LEED Volume Program: Cost Effective Method for Certifying a Large Number of LEED Buildings

USGBC came up with a smart solution for large volume organizations and companies that are large users of LEED. The LEED Volume Program was developed to offer a cost effective method that leverages uniformity in design and maintains the integrity of LEED standards. In lieu of certifying per building, LEED Volume Program offers organizations the option to create a prototype design that is then pre-certified and can be applied to certify like buildings and spaces throughout their building portfolios. Since the program is based on design uniformity, buildings in any geographical area are eligible for certification.

The LEED Volume Program was conceptualized in 2006 and officially launched at the Greenbuild 2010 Conference & Expo in Chicago. The process begins with interested companies applying to USGBC to use the LEED Volume Program. Once in the program, companies have access to services and online tools that help facilitate prototype development. The next step is creation of a prototype which is basically the design and plan for future volume projects to adhere to, providing sustainable design features and protocol. Once the prototype is approved, work can begin on all volume projects. Needless to say, this drastically reduces per building certification costs as the quantity of projects increases. To ensure these projects maintain the LEED standards, Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will conduct random audits of a percentage of projects. This phase is referred to as "ongoing certification".

The LEED Volume Program reinforces USGBC's commitment to provide smart and cost effective solutions to large users of LEED. The benefits of sustainable construction have a huge impact that includes better performing buildings that save energy and reduce operating costs as well as reduce harmful environmental impact. Using the LEED Volume Program's streamlined certification process companies can take advantage of lower cost for LEED while still reaping the advantages that come with building sustainable buildings.

Gabriele Medley-Harry

Director of Sustainable Construction

HICAPS, Inc.

HICAPS Continues to Grow!

Tim Spangler, PE

Tim Spangler recently joined the HICAPS Team as Director of Building Diagnostics and Senior Project Manager in Federal Contracting. For over 20 years, Tim was a partner in a general construction company in Greensboro, specializing in manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment plant construction.

Tim graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a degree in civil engineering and served ten years active duty in the Coast Guard, in civil engineering assignments on both coasts. He completed his Coast Guard career in the reserves, retiring a captain in 2004. He plans to increase the marketing outreach for our building diagnostics services as we grow that area of HICAPS’ expertise.

The father of three grown children, Tim enjoys relaxing at the beach with his wife, Susan, or fixing up his 1910-era farmhouse in the mountains.

HICAPS is certified by the State of Tennessee as a Service Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE) Small Business

Greensboro, NC – June 01, 2011 – HICAPS, INC. (www.hicaps.com) has been certified as a State of Tennessee Service Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE) by the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise. The purpose of this program is to foster growth of minority, woman, small, and Service-Disabled Veteran owned businesses who are seeking procurement opportunities in the State of Tennessee.

HICAPS is a VETBIZ Federally verified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, a North Carolina certified HUB firm and is a licensed general contractor in the State of Tennessee. HICAPS is presently the Prime Contractor for a $1.3M Pharmacy Renovation project for the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Murfreesboro, TN.

“HICAPS is extremely excited to announce this certification in the State of Tennessee. HICAPS strives to provide a level of service that exceeds our customer’s expectations. This certification will provide an additional value-add to our customers who wish to utilize State of Tennessee certified small business sub-contractors,” HICAPS Vice President and Co-Founder, Wayne McGee, stated.

Making Smart Choices for a Sustainable Project

Green or Sustainable construction is a hot button topic these days. In our blog discussion on making choices that make $ense, solar options seem to be a more and more popular choice today for a renewable energy source. As always we are a proponent of planning. In the planning stage you will determine if this is the right option for your project and budget. Doing your homework will save you time and money later in the project. Below are good steps to follow as a rule of thumb to ensure solar is right for your project.

STEP 1 - FEASIBILITY:

·    Feasibility analysis – Be sure this will fit the OPR (Owners Project Requirements)

·    Preliminary proposal – Pricing is another key component

STEP 2 - FINANCING:

·    Available incentives (tax credits, accelerated depreciation, state and utility solar rebates)

·    Financing options, if needed (e.g. leases and power purchase agreements)

·   Non-tax based incentives: Incentives offered through local power companies.

STEP 3 - SITE PLANNING AND DESIGN:

·     System Design-Have a strategy in place

·     Project planning: Working with all parties involved in the project (perspective and feedback)

·     Analysis, scheduling and planning-tools

STEP 4 - PROCUREMENT AND INSTALLATION

·     Procurement of materials-Do some investigating and pricing

·     Solar Panel Installation-Use reputable firms with the qualifications to do the project

·      Inspections

·     System commissioning and testing

STEP 5 - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

·     Training of facilities personnel (system monitoring and maintenance)

·     Administration and execution of all warranty coverage

·     Field service and technical support, if required

Following these steps and knowing what the ROI (Return on Investment) will be, eliminates the unknown and unpleasant surprises. A significant portion of the commercial solar system's cost is paid for by taking advantage of state rebates, incentives and the 30 percent federal solar tax credit / grant and accelerated depreciation which makes this a good time to consider going solar if it fits.

Gabriele Medley-Harry, LEED AP BD&C

Director of Sustainable Construction

HICAPS, Inc.

Budgeting Methodology for Sustainable Construction

Time and time again the topic of “How much more does it cost to build sustainable buildings?” has come up. This is a tricky question. Whether it is a sustainable building or not, ultimately the cost of construction will be determined by the choices we make and why we make them. The dynamics of a building are crucial. Business models have a huge impact on what our expectations and goals will be. I would like to address several topics in the next few blogs that relate to various factors in sustainable construction. The first is along the lines of Planning and Scheduling. This is a core capability of our firm here at HICAPS. We live by this rule. It is amazing how this relates to so many things in life.

First and foremost, you need to make decisions for the right reasons. If it makes sense to focus on energy cost savings, then of course you would make choices that would achieve that goal. Therefore it is necessary to understand and establish the project goals, including specific goals. For example if you are designing and constructing a LEED building, the first step is to fill out the LEED checklist. This will enable the team to clearly understand the project goals and expectations. The next step is to have a cost model that will align your budget to these goals. This clearly defines the project budget and communicates to the team budget limitations. Once you establish your cost model and allocate funds to achieve the goals set by your project, stay on track throughout the entire project. To do this, documentation should start as early as possible in the project. Update and monitor your checklist on a regular basis so you have clear understanding of how the sustainable goals are being met. Use energy and cost models as design tools. Cost models will allow you to track cost impact from any necessary changes in design or procedures as the project progresses.

Gabriele Medley-Harry, LEED AP BD&C

Director of Sustainable Construction

HICAPS, Inc.

HICAPS, Inc. along with teaming partners Hoffman Building Technologies and George White Consulting are pleased to begin the installation of advanced utility meters at the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, TX. This is the first of six other VA medical centers and five National Cemeteries within Veteran’s Integrated Service Network 18 where we are designing and installing advanced steam, chilled water, irrigation, potable water, and natural gas meters that will remotely communicate data to a national repository. We are pleased to be part of the VA’s energy management efforts in helping improve their capability of measuring their energy consumption within a percentage of their over 5,000 owned buildings and 150 million gross square feet nationwide.