Energy Audits, Models, and More
For construction teams working on green buildings, energy modeling, auditing, and more are becoming more common services that are provided by consulting companies. Having a third party manage all the green considerations ensures the building is as efficient as possible.
One company that provides LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) consulting and energy modeling is Epsten Group, www.epstengroup.com, Atlanta, Ga., which offers services in all phases of a building’s lifecycle to government, institutional, commercial, healthcare, and residential projects.
The company has provided services to government entities including the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, among others.
Last week, the organization announced it will provide energy auditing, building commissioning, and energy consulting services under a GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contract. The initial five-year agreement includes federal energy-efficiency projects throughout the nation.
The program from the GSA connects eligible government purchasers with suppliers. The Epsten Group will help a number of end users improve energy efficiency, while also enabling the GSA to meet goals for government buildings.
“The federal government’s commitment to energy-efficient building solutions aligns well with Epsten Group’s mission to help clients audit, track, and improve energy performance,” says Dagmar Epsten, president and CEO, Epsten Group. “We have had the pleasure of working with a number of government clients over the years, and we are proud to be a part of the federal government’s energy-efficient future.”
Many owners—government and commercial—are turning more frequently to consulting companies to provide energy-related services. A great deal of items needs to be considered when building efficient buildings from initial energy modeling through ongoing commissioning and management of energy data. These types of consulting organizations can help best consider these factors throughout the lifecycle of a building.
Many consulting companies are even facilitating integrated design practices and using advanced technologies in order to help owners achieve green building goals with little or no cost increase over traditional building construction.
Going forward, owners need to carefully consider green building practices and how such goals are going to be met. A company offering sustainability services might be a good fit to audit, track, and improve ongoing energy performance.