RunBrook’s Role
We can provide strategic guidance, and help as a LEED consultant, LEED AP, Green Rater and/or Energy Rater on your project. RunBrook is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and our staff has excellent credentials, including the following: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), a LEED AP for Homes, a LEED for Homes Green Rater, and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Home Energy Rater (HERS Rater).
LEED Consulting Services
Our LEED consulting services are designed for developers of commercial and residential projects who have already decided to either pursue LEED certification, or integrate parts of the standard into their design. After making this important decision, the remaining challenge is to develop a design approach that meets your green building objectives and your budget. At this stage, it is important to begin the integrative design process to confirm that your project meets all LEED prerequisites and to identify which LEED credits and pathways your team will pursue. Once this is done, your team will have to quantify project hard costs (i.e. building material and technology) and soft costs (i.e LEED consultants and LEED registration/certification). After developing your plan, it should be communicated to architects, engineers, and the trades so that each discipline is aware of their roles and responsibilities in the construction and verification process. Finally, as construction commences, you will be responsible for documenting your work so the project can be verified and evaluated by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED Accredited Professionals
At RunBrook, our qualified LEED Accredited Professionals will work with architects, mechanical engineers, lighting designers, and trades people to make sure the project is designed, executed, and certified in accordance with the owner's project requirements and budget. We will work with the project team to make sure HVAC systems are appropriately sized, that the most effective lighting systems are installed, and the building envelope tightness and insulation maximizes energy efficiency. We will also help you communicate how your efforts to build a better building add value in areas including site sustainability, use of environmentally friendly materials and resources, energy efficiency and lower tenant operating costs, and enhanced indoor air quality.
At RunBrook we can help you: (1) Develop LEED project checklists; (2) Coordinate the project team to encourage integrative design; (3) Conduct LEED compliant building energy models; (4) Provide manual J calculations to assess HVAC system size suitability; (5) Perform LEED credit documentation services; and (6) Coordinate with the USGBC.
LEED for Homes Green Rater
The LEED for Homes rating system requires working with a Green Rater as early as possible in the design and construction process. As the Green Rater on your project, RunBrook is responsible for verification of all prerequisites and credits in the LEED residential rating systems. We perform on-site verification and conduct diagnostic testing to ensure that strategies are effective.
RunBrook’s Green Raters will work with your project team and our LEED for Homes Providers to conduct third party verification of your project. We have experience working for developers and builders involved in single family home projects, residential community developments, and multifamily residential developments. Our team will work with your project's LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and the project team to communicate verification expectations. We will ensure that key inspections are coordinated properly and that project verification submissions are appropriately completed. Our green Raters and HERS Raters will: (1) Coordinate with the design team; (2) Perform pre drywall and final inspections; and (3) Manage the LEED verification submissions.
Energy or HERS Rater
The LEED for Homes rating system also requires that the project is performance tested by a qualified energy rater. As a qualified Energy Rater for your project, RunBrook conducts required performance testing, including Blower Door Testing and Duct Leakage Testing. If required or desirable, RunBrook can also conduct thermal bypass inspections, run an energy model, and perform manual J&D calculations.
LEED Provider
LEED requires that a LEED for Homes provider oversees the certification process as a whole, as well as the Green Rater's verification services. Green Insight is often a provider on RunBrook’s LEED projects, and RunBrook is a Green Insight LEED for Homes Provider Partner for the Southeastern United States.
About the USGBC and LEED
The United States Green Building Council, or "USGBC," was established by Rick Fedrizzi, David Gottfried and Mike Italiano in 1993. Their mission was to promote sustainability-focused practices in the building and construction industry. In 2000, USGBC unveiled its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or "LEED" rating system. LEED has become an international standard for environmentally sound buildings, certifying millions of square feet per day. According to the USGBC, LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient, use less water and energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
LEED can work for all buildings, at all phases of development. By earning points across several areas addressing sustainability issues, a project receives either a Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating level.
Residential projects fall under the "Leed for Homes" rating system. Under the LEED for Homes rating system, residential projects are categorized as "Homes" if the project involves a single family home or low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) building. The project is categorized as "Multifamily Midrise" if the project involves a mid-rise multi-family (four to six stories) building. Some LEED rating system requirements apply to both Homes and Multifamily Midrise projects, while other requirements vary slightly depending on the project type.
Under LEED for Homes, a project is required to have a preliminary rating meeting with a Green Rater as early as possible in the design and construction process. A qualified Energy Rater is required to verify the energy components and, for certain projects, run an energy model. In addition, a LEED for Homes Provider Organization oversees the certification process and provides quality assurance of the Green Rater's verification services.