Maximize Your Current Building Assets: Leveraging Certifications as a Strategy

On a recent business trip to Brazil, I stood on the roof of my hotel, gazing out at the dense skyline of downtown São Paulo. Buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, creating a cityscape where the horizon was obscured by concrete and glass, each structure striving to stand taller than the last. It wasn’t until I reviewed my photos that I fully grasped the sheer number of buildings, each alive, operating, and consuming energy.

Existing buildings represent a massive opportunity—and challenge—in reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. As our stock of existing facilities continues to grow, the question remains: how are we addressing the need to decarbonize these assets?

The green building industry is keenly aware of this opportunity. Just as third-party validation programs emerged 30 years ago to enhance design and construction, there’s now a resurgence of certification programs to improve sustainability in existing buildings worldwide. Building owners and operators are paying attention, seeking structured ways to set, measure, and achieve sustainability goals.

The Case for Certification

Owners and operators have always sought ways to enhance their buildings—optimizing operations, reducing utility costs, improving indoor environmental quality, or enhancing occupant comfort. However, navigating the variety of existing building certifications can be daunting. BranchPattern guides building owners and operators through this landscape, leveraging our deep expertise in sustainable building operations to help you make informed decisions, driving performance and efficiency improvements.

Understanding Green Building Certification Options

Green building certifications are tools to help measure and achieve a building’s sustainability goals, ranging from boosting energy efficiency to improving occupant well-being to reducing environmental impact. Below, we explore some of the most widely recognized certifications for existing buildings.

1. LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED O+M)

LEED, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is one of the most recognized green building certifications. The LEED O+M program is tailored specifically for existing buildings and focuses on optimizing building operations, reducing environmental impacts, and enhancing indoor environments. Key areas include energy performance, water efficiency, transportation, sustainable purchasing, waste management, indoor air quality, and green cleaning.Why Choose LEED O+M?
LEED O+M provides a comprehensive framework for facility managers looking to benchmark and improve building operations. Its rigorous review of a building’s operational practices and utility bills offers a clear roadmap to enhance sustainability.

2. ENERGY STAR Certification

Managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR is a prominent and highly regarded certification focused on energy efficiency. Though traditionally centered on energy performance, ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager tool also allows for tracking water and waste metrics. (stay tuned for ENERGY STAR NextGen)Why Choose ENERGY STAR?
For buildings where energy efficiency is the primary focus, ENERGY STAR offers a straightforward, cost-effective certification process that helps benchmark performance and identify improvement opportunities. Portfolio Manager is a particularly valuable platform used for existing building compliance with Building Performance Standards (BPS)/ Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) mandates.

3. WELL Building Standard

Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the WELL Building Standard focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. WELL certification assesses how building features impact human health, considering factors such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.Why Choose WELL?
For those prioritizing occupant well-being, WELL provides a robust framework that goes beyond traditional sustainability metrics to create spaces that actively support health and wellness.

4. Fitwel Certification

Originally developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA), Fitwel promotes healthier workplace environments to improve occupant health and productivity. Key areas of focus include enhancing occupant health through design and operational strategies, evidence-based criteria that impact health, such as physical activity, mental health support, and occupant safety, and a flexible scoring system that allows for incremental improvements.Why Choose Fitwel?
Fitwel is an excellent choice for those seeking a practical and accessible approach to improving occupant health. Its flexibility allows buildings to achieve certification at different levels, making it a versatile option for a wide range of facilities.

5. BREEAM In-Use

Developed in the UK, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) In-Use is a program used internationally to assess the sustainability of existing buildings, including criteria for energy, water, materials, waste, and health and well-being.Why Choose BREEAM In-Use?
Ideal for facility managers managing global portfolios, BREEAM In-Use offers a consistent sustainability assessment across different geographic regions.

6. Other

It should be noted that the above list is not comprehensive. Numerous certifications acknowledged by GRESB accomplish similar or unique goals that may be relevant to your building improvement goals. If these certifications don’t fully address your needs, there are also frameworks and assessments that can help guide your improvements, like GRESB.

How BranchPattern Can Help

Choosing the right certification requires understanding each program’s nuances and how they align with your operational goals. BranchPattern’s holistic approach combines technical expertise with a passion for creating more efficient buildings that enhance occupant quality of life.

Our services include:

• Assessment and Strategy Development: We evaluate your building’s performance and help identify the best certification path.
• Implementation Support: From energy audits to indoor air quality assessments, we provide technical support to meet certification requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Achieving certification is just the beginning. We help you maintain and enhance your building’s performance over time.

Conclusion

Green building certifications are more than just accolades; they are proven mechanisms to improve building operations and occupant well-being. Don’t let the variety of options overwhelm you. BranchPattern is here to guide you through the process, turning your building into a benchmark of sustainability and performance. Together, we can maximize the potential of your existing assets.