[Greenbuilding] [BULK] LEED Commissioning Payback Time

[Lawrence Lile]

Let's get some terms defined:

"Commissioning" is a process of adjusting mechanical and electrical
systems so that they work like they are designed to. There are two steps
in commissioning inside the LEED process, one mandatory and one
optional. 

LEED application process includes commissioning, as well as several
other steps, many of which are optional.  Any of these steps can be
evaluated on its own merits. 

I am not sure but I get the feeling that you may be getting these two
concepts confused??


Commissioning (Adjusting and documenting the mechanical systems) is
expensive, but typically saves 5% to 15% of the building's energy costs
per year.  This info is from the LEED AP Handbook, I believe, although I
can't cite a page number right now.  

LEED application process can add a marginal amount to the building's
up-front cost - it can be as low as zero, and as high as you want.
Many, many LEED building owners have achieved LEED certification at
various levels for 1% to 5% of the building's first cost. 

Many of the LEED credits have a life cycle cost payback to the building
owner, in other words they are wise investments.  Say you spend some
money reducing the building's energy use by 50% - that might be worth
spending a lot of money up front.  Say you install a well controlled
HVAC system that can introduce high quality, filtered outdoor air, which
has been shown to increase worker productivity by reducing the
transmission of the cold virus through AC systems and air currents and
increasing comfort.  How much would that extra productivity be worth to
your organization?  Potentially tens of thousands.  

Many other LEED credits have a payback to the community, so they may not
make sense in a strict economic sense, but in a community context they
are still wise investments.  



 
 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Amy
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 11:09 AM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] LEED Commissioning Payback Time
Importance: Low

Does anyone know that buyback or payback period for the cost of 
commissioning on a LEED project?  Is there an average for different 
ranges of construction cost....

I'm trying to make the case for a town to pursue LEED certification for 
their new Town Hall which is also going to be the first building to 
employ the green building strategies that will soon be required as part 
of their pattern book for future growth in the town. However, the 
planning commision is concerned with the additional cost of commisioning

involved with LEED certification.  It's only a 9,000sf bldg. and 
commissioning proposals are on average 1.5% of construction costs, but 
they feel like thats a lot of money for the LEED name.  However, if they

thought that there is evidence to support a buyback period inside 25 
years.  They are willing to provide the additional funds.

Any facts, figures or suggesstions...

Thanks,

Amy Ferns,  LEED AP
Torchio Architects, Inc.
354 Pennsylvania Avenue
Centreville, Maryalnd 21617
P: (410) 758-1000
F: (410) 758-1002
W: www.torchioarchitects.com
E: amy at torchioarchitects.com

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