Redefining corporate real estate by quantifying building energy performance

Abstract

The concept of sustainability — living and creating in a way that ensures the world and its resources can be sustained in the long term — is not new. But sustainability as a fundamental part of the corporate world, and the corporate real estate world specifically, is indeed revolutionary. The trend is being spurred by numerous motivating factors including the environment, health, social responsibility and financial performance. High-efficiency buildings are becoming some of the most highly valued and viable ones on the market, due to the cost-savings offered to tenants. Owners who invest in green buildings and the energy-efficient features that define them are able to differentiate their properties in a highly competitive market, and those who go the extra step to quantify the energy savings provided by their buildings stand to benefit even more. It is crucial to understand a building's position in the corporate lease environment in order to effectively market its value among competitors. Energy Star and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE's) Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) programs are excellent tools for quantifying performance and cost-savings. By proactively measuring their buildings’ performance and marketing their value to tenants, owners and managers are taking the necessary steps to successfully compete in an increasingly green-focused corporate world.