GO GREEN / LEED Consulting

Is the building you own or manage sustainable?
Do you set goals/baselines for energy and water  reductions and savings?

2B Green World, a sustainable consulting company specializing in Existing Commercial Buildings (EB), improves clients assets (commercial buildings) through implementing sustainable operations & maintenance (O&M) practices which raises Net Operating Income (NOI) through reducing operating expenditures, adding building value and/or savings to the tenants.  Building value is created by taking the projects realized savings over a 12 month time period (starting directly after implementing sustainable practices) and dividing the Annual Savings by the Capitalization (“Cap”) Rate (Annual Dollar Savings / Cap Rate).

Marketing your building improves becasuse of implementing “Green”/Sustainable practices and demonstrating factual evidence on “Green” changes and explaining their realized benefits.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certification for Existing Buildings (EB):  Operations & Maintenance (O&M), is the most popular “Green”/Sustainable certification program in the World.  The US Government mandates all their New Construction (NC) projects be LEED Certified and any buildings the Government leases/rents – the building must be LEED Certified or they will vacate their space to find a building that is LEED Certified!

Building Owner’s who have a Government Agency leasing space from you be careful and get your building LEED Certified before they leave when their lease is up!  Getting your building LEED Certified to save your Government tenants is a small cost compared to the amount of rent that Government Agency is paying you to rent space!

Call 2B Green World to find out how to get your building LEED Certified
(813) 964-7336

“Going Green” has many benefits and will create savings for building owners:

1. Reduces Energy & Water usage/expense
2. Lowers Operating Expenses,
   
3. Improves Marketing ability
4. Improves Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for building occupants
5. Increases Recycling Program
6. Track & Document Sustainable Operations

Be Smart, Do Your Part – Go Green Today!

2B Green World – (813) 964 – 7336

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Most industries have heard of the acronym LEED, standing for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.  The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED in 1996 as a way building owners can follow sustainable practices and reap the benefits of being green.

2B Green World is a LEED Consulting company specializing in Existing Building (EB) Certification.  The EB market is so large and robust that it consumes about 35% of the energy use in the USA!  That’s a lot of energy…and money!

2B Green World specializes in creating value for clients by reducing their assets energy and water use and implementing sustainable practices.  Reducing energy and water consumption saves a lot of money – 1 building 2B Green World worked on saved over $225,000 in 2010 vs. 2009 energy costs!  That equates to an annual reduction of 18% for the buildings energy use!  We also save about 2,500,000 gallons of water from retrofitting plumbing fixtures and fittings as well as installing water softener for the cooling towers, saving about $20,000/year in water costs!  This same building, 100 North Tampa, also recycles about 75,000 pounds every month, or 900,000 pounds per year!

100 North Tampa

This picture of 100 North Tampa, with Bryan Lauer (me) and Calvin Buikema.  Cal is the Senior Property Manager for the building and I am the LEED Consultant for 100 North Tampa.

Bottom Line – LEED Certification saves money, creates building value, enhances the assets features and is another “Arrow in the Marketing Quiver”. 

We improve buildings “Triple Bottom Line”

- People, Planet and Profit -

The People are in a more environmentally friendly place, there is better indoor air quality, no chemicals used, environmentally friendly products used for a healthier work environment.
The Planet is improved because we use less energy and water, and recycle more.
Profits have been realized by the reductions of energy and water use.

LEED is the present and future, find out more about LEED Certification for Existing Buildings (EB) today by calling 813.96 GREEN (47336)

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

LEED Certification?  You have to of heard the acronym “LEED” before, maybe even more than you care for, however LEED is the World’s most recognized “Green”/Sustainable Certification Program.  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the number 1 way to demonstrate your sustainable efforts and accomplishments.

LEED Certification is good for so many reasons:

• Improve Marketing Ability
• Increase Building Value by Reducing Resources (Energy, Water) Usage
• Improve and Expand Recycling Program
• Improve Indoor Air Quality by Using “Green” Products
• Implement “Best Practices” According to the USGBC (United States Green Building Council – the creators of LEED)
• Document, and Track Sustainable Efforts & LEED “Credits”

What is wrong with the Tampa Bay Area?  The Tampa Bay Rays are great but they have the lowest attendance of fans in the Major League!  Why is that?  Is something in the water that makes Tampa Bayians lazy?

I have worked on about a dozen large office buildings in Florida and all buildings have saved enough money by reducing energy and water usage to pay for all the costs of Consulting and LEED Fees within 1 – 2 years!

2B Green World – 3 LEED EB Case Studies Cost Savings

2BGW – LEED EB Projects Energy Savings Equivalents

But I can’t even give away my services to building owners!  One building owner has an older building that spends about $4.50/square foot for electricity!  Typically buildings should spend about $1.50-$2.00/square foot!
I proposed to work on that building and 2 others for free up front but share a percentage of the energy savings realized at all 3 projects over a 5 year term. 

Can you believe they said “NO”?

Can someone help me out with getting new business for my sustainability company – 2B Green World?  Our projects “Payback” within 1-2 years, typically, and my fees are reasonable and willing to do small up front fee and share a % of energy savings over 2-7 years!

There are tangible and intangible benefits to LEED.
The tangible benefits are savings money, retrofitting light bulbs to less wattage/longer lasting/etc., changing faucet aerators to less GPM (Gallon Per Minute) 2.5GPM to 0.5GPM = 2 Gallons Per Minute Savings!
The intangible benefits are harder or almost impossible to calculate:  Improving Indoor Air Quality leading to higher productivity of building occupants, having direct lines of site to sunlight and optimal lighting conditions improve occupants productivity levels, using better quality Air Filters to capture more dust particles improve air quality and all examples lead to less sick days of occupants as well.  As you can see, the intangible benefits are harder to calculate and justify.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World, a consulting firm specializing in LEED Certification, has been awarded 2 LEED projects in Taiwan.  1 is a LEED Commercial Interior (CI) certification and the other is New Construction (NC) certification.  The CI is for the HQ of Multiflow Corp. and the NC is a  Hospital project.

These 2 LEED projects are the first of many with the connections and lack of LEED consultants in Asia.  We are excited to be entering this market and hope more opportunities will come from it.

To see a picture of the Hospital LEED NC project, click here – LEED NC Hospital Project, Taiwan

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Written by:  Barbara O’Brien

The built environment is an important aspect of human life. Our way of life would not exist without construction of some sort. There have been many advances in construction throughout history. However, with these quick advances, many risks have arisen. As problems have arisen, solutions have been offered up. It seems that what a building is constructed of is just as important as where and how it is constructed. Accounting for both health and environmental risk are important in the construction of new buildings. Building with eco-friendly factors in mind helps to alleviate stress on the environment as well as harm to the human body.
Where a building is built is of importance, because the ecology of the area directly contributes to the health of those within the environment. Not only can eco-friendly construction help protect the environment that contains the building, but it also helps increase the cost efficiency of the building itself. Being sensitive to the local environment promotes health as well. In order for there to be a possibility of locally obtained materials, sustainable growth of the environment must be achieved. Setting aside areas to grow in abundance can increase the amount of local resources that are available. Utilization of locally grown timber and other materials reduces building costs and can increase local commerce. Furthermore, utilizing local businesses can increase production and the need for labor, which in the long run raises the standard of living, increasing the overall health of the community.
How a building is constructed is important as well. If a building is designed with efficiency in mind, it will be much more cost effective, and will produce less waste. A building designed from the beginning with green ideas in mind reduces cost by utilizing waste saving strategies. Onsite water treatment as well as collecting rainwater for use in gardens is much more efficient than simply wasting the local water supply. The sources of light can also reduce cost. Designing a building to allow natural light to come in and automatically adjusting lights powered by solar panels will dramatically decrease power consumption.
What a building is constructed of, though, provides not only cost and environmental benefits, but also health benefits. Non-toxic and lead free paints are important to the health of the occupants. Lead has been shown to adversely affect all parts of the body if it gets into the system. Also the use of cellulose or recyclable insulation as opposed to insulation created from asbestos fibers can decrease health risks. Asbestos found in products such as insulation, piping, and tiling can all lead to a type of cancer known as Mesothelioma.

Barbara O’Brien

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World, a LEED Consulting Company, led the way for Island Center and Waterford Plaza (located on Rocky Point in Tampa, FL) to be awarded the prestigious LEED Certification for Existing Buildings (EB).

2B Green World was the LEED (EB) Consultant for both projects, conducting the building commissioning/engineering work that is part of LEED (EB) Certification.

Nearly every story has a dream-like picture perfect water view, proudly standing highest on the small island of Rocky Point, looking over both Tampa, to the East, and Clearwater to the West.

Island Center & Waterford Plaza Highlights

• Each comprise roughly of 250,000 square feet;
• Energy Star ratings in the high 80′s, low 90′s (10th Percentile)
• Energy efficient improvements implemented with estimated Return On Investment (ROI) outlined
• Water efficiency upgrades/retrofits reduce demand on water, energy for water pumps and prolong pipes and attached parts
• Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) makes for cleaner/healthier atmosphere leading to more productive/happy/healthy occupants
• Increased recycling efforts include everything from paper, plastic, toner cartridges, electronics, furniture and demolition waste
• Cleaning company uses environmentally-friendly products roughly 70-80%, by cost, of the time

To see more about these LEED Existing Building (EB) projects, please visit 2B Green World’s website here

For more information, please email Bryan Lauer at Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Take our short survey, below.
Are you interested in using a web-based online tool to track LEED EB requirements for your building, or portfolio of buildings and create reports based on the information being tracked?
If so, then take our short survey to find out more -

Popularity: 1% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

“Energy Star“, often heard in today’s “Green Industrial Boom”, is a tool used in many different areas but has 1 main goal – to help save & reduce energy use.
You can purchase Energy Star rated products, like computers, printers, fridgerators, washing machines, etc. and typically save 30% energy use vs. the standard product.

Energy Star can also be used to track buildings energy performance on an ongoing basis.  Their website can be used to setup a “Portfolio Manager” Tool, giving users the ability to review multiple buildings under one portfolio.

In Energy Star, you can track the following types of buildings:

• Offices
• Bank/Financial Institutions
• Courthouses
• Data Center
• K-12 Schools
• Hospitals (Acute Care and Children’s)
• Hotels
• Retail Stores
• Supermarkets
• Senior Care Facility
• Residence Halls/Dormitories
• Warehouses
• Medical Offices
• Wastewater Facilities
• House of Worship

2B Green World, a consulting firm specializing in sustainability and LEED EB certification, will help you get setup into EnergyStar.

Please email us at Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com to find out more about getting your project setup into Energy Star.

2B Green World is a proud partner with Energy Star

Energy Star Parnter Logo

Popularity: 2% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Bryan Lauer, LEED AP & Owner of 2B Green World

Bryan Lauer, LEED AP, specializes in Existing Buildings (EB) LEED Certification and sustainability for buildings.  Bryan owns 2B Green World – a consulting company specializing in sustainability and LEED Existing Building (EB) Certification.

Bryan is a LEED Consultant based in Tampa, FL.  Bryan has worked on projects around Florida but capable to help certify a building/project anywhere in the World.

We create a “win-win” with clients by creating value, improving sustainable efforts, and lessening liability.  Please view our website to find out more information or call 813.96 GREEN (47336).

Popularity: 2% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World (2BGW), a consulting firm specializing in LEED certification for Existing Buildings (EB), has developed a step-by-step process for clients to go through the LEED EB Certification process. 2BGWs – “LEED EB Green Guide” (name of software), takes users through the LEED EB certification process in a user-friendly way.


The program is in its final stages before going public.  We are expected to go live in the 3rd Quarter of 2011.  If you are interested in being in the BETA program please email us – Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

“We have developed an effective and efficient process for building owners to obtain LEED (EB) Certification”, says Bryan Lauer, Owner of 2B Green World.  “Now anyone has the ability to gauge their project(s) achieving LEED EB Certification.”

“This is a do-it-yourself program that guides you and the ‘Team’, step-by-step, from start to finish, allowing users to keep costs down, and go at their own pace. You can also email a help-center for questions and clarifications.

The initial LEED EB certification process should take anywhere from 1,500 – 2,500 hours, between all Team members. Team members consist of:

* Project Contact/Coordinator – “LEED Project Manager”
* Project Vendors/Contractors:

1. Landscaper
2. Pest Control
3. Window Washer
4. Cleaning Company
5. Light Bulb Supplier
6. Contractor for “build-outs”
7. Recycling – Durable Goods and Ongoing Consumables
8. Waste/Landfill Management
9. HVAC vendors
10. Chiller – Chemical Management Vendor
11. And all other vendors related to the project building(s)
*  TenantsVisitorsProperty Management & Operations Teams
*  LEED EB Green Guide

The step-by-step process easily guides users through all 4 Phases of LEED Certification:

* Phase I – LEED EB Feasibility Study
* Phase II – LEED EB Implementation/Application Submission
* Phase III – LEED EB Final Review/Application Submission
* Phase IV – LEED EB: Ongoing Tracking & Implementation

Email or Call us today to find out more about how you can LEED (EB) certify projects on your own – 813-964-7336 or Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

The step-by-step process was developed for the primary project contact and team members to work on “Task Items”, taking on average 10 – 45 minutes to complete. This allows the Team to complete multiple tasks in one sitting or day, moving the project forward easily.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World has been awarded 3 Office Buildings in Doral/Miami, FL.  Westside Plaza 1, 2 & 3 are located near Miami International Airport (MIA) in Doral, FL.  Each project is 4-stories, between 108,00 – 160,000 rentable square feet.

Westside Plaza

The projects have started the Feasibility Study, or “GAP” Analysis.  The Study should take between 10-16 weeks until we decide to move forward with LEED Existing Building (EB) Certification.

All 3 projects have respectable Energy Star ratings, due to the Property Management Team – Grubb & Ellis – being proactive with their sustainability goals and initiatives.  Grubb & Ellis has been implementing sustainable initiatives since 2007.  They are now implementing LEED requirements to improve the buildings performance and quality even more.

2B Green World has completed other LEED EB projects in the area.  2525 Ponce de Leon and 2555 Ponce de Leon are located in the heart of Coral Gables.  2525 is nearly 300,000 square feet and 2525, built in 2953 and historic, is nearly 115,000 gross square feet.

2525 received LEED EB Gold Certification in late 2010

2525 Ponce de Leon

2555 received LEED EB Silver Certification in late 2010.

2555 Ponce de Leon

2B Green World is a consulting company specializing in LEED certification for Existing Buildings (EB).  View our website and LEED projects here -
2B Green World – LEED EB Projects

Popularity: 2% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

DOWNLOAD MY LEED EB CASE STUDY PRESENTATION HERE -
2B GREEN WORLD Case Studies Presentation March 2011

March 10, 2011, Edison College in Fort Myers, FL, is hosting an all day speaking session on LEED Project Case Studies around South-West Florida. The agenda is below

• 9:30 – 10:30am – Topic:  “Sustainability on a Residential Scale – Personal Home”, Pual Shahriari, Director of Sustainable Strategy, SmartBIM
• 11:00 – 12:00pm – Topic:  “Sustainability on a District Wide Scale – Efforts of an Entire School District to do the Right Thing”, by Karen Bryant, Recycling Coordinator, District School Board of Pasco County
• 12:00 – 1:00pm – Lunch
• 1:00 – 2:00pm – Topic:  “Hope Hospice LeHigh, LEED NC Silver”, by Case McConnell Neurock, LEED AP – BD&C, NEUGREEN, LLC
• 2:30 – 3:30pm – Topic:  “Conversion of 1930′s Era Grocery Store to a LEED CI Silver Office – Personal Office”, by Michael R. Carlson, Carlson Studio Architecture
• 4:00 – 5:00ppm – Topic:  “100 North Tampa Case Study” along with 2525 and 2555 Ponce de Leon in Coral Gables, FL.  3 LEED EB Certified Project Case Studies, by Bryan Lauer, 2B Green World

Download the flier here – Local LEED Case Studies SW FL 3 10 11

The cost is $50 per person and the website is here – www.csifloridasouthwest.org

Popularity: 4% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (FGCC) of the USGBC upcoming events:  LINK

• Wednesday, March 2nd - Charlotte County Waste-water Facility Tour – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – 17430 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda. FL 33955
• Thursday, March10, 2011 – SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LEED CASE STUDIES SPEAKER SERIES – Edison State College – Fort Myers – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm – Student Services (Building S), Room S117.  Follow the campus signage to Parking lot #6 for the most convenient access.  Vendor space is still available for suppliers of related products. signed up please do so quickly as we a filling up fast.  You can register and pay online at www.csifloridasouthwest.org
• Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - LEED BD+C IEQ credit by credit review – 1.5 CEU hours – St Petersburg College EPI Center – Room 1-324 — 13805 58th St. N. in Largo, FL – SIGN UP HERE

Popularity: 4% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Representative Kathy Castor’s Outreach Director and Legislative Aide for Energy & Environment are touring 100 North Tampa on Thursday, February 24, 2011.

Bryan Lauer and Cal Buikema

Kathy Castor’s team is in for a treat – touring 100 North Tampa with Cal Buikema, Senior Property Manager, and Bryan Lauer, owner of 2B Green World and the buildings LEED Consultant.

Representative Kathy Castor’s team is touring 100 North Tampa to learn more about LEED certification for Existing Buildings (EB) and sustainability for office buildings.  LEED certification is a great way to implement sustainable practices and ensure proper ongoing implementation.  View 2B Green World Projects here – PROJECTS

2B Green World is HQ in Tampa, FL, specializing in obtaining LEED Certification for our clients assets.  Our goals are to make a “win-win” situation by improving clients “Triple Bottom Line”.  

100 North Tampa is a 42-story, 574 foot high, Class “A” office building, often referred as “Downtown Tampa’s premier office building”.   This project is 99% leased as of November 2010.

Downtown Tampa has 2 LEED EB Certified Projects:

• 100 North Tampa – received LEED EB Silver Certification in October 2009
• City Center – received LEED EB Gold Certification in early 2010

Downtown Tampa has 1 LEED Commercial Interior (CI) Project:  Gensler, 100 North Tampa Building, Silver Certified.  There are no other LEED certified projects in downtown Tampa.  Greater Tampa Bay has about 2 dozen LEED certified projects of all types, but there are only 3 LEED EB projects certified to date.  The 3rd LEED EB project is the USAA building, a single tenant building.

There is increasing interest from both, large/institutions and small building owners, in sustainability and LEED Certification.  100 North Tampa saved over $200,000 in energy costs in 2010 vs. 2009!  All projects 2B Green World has completed has saved enough energy to pay for all costs within 2 years, and in most cases 1 year!  These are great facts to have as to why building owners should pursue sustainability and LEED certification.

More information about 2B Green World can be found at their corporate site, here – www.2BGreenWorld.com

Popularity: 6% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

I HAVE TO MAKE THIS KNOWN

Commercial Real Estate firms have been developing their own “Green” groups specializing in LEED certification and other sustainable services, offering their new services to clients.  What happens is that the commercial firms monopolize their clients by offering sustainable service, claiming to be competitive with sustainable consulting firms.  In many cases, this can be a dis-service to their clients by withholding outside proposals from companies specializing in sustainable/LEED certification consulting.

The dis-service comes into play when the property manager doesn’t even forward the sustainable consulting companies proposals to the owner, deliberately keeping us out of the bidding process, if there is one.

OWNERS SHOULD ASK FOR 3 TO 4 PROPOSALS FROM OUTSIDE COMPANIES SPECIALIZING IN SUSTAINABILITY. Sustainability is our core competency but we have a commercial real estate background, understanding the management and operations process, combining the two creating even more value.

Experienced LEED Consulting companies can provide the same service, and probably better service, to building owners.  I have experienced this first hand, multiple times, and finally voicing my opinion so it gets heard.

Building owners should ask their property management companies to obtain bids from expert consulting companies to compare rates and understand who else is in the market and what their services are.

I have been shunned by too many large commercial real estate firms because they want to keep the revenue that’s generated from LEED consulting fees.  This is a disservice to their client and it needs to change NOW!

BUILDING OWNERS, ASK ME FOR A PROPOSAL EVEN IF IT’S JUST TO COMPARE RATES.

MY COMPANY HAS PRODUCED ENOUGH ENERGY SAVINGS IN THE FIRST YEAR TO PAY FOR MOST OF ALL LEED CONSULTING FEES!

We do this by implementing best practices using common sense and sustainable practices.  View our projects and their savings here – 2B Green World Past Projects

Popularity: 10% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Chicago is such a wonderful place and GreenBuild was packed full of people from around the world eager to find out more about “Generation Green”.

I want to know your thoughts about GreenBuild – how your company is related, what it means to you and any other comments or pictures.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

November 15 – 19 2010 marks the week GreenBuild is held and what better place than the WINDY CITY – or what now may be known as the GREEN CITY – Chicago.

Chicago is one of the most beautiful and CLEAN cities I’ve ever been too.  Chicago is also one of the leaders in sustainability by having a large amount of Energy Star and LEED Certified buildings.

Chicago on Cover of GreenSource Magazine

The GreenSource Cover features Chicago’s skyline covered with green vegetation.  I think it looks great!

Check out GreenSource GreenBuild Blog here – GreenBuild Blog Article

Go Green and FIND OUT HOW TO GET YOUR PROJECT LEED CERTIFIED HERE – 2B GREEN WORLD

Popularity: 14% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

For those who don’t understand what LEED Certification is, basically LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certification is the process of developing or transforming a building (office, industrial, hotel, hospital, school, etc.) into a sustainable, energy-efficient building when compared to a standard, “Normal” building.  There are many benefits with obtaining LEED Certification, such as:

• Lowering Operating Expenses (primarily Electricity & Water)
• Increase Net Operating Income (NOI)
• Increase Marketability
• Improve Air Quality
• Lower and Track Water-Uses
• Lower and Track Recycling Amounts
• and much more – click here for more info – 2B Green World

The above bullet points summarize the reasons building owners such as Hines, MetLife, Prudential, Wells Fargo and others are LEEDing the way towards a sustainable tomorrow.

All projects I’ve worked on have saved substantial amounts, lowering the operating expenses (increasing NOI) which increases the buildings value (Savings / Cap Rate = Value Created).  Check out those projects here – 2B Green World Projects

For more information about becoming LEED Certified, please email Bryan Lauer at Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com or call 813.96GREEN (47336).

Comments are welcomed, GO GREEN!

Popularity: 14% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

The Tampa Bay Lightning are taking a huge leadership role by putting on their first “Go Green Night”!

www.2BGreenWorld.com

The reason is “To encourage recycling and environmental awareness in our community. Fans who bring items including old Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys, hats or t-shirts to be shredded by Proshred or six plastic bottles and/or aluminum cans to be recycled by Waste Services of Florida will receive discounted tickets at a group rate, including $18 terrace corner seats, $35 terrace center seats or $60 plaza end seats. This special ticket incentive will be available on the west plaza prior to the game.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

This article was written by Colleen McGuire.

Are you aware that a North Carolina State University staff indicated that water gel-based solar devices (called: “artificial leaves”) can work like solar cells to create electricity?

The study has been published on-line within the Journal of Materials Chemistry by Dr. Orlin Velev, an Invista Professor associated with Chemical and Bio-molecular Engineering.

The results prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely imitate nature. They also have the opportunity to be less expensive and more beneficial to our environment than the present standard silicon based solar cells.

The bendable devices are composed of water-based gel infused using light-sensitive molecules (like plant chlorophyll) coupled with electrodes coated by carbon elements, such as carbon nanotubes or graphite.

Graphene is the basic structural element of a few carbon allotropes including graphite, carbon nanotubes and fullerenes. Graphene is a 1-atom thick planar sheet of carbon atoms that are largely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice. The title comes from graphite ene; graphite itself consists of several graphene sheets stacked together

The light-sensitive molecules get “excited” by the sun’s rays to produce electricity, similar to plant molecules that get excited to synthesize all kinds of sugar in order to grow.

Dr. Velev affirms that the analysis team hopes to be able to “learn how to copy the materials by which nature harnesses solar power.” Although man made light-sensitive molecules can be used, Velev says naturally made products, like chlorophyll, are also effortlessly integrated in these products because of their particular water-gel matrix.

Velev even imagines a future in which rooftops could be covered with soft sheets of similar energy-generating synthetic-leaf photo voltaic cells. The concept of biologically inspired ‘soft’ units for generating electricity may in the future provide an alternative for the present-day solid-state technologies.

About the Author: Colleen Mcguire writes for the <a href=”http://www.solarwaterfountains.org/”>solar fountains for the garden blog, her personal hobby web log focused on guidelines to help home owners to spend less energy with solar energy.

Reference: Aqueous soft matter based solar devices. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2011; DOI: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/JM/c0jm01820a

Popularity: 16% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Check out Bill Clinton discussing America becoming sustainable.

Bill Clinton on David Letterman

Popularity: 20% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Check out the amazing Class “A” Office Buildings I’m working on in Florida.

These projects are in different stages of obtaining LEED Certification.  There are many benefits to achieving LEED Certification, such as:  Cost Savings, Electric Savings, Water Savings, Increase Recycling, Improve Building Operations & Maintenance.

Find out more about getting your project LEED Certified.  Email Bryan Lauer at Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com or call 813.96GREEN (47336).

Popularity: 21% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

By:  Bryan Lauer

Don’t print this, just save it on your computer for reference

Sustainable Sites

Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products that have a Green Seal label or products that do not contain chemicals

• www.greenseal.org displays environmentally friendly products
• Use paints, adhesives and sealants that have low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Minimize the amount of landscape irrigation to conserve water while upholding the sites looks/integrity
• Check for erosion from too much water or foot traffic
• If fertilizers are necessary, consider the following best practices:
• Use fertilizer based on need not by calendar
• Use fertilizer only during times of plant uptake and not when heavy rain is expected
• Keep at least 25 feet from water bodies
• Use organic and natural materials as much as possible
• If synthetic fertilizers are used, choose slow-release formulations, and do not use “weed and feed” products
• Protect or restore open habitats to provide habitat and promote biodiversity
• Consider retrofitting driveway with grass or paint white or use a white membrane to lessen the heat-island affect (probably too expensive with NO payback)

Water Efficiency

• Install 0.5 gpm (Gallon per minute) aerators on all faucets to reduce the water consumption.  Aerators are cheap and you probably have at least 2.2gpm faucets right now
• Put a brick in the sistern of the toilet to take up space to use less water OR
• Retrofit your toilets to 1.2 gpf (Gallons per flush) or water-less urinals
• Consider retrofitting your shower-heads to 1.0 gpm (gallons per minute) – they are probably 2.5 – 5 gpm right now!
• Consider purchasing ENERGY STAR rated dishwasher and washer/dryer
• Consider installing a water meter to track your water usage on a weekly basis or more often
• Consider upgrading your irrigation system to a low-flow, high tech system that uses:
  • Bubblers
  • Sprayers
  • Rain sensor
  • Drip irrigation
  • Reduce the watering schedule until you see a negative impact.  You want to use as less water as possible while upholding the looks/integrity

Energy & Atmosphere

• Unplug anything not in use
• Turn A/C up or off when you leave
• Turn lights off when you do not need them
• Understand the types of light bulbs you have
  • Wattage
  • Life
  • Lumen output
  • Replace high wattage lightbulbs with new technology bulbs that use less wattage, last longer and have similar light colo
    • This will save hundreds or thousands of dollars every year!
    • Consider purchasing ENERGY STAR rated appliances, computers, tv’s, etc.
    • Visit https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index to learn more about tips to reduce energy at your home.
    • Consider installing solar panels, wind turbines or thermal technology.  Google these names and research the cost, benefits and federal tax incentives/credits that make purchasing make sense.
    • Consider having your house checked for any cracks or leaks and make sure it’s insulated to help save energy. This includes looking at:
      • Windows
      • Attic
      • Garage
      • Doors

Materials and Resources

• Begin purchasing environmentally friendly products as much as possible.  Click here to find a list of products – http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm
• Recycle as much as possible, including at a minimum:
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Plastic
  • Aluminum cans
  • Glass (can be recycled forever)
  • Light bulbs (give to me to recycle)
  • Batteries (give to me to recycle)
  • Electronics (give to me)
  • Furniture (give to me)
  • Toner cartridges (give to me)
  • Purchase food that is USDA organic, Food Alliance Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Protected Harvest Certified, Fair Trade or Marine Stewardship council’s Blue Eco Label
  • Purchase food produced within a 100-mile radius

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Use filters that have a Minimum Efficient Rating Value (MERV) of 13 or higher.  This filter will capture 99% of all the bad stuff in the air
• Consider purchasing air purifiers that have HEPA filters and change on a 6 month basis
• Begin purchasing environmentally friendly products from here – http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm
• Install entry way mats on the outside before you enter and on the inside right when you enter at all entrances.  Mats should be a combination of at least 10 feet long that will capture about 95% of the dirt on your shoes.
  • Clean/vacuum the mats on a daily basis
  • Studies show that having as much sunlight as possible leads to better productivity and less sickness
  • Consider purchasing sustainable cleaning equipment that meets the following criteria:
    • Vacuum cleaners certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute “Green Label” Testing Program and operate less then 70 decibles
    • Battery-powered equipment with gel batteries
    • Powered equipment designed to minimize vibration, noise and user fatigue
    • Equipment designed with safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers, to reduce potential damage to building surfaces
    • Use pest control products that are organic and do not contain chemicals.  You can find a list here – http://www.sfenvironment.org/downloads/library/20100420_sf_pesticide_list__red_legged_frog.pdf

ANY QUESTIONS GIVE BRYAN LAUER A CALL AT 813.363.0861 OR EMAIL Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

Popularity: 22% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World is based in Tampa, FL specializing in LEED Certification Consulting. We are reliable, effective and efficient getting your project LEED Certified.  2B Green World has completed multiple Existing Building projects having an average payback less than 2 years!

Project – 100 North Tampa; Gross SF – 590,947

Total Project Cost – $155,000

Payback – 7 – 8 months

Project – 2525 Ponce de Leon; Gross SF – 263,118

Total Cost – est. $65,000

Payback – 7 -8 months

Project – 2555 Ponce de Leon; Gross SF – 112,711

Total Cost – est. $55,000

Payback – 1.34 years

We are the cost-effective route with obtaining LEED Certification through consulting.  We treat every client individually and develop a plan based on their goals.

Our LEED consulting fees vary, primarily based on Gross Square Feet, working within our clients budgets and time frames.

For more information call Bryan Lauer at 813.363.0861 or email at Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

Please call with any questions or interest you may have.  Go Green!

Popularity: 29% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

This article was written by Houston Neal of Software Advice for Electricians.

Earlier this year we reported on the “coming renaissance of electrical contracting,” an upward trend of electricians transitioning into energy contractors to keep up with demand for green construction. A fast growing segment of this green construction market is building retrofits, or energy efficient renovations. Numerous reports forecast retrofitting to become a multi-billion dollar market over the next three to four years:

• McGraw Hill estimates it will become a $10 to $15 billion market by 2014;
• Pike Research puts it at $6.6 billion annually; and,
• SBI Energy predicts green renovations will make up 13% of the total renovation market by 2015.

To help electricians segue into their new role and win a piece of the burgeoning market, we decided to write this follow-up article. Here we present five green retrofits electricians should pitch to drive business. While our guide is intended for electricians, it can be used by any homeowner or building owner looking to adopt sustainable building practices.

1) Relamping
Out of all the green retrofit projects, lighting retrofits present the biggest opportunity for electricians. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), lighting accounts for more than 40 perent of the commercial sector’s electricity consumption. Not to mention, it makes up nearly 20 percent of all electricity used in the United States (including residential and industrial spaces). This chart from the ACEEE illustrates how much lighting energy is used by different types of buildings.

These numbers can be significantly reduced by replacing antiquated lighting systems with an energy efficient substitute. Take for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are much more efficient than incandescent lamps – LEDs use 2 to 10 watts of electricity while incandescent lamps use 60 watts – and they are close to becoming a replacement for fluorescent tubes (see: Are LED Tubes Ready for Prime Time?).

In addition to reduced energy consumption and operating costs, there are other carrots and sticks motivating building owners to retrofit their lighting systems. Utility companies and other organizations offer incentives (here’s a handy look-up tool for California residents), while new legislation requires buildings to use energy-efficient lighting.

Finally, factor in the 2.2 million buildings that are candidates for lighting-system upgrades, and you’ve got a lot of low hanging fruit in the market.

2) Daylight Harvesting
Daylight harvesting is the practice of reducing artificial light in a room when sunlight is available. According to a study performed by the NRC Institute for Research in Construction, it can reduce lighting energy costs by 20 to 60%. Call it “upselling” if you will, but electricians should pitch this retrofit to customers that are already relamping their homes and buildings.

A daylight harvesting system uses photosensors to detect light levels in a room. As sunlight becomes available, the artificial lighting will be reduced. When it’s cloudy or becomes dark outside, the level of artificial lighting will increase.

Three other lighting controls worth mentioning here are dimmers, motion sensors and timers. These energy savers have been around for years, but they are just as relevant today as when they first came out. Homeowners looking for simple ways to reduce energy can install any of the above. For more information, check out the US Department of Energy’s lighting guide.

3) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Retrofits
Mechanical contractors are typically more qualified to take on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) retrofits. However, as electricians move into the role of energy contractors, they will need to provide a complete energy solution. Consider this quote from Lara Schwicht Richards, manager of marketing projects for the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

“Energy solutions are a growing market for electrical contractors at a time when traditional construction work is declining,” she says. “Customers can look to electrical contractors to provide a total energy solution—integrating multiple technologies, when appropriate—for their building project rather than simply installing a single product.”

Some HVAC retrofits will always require the know-how of mechanical contractors. But others can be performed by an electrician because of their overlapping skills and knowledge. For example, electricians can install electrical consumption economizers – devices that reduce energy use of AC units – or programmable thermostats that optimize efficiency of HVAC equipment.

Energy Retrofitters, a licensed electrical contractor from Fort Worth Texas, lists other HVAC retrofits among their services like installing oil, acid, and moisture (OAM) purgers for chillers and adding special additives (e.g. thermo-conductive heat transferring compounds) to HVAC equipment. Both reduce electricity use in HVAC equipment.

4) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and Wind Turbines
Any article about green retrofits would be incomplete without a discussion of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind turbines. Solar photovoltaic systems – a.k.a. solar panels – are gaining traction in both residential and commercial applications. Lower production costs, government rebates and tax incentives are the primary drivers of increased adoption.

Grid-Tie Solar System

Electricians will likely have the most success pitching “grid-tie” solar systems, especially in areas where sunlight is not abundant. Using this type of system, the building remains connected to the utility power grid but disconnects as soon as enough solar power is available. Because these systems actually generate electricity, building owners may be able to receive payment or energy credits from their utility company.

Wind turbines are another viable option for building owners looking to recoup electricity costs. While less common than solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines can reduce electricity bills by 50 to 90%, according to the American Wind Energy Association. However, wind turbines aren’t for everyone. They are too big for urban or small-lot suburban homes, and of course they’re not effective in places with low wind speeds.

Other forms of renewable energy include biomass and geothermal systems. These alternative power generation methods are getting attention and they present job opportunities for electricians. As Rob Colgan, executive director of marketing for NECA, points out:

“Consumers are becoming more educated about alternatives to conventional power generation, such as solar, wind and biomass. Effectively using these alternative methods of power generation, however, takes specific skills and experience with a wide array of new products.”

5) Energy Management Systems and Monitoring Devices
Energy management systems have garnered a lot of press over the last year because of Microsoft Hohm and Google PowerMeter. With the aim of helping consumers monitor and manage energy consumption, these programs have the potential to drastically reduce our country’s carbon emissions. Studies show that giving consumers access to detailed home energy information results in 5 to 15% savings on monthly electricity. If half our country adopted these systems, Google says this would be the equivalent of taking eight million cars off the road!

Signing up for Hohm and PowerMeter is free and easy. However, accurately measuring energy use is more challenging. It requires the use of an energy monitoring device (e.g. TED). Installing these devices requires the knowledge of an electrician (or the bravery of a tech-savvy do-it-yourself’er). Multi-family, commercial and industrial buildings require a more sophisticated, “smart meter” system, and therefore necessitate the experience of electricians.

Wrapping up, these five retrofits make up a small portion of possible green renovations. There are hundreds more building products and technologies that will improve energy efficiency, while reducing energy costs. And with buildings producing up to 70% of some cities’ carbon emissions (as reported by the Energy Circle blog), there has never been a more relevant time to implement these technologies. So what other retrofits do you think we should include in our list? Leave us a comment if you know of a product, new technology or type of retrofit that can have a big impact on improving energy efficiency of a building.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World proved that going green saves green.  Please read the article here – http://www.review.net/section/detail/green-makes-green/

For more information on how to save money and LEED call Bryan Lauer at 813.363.0861 or email – Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

100 North Tampa Bldg.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

2B Green World is a consulting firm specializing in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for Existing Buildings, including:

• Office Buildings
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• High-rise apartments/condo’s
• Government Buildings
• Retail Buildings

Benefits:

• Reduce Operating Expenditures (Electric & Water), Increase NOI
• Increase Building Equipment Efficiency and Longevity
• Increase Marketability
• Increase Occupancy Rate (if applicable)
• Increase Rental Rates (if applicable)
• Increase Sales Price
• Implement best management practices
• Increase Recycling Program
• Improve Building Operations
• Improve Indoor Air Quality Environment
• Utilize “Green”, environmentally friendly products

Mission Statement – To service building owners in reducing operating expenses, increasing marketing efforts and improving indoor and outdoor environments creating a healthier/sustainable workplace through LEED Certification.

Vision Statement – Preserve the World, one building at a time.

The following office buildings are past and current LEED EB projects:

These projects represent over 2 million square feet of Class A office space!

We can work on a project anywhere in the World.  How?  Technology.  We only need to visit the site a couple times, if at all!

For more information on LEED Consulting Services for Existing Buildings, please call Bryan Lauer at 813.363.0861 or Bryan@2BGreenWorld.com

Popularity: 27% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Do your part to preserve our planet.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Straight from the Environmental Protection Agency, here are the top 10 cities with the most Energy Star labeled buildings (based on the # of EStar labeled building in 2009):

1. Los Angeles, CA
2. Washington, DC
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Denver, CO
5. Chicago, IL
6. Houston, TX
7. Lakeland, FL
8. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
9. Atlanta, GA
10. New York, NY

Find labeled buildings in your city here – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.locator

Popularity: 27% [?]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is the most recognized standard when going “Green”.  “It’s (LEED) like ADA (American’s with Disability Act) when it first came into existence.”  LEED is becoming industry standard putting those Certified head and shoulders above others.  LEED has different meanings that everyone must be cognizant of.

LEED addresses the complete lifecycle of buildings.  There are different LEED systems to address different project types:  Homes, Neighborhood Development, Commercial Interiors, Core & Shell, New Construction, Schools, Healthcare, Retail and Operations & Maintenance.

Once the Operations and Maintenance of the various LEED project types begin creates sustainability, including cost savings.  The bulk of cost savings is realized through implementing energy efficient best management practices outlined in the LEED Reference Guide.   There are many benefits to LEED, including:  Increasing Occupancy Rate, Reposition Asset, Increase Asset Value, Reduce Operating Expenditures, Increase Marketability, Improve Corporate Image, Improve Indoor Air Quality, Utilize Environmentally Friendly Products.  The cost of LEED can typically be paid back within 3 to 5 years, sometimes sooner.

“The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven building rating system based on existing proven technology.  It evaluates environmental performance from a whole-building perspective over a building’s life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a green building…LEED has five environmental categories:  Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality…It is based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strikes a balance between known, established practices and emerging concepts. It is a performance-oriented system in which points are earned for satisfying criteria that address specific environmental impacts inherent in the design, construction, and operations and maintenance of buildings.” (USGBC- LEED EB: O&M manual)

There are different levels of certification (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum) awarded based on the number of points earned.  The LEED process is very comprehensive in scope yet simple once established.

For further information please visit www.GoGreenCommercially.com or call Bryan Lauer at 813.349.8550, bblauer@clwrg.com

-Bryan Lauer, LEED AP

CLW Real Estate Services Group

Popularity: 27% [?]