completed certification of three projects on Masthead Street in Albuquerque, N.M., under the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EB) program.
The three projects, all spearheaded by Asset Management Solutions (AMS) of Albuquerque, demonstrate the importance of focusing on the life-cycle performance of buildings for property management companies.
The projects, known as Masthead 3900, Masthead 4000, and Masthead 4400 scored ENERGY STAR ratings of 82, 98, and 82 respectively. The U.S. Forest Service occupies both Masthead 3900 and 4000, and the U.S. Department of the Interior is the sole tenant at Masthead 4400.
LEED-EB certification provides powerful benefits including operational and maintenance savings that the building owners will enjoy over the life of the buildings. It also gives AMS the opportunity to target tax savings available through the New Mexico Sustainable Building Tax Credit (SBTC), an income tax credit that encourages private sector design and construction of energy efficient, sustainable buildings for commercial and residential use. The tax credit is based on third-party validation of a building's level of sustainability which was provided by the LEED-EB certification.
The Masthead 4000 project had been previously LEED certified under the LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) program in November of 2011. The NC certification, when used during the initial design and construction of a building can make achievement of the LEED-EB certification easier. Green Ideas is able to expedite the certification process for its clients using its LEED Proven Provider status with the Green Building Certification Institute.
Charlie Popeck, president of Green Ideas said, "I am glad to see a progressive company like Asset Management Solutions moving forward with LEED-EB certification for their projects. Their portfolio will be greatly enhanced by this certification. Hopefully, more property management companies will realize that sustainability can pay off immediately in real dollars and cents."
The project team focused on energy efficiency from the start by implementing energy efficiency measures including lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors, water source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, building automation systems, and ENERGY STAR rated appliances.
LEED certification will also ensure a healthy working environment for employees due to implementation of Green Janitorial and Integrated Pest Management programs, which reduce occupant's exposure to toxic chemicals and airborne particles.
Additionally, Trip Reduction and Green Building Education programs will engage occupants by saving money for transportation, as well as explaining why certain green operation strategies were chosen.
Click to read all three Project Profiles that highlight LEED facts, project results and sustainable strategies.
Green Ideas is an industry leader specializing in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Consulting including charrette facilitation, programming assistance, and certification services. Established in 2002, Green Ideas is a full-service sustainability consulting firm offering corporate sustainability planning, educational programs, product evaluation and marketing services, energy management, and world-class green building consulting services.
