International. On the occasion of Earth Day, the International Association of Building Owners and Managers (BOMA) released seven recommendations that commercial real estate industry professionals can implement to be leaders in sustainability.
Taking into account that the energy consumption by this type of buildings represents 20% of the total electricity consumed in the United States, BOMA considers it of the utmost importance that property managers commit to the search for more environmentally friendly options within the operation of their buildings.
In that sense, BOMA points out that with these seven strategies concrete steps can be taken to maximize the energy efficiency of commercial properties.
- Benchmark. Measuring current performance is the first step towards improving future profitability.
- Monitoring. Make sure your building is running as efficiently as possible by performing regular checks on systems and equipment. Leaky windows or ducts, uninsulated hot water tanks and pipes, poorly calibrated thermostats, and old or dirty air filters can cause energy to be wasted.
- Audit waste management. An audit of building waste can help determine if some of the material being discarded can be recycled. It will also help adjust equipment and procedures.
- Clean with green products. Make sure your housekeeping is using green products and practices throughout the building. Green cleaning can also significantly improve indoor air quality.
- Interior lighting is one of the largest controllable energy costs in a commercial building. Replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient LED bulbs, maximizing the utilization of natural light, and using automatic controls to turn off lights when spaces are not in use, are some measures that will help improve performance in this area.
- A well-crafted green lease can motivate tenants to take a leading role in energy management. Including clear guidelines and expectations in the contract allows landlords, managers, and tenants to work together to save money, conserve resources, and ensure efficient operation.
- Go further. If you already have the previous six practices in place, research what other measures you can implement to improve your building, such as the use of a graywater irrigation system, bicycle parking, installation of solar panels, among others.
