By Steve Rizer
Soon there may be a significantly greater demand for those professionals who can help optimize a building’s performance over the long term. Why? Because on Nov. 13, a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) rule will go into effect to require verified energy and water performance for new and retrofitted federal buildings that are certified by private-sector green building certification systems.
The rule, which DOE issued Oct. 10, ensures that in cases where agencies choose to use green building certification systems to meet federal sustainability and energy standards, they must choose a system that verifies enhanced energy and water efficiency. By requiring re-assessments at least every four years, the rule is designed to ensure that energy and water savings continue well beyond an initial building opening or retrofit.
In addition, DOE’s rule provides that rating systems used by the federal government must, among other criteria:
- Allow assessors and auditors to independently verify the criteria and measurement metrics of the system.
- Be developed by a certification organization that provides an opportunity for public comment on the system and provides an opportunity for development and revision of the system through a consensus-based process.
- Be nationally recognized within the building industry.
The ConstructionPro Network member version of this article includes additional details about the new rule and some early reaction to it.
