The CGBP designation recognizes builders, remodelers, and other industry professionals who incorporate green and sustainable building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction.
Certified by Built It Green, a GreenPoint Rater performs all steps of a green rating process, including helping a project decide which points to achieve, verifying green measures, and submitting applications and documentations. Only Raters can submit verified projects for a Certificate of Evaluation. HERS, BPI or other home performance qualifications are required to become […]
Cogeneration (CoGen), or combined heat and power (CHP) is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat. CHP reduces a facility’s demand for heating and cooling. The impact of CHP systems on energy use is an increase in site energy and a decrease in source […]
The Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) is a national sample survey that collects information on the stock of U.S. commercial buildings, including their energy-related building characteristics and energy usage data (consumption and expenditures). This data is used in Energy Modeling, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and policy making.
Commissioning is the process of ensuring that building systems are designed, installed, functionally tested, and capable of being operated and maintained according to the owner’s operational needs. This includes review and submittals, testing, equipment, and verifying control sequences. Commissioning also can restore existing buildings to high productivity through renovation, upgrade and tune-up of existing systems.
In the construction stage of a project, a CxA is a staff member who works to identify issues when it comes to operations, installation, testing, and performance of a building. The CxA typically is responsible for establishing the Cx plan, observing testing, compiling the O&M manual, leading and managing the project commission process (design and/or […]
CCx is an ongoing process to resolve operating problems, improve comfort, and optimize energy use for existing commercial and institutional buildings and central plant facilities. This is often accomplished through building monitoring systems (BMS) and/or sensors to capture operational data.
An investigation or audit of a potential investment to confirm all material facts in regards to a sale, such as reviewing all financial records plus anything else deemed material to the sale.
An energy audit is an inspection, survey, and analysis of energy systems. An energy audit is performed for energy conservation and to reduce the amount of energy usage.
Energy Conservation or Efficiency Measures (ECM or EEM) and Energy and Water Conservation Measures (EWCM). Following an energy investigation, energy conservation or efficiency measures (ECMs or EEMs) are recommended to save or reduce utility costs, such as energy, water (EWCMs include water), and gas. Measures consist of potential replacements of, or upgrades to, existing systems […]