Energy efficiency was a key priority for the design. Although this tenant improvement space was not a candidate for renewable energy, it was able to reduce its energy use considerably with efficient lighting, plug load monitoring, EneryStar appliances, and efficient mechanical systems.

Commissioning

Commissioning was performed to ensure that the built systems were operating per the Basis of Design and Owner's Project Requirements and that no energy was wasted through operational errors. The summary of commissioning activities can be found here.

For more information on commissioning see this article.

OPTIMIZE ENERGY PERFORMANCE

The office reduced its energy use (per the LEED baseline, ASHRAE 90.1-2010) by 24% through efficient equipment, reduced plug loads, high-tech lighting, daylight harvesting, energy star appliances, and a focus on thermal comfort. The energy model was performed using EnergyPro. The energy source is 100% electric. LED lighting was used to improve lighting efficiency by 55%.

Learn more about LED lighting.

Savings of up to 38% were seen for cooling due in part to Therma Fuser VAV Diffuser Controls.

The team performed a Net Zero Energy (NZE) study to see if 100% of the energy used by the Summit Foundation could be offset on-site. With extensive gardens on the roof it was hard to find space for solar panels, however, the project can upgrade the base building lighting to completely offset their own energy use.

Learn more about NZE Certification.

Energy Metering

The project pursued the LEED Credit Option 1: 

"The project has permanently-installed, tenant-level energy meters that account for all sources of energy delivered to the project and represent total tenant energy consumption."

GREEN POWER

Green Power (renewable energy credit) was purchased through 3Degrees. 37 MtCO2e was offset through the McKinney Landfill Gas Methane Capture Offset Project in Dallas, Texas (shown below). These are Green-e Certified carbon offsets.