Energy Ace to offer the first LEED guarantee

With cities mandating LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for public, and even private buildings, in growing numbers, an Atlanta-based sustainability consulting firm is hoping to ease anxieties over meeting those goals with the industryÂ’s first Green Guaranteed.

Energy Ace is guaranteeing LEED certification on projects where the firm is able to oversee LEED administration, Fundamental Commissioning and Energy Modeling, and where the project team is committed to LEED success.

According to a study conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction, a building’s value increases by almost 8%, return on investment improves approximately 7% and occupancy grows more than 3% when ‘green’ is a part of the equation. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) projects that commercial green construction starts will grow approximately 10% in 2010, despite the general decline in construction.

“There is a lot at stake when you commit to constructing with LEED, and it is not an instantaneous certification. A building must be well designed and constructed before it can achieve that LEED credential cost-effectively,” said Wayne Robertson, President of Energy Ace. “The process can take 2 to 3 years. That’s a lengthy period, and one in which many activities are happening simultaneously. It boils down to ‘what are the expectations’ and ‘who is responsible.’ With our Guarantee, we’re taking the reins from day one, and leading that charge until the certification is met.”

According to the USGBC, 43 states, 190 localities and 12 federal agencies or departments have initiatives that include LEED certification. Among the cities reviewing mandates is Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta votes this month on an environmental program covering site development, water efficiency, energy, indoor environmental quality, as well as a look at the buildingÂ’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources.

Across the country, more than 21,000 projects are currently registered for LEED with the USGBC. While legal action to date has been rare, the ground for litigation was broken in 2008, when a Maryland developer sued his contractor when the building failed to achieve LEED Silver certification.

“Mandate enacting sustainability requirements will rise. Achieving the higher level of standards takes knowledgeable leadership to ensure those requirements are met and implemented correctly, and at least cost,” said Robertson. “No one wants to fail. We know Energy Ace is able to provide superior work and service, and are ready to back that claim by guaranteeing our work.”