An Ounce of Performance is Worth Pounds of Promises

Have you heard the saying, "Being first is not always best"? The same can be said for being new. There are many instances of new products and services that have failed miserably…New Coke, Blackberry PlayBook and Windows Vista come to mind. In some cases, people wait for the next best thing while others return to the tried-and-true. 

We also see this happen in the energy efficiency and conservation industry when a new building does not meet performance expectations. Whether it is a school, fire station or office, a new building is a symbol of growth, expansion and success. But in today's environmentally-conscious world, it should also symbolize energy efficiency and sustainability leadership.

However, what happens if the new building turns out to have continuous maintenance problems and energy bills higher than one built 20 years earlier? What should be an energy-saving showplace can quickly turn into an uncomfortable work environment, money drain, and embarrassment.

It is way too common for schools, or any other entity for that matter, to build a new facility and it is the worst performing school in the district. The reasons are many:

• Too complicated 
• Never properly commissioned 
• Energy efficiency was “value engineered” out 
• Most importantly, no single entity is accountable. The architect points the finger at the engineer, who points it at the mechanical contractor, who points it at the controls contractor, who points it at the engineer, who points it at the budget, and so on. 

How can you prevent this from happening? 

The truth is, while everyone wants a green school or eco-friendly office, it takes a commitment from all parties involved to make it happen. Establishing and implementing aggressive energy performance goals during the design and construction of new commercial buildings is important to achieving those goals over the lifetime of the building. We have worked with more than 27 school districts throughout Texas on energy savings projects and these are the top five things to consider when constructing a new building:

1. Preserve the budget for energy efficiency: Typically the first things to get cut are the things that will save you the most in the long run.
2. Staff: Don’t design systems that are unique and complicated if your staff is accustomed to simple and straightforward.
3. Demand robust commissioning: The most common culprit in any new building being an energy waster is the system not operating as it was designed.
4. Training: Today’s energy saving buildings can be complicated, and your staff needs the knowledge to master their new tools, not be overwhelmed by them.
5. Make someone accountable: Structure your project in such a way that finger-pointing is impossible. Design-build is a good option if you have a good contractor. 

At the end of the day, it comes down to results. Are your students or employees comfortable? Does your HVAC equipment work like it should? Did your contractor deliver? Although an unlikely source, we think this quote from Mae West sums it up perfectly: "An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises."