Sustainability Services
Commissioning
SCHMIDT & STACY® Consulting Engineers, Inc. is dedicated to total building performance. Partnered with efficient design and solid construction, commissioning aids in delivering a finished product, that building owners and operators can rest assured, operates as intended. Building commissioning provides additional operating efficiency and overall greater tenant comfort. Commissioning processes have shown to provide a 10-30% reduction in energy usage and pays for itself soon after completion. Our commissioning team will walk the project team through what is best for building owners, operators, and occupants.
Types of commissioning our company can provide:
- LEED Fundamental and Enhanced Commissioning
- Title-24 Commissioning
- AEGB: Building Systems and Additional Commissioning
- IECC and local energy codes
- Federal – whole building
- Retro-Commissioning, Re-Commissioning,
- Existing Building and Ongoing Commissioning
Energy Modeling
Whole- and partial-building energy simulations can provide many benefits to the built environment. Building energy models help the design team optimize the energy efficiency of the building before the first shovel meets dirt. At a minimal level, results from energy modeling can show compliance with various building codes, including California Title 24, ASHRAE 90.1, and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In addition, the energy model can be used to make design decisions regarding the inclusion of energy efficiency measures by providing a basis for the lifecycle costing of each item or action. Strategically using an energy model can also reduce the initial costs of a building and help with utility budgeting over the life of a project.
LEED Consulting
SCHMIDT & STACY® Consulting Engineers, Inc. assists projects in reaching their LEED certification levels with several LEED accredited engineers on staff. LEED accredited professionals provide guidance and support in the process of tracking and documenting prerequisites and credits required to achieve LEED certification (certified, silver, gold, or platinum level).
NGBS Green Design & Verification
SCHMIDT & STACY® Consulting Engineers, Inc. employees National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green Verifiers through Home Innovation Research Labs who help single family and multifamily achieve the project’s sustainability and certification goals. NGBS green building certification is a recognized path to a wide range of financial benefits and gains through federal agencies, state and local jurisdictions, and through tax credits. More details on incentives are found here.
AEGB Consulting
Our team can aid projects in areas under the jurisdiction of Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) reach compliance. Our sustainability group works with project stakeholders to ensure proper documentation and verification of AEGB requirements are met to achieve the project’s anticipated rating (1-star up to 5-star rating).
Dallas Green Building Consulting
New constructions, renovations, and additions commercial and residential buildings in the city of Dallas are required to comply with the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance. We can assist projects located in Dallas in finding the suitable compliance path and provide required plan reviews and inspections.
IECC Residential & Commercial Plan Review & Inspections
Plan Review
Help project identify the most energy efficient and cost-effective compliance path. A project may comply with the IECC (2015, 2018, or 2021) using either a prescriptive path, performance path, or ASHRAE 90.1. We review plans and consult with architects and engineers to make sure all required items for compliance are included in the permit set documents.
Inspections
In many jurisdictions, energy code inspections must be performed by a third-party. Our certified and experienced staff can perform the rough-in and final energy code inspections and can help projects pass the inspections by communicating the requirements during early phases of construction.
Residential Required Testing (Blower Door, Duct Testing, etc.)
Whether it is a single-family home, townhome, or a multifamily building 3 stories and less (4 stories and less in certain jurisdictions), testing air leakage through the thermal envelope and duct systems are mandatory for compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). A qualified RESNET HERS Rater reviews design documents and conducts diagnosis of the building during early construction phases to help prepare the building/ dwelling units for successful testing. We help educate the general contractor and subcontractors on best practices that are key to passing the blower door and airside testing required by IECC and/or other green building programs.
Fitwel & WELL Consulting
The health of the occupants of any space is integral to successful design. Fitwel and WELL Building are certification programs focusing on the health and well-being of the occupants. SCHMIDT & STACY ® Consulting Engineers helps our customers achieve occupant wellness goals through these two systems.
Fitwel:
Fitwel is a certification created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and General Services Agency (GSA) that provides a framework for the welfare of building occupants. Fitwel uses evidence-based design and operational strategies that optimize and safeguard the wellness of building occupants.
WELL Building:
WELL Building certification is a program started by the International Well Building Institute to help standardize practices across the commercial real estate industry for healthy buildings. WELL utilizes a framework with 10 concepts to focus on maintaining and improving the overall health and well-being of building occupants. The certification is performance based, meaning that to receive the certification, the attempted features must be measured and recorded by a third party. Not only does the WELL certification provide an enhanced environment for building occupants, but it also allows for a higher ESG portfolio score for the parent company.