GO GREEN / LEED Consulting

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.

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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).

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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.

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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

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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!

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LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings is the latest version the USGBC and GBCI have developed for existing buildings and is called Green Buildings Operations and Maintenance (GBOM).  The content within the reference guide is slightly different than the previous version – Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance (EBOM), however, the credit points have changed significantly while the pre-requisites have stayed the same.

The credit points now have the following scale:  Certified – 40 – 49, Silver – 50 – 59, Gold – 60 – 79, Platinum – 80 – 110.  Although there are more points to be had, to achieve certification requires achieving more points than the EBOM version (32).

There is also a new version of LEED Online.  I used it today for the first time registering a project in Coral Gables.  Although different, it seems to be more user friendly once used to the formatting.  The submittal templates are also modified from the previous version making it more cumbersome.

In conclusion I believe the USGBC and GBCI need to stick with the same version of LEEDOnline and the Submittal Templates in order for people to be efficient and effective.  Changing these every year or two makes it much more difficult for LEED AP’s to master.

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A LEED AP is a person who possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the exam administered by the Green Building Council Institute (GBCI).  LEED AP’s can facilitate and streamline the LEED Certification process.  LEED AP has a universal meaning, however, you should be cautious when hiring a LEED AP.

Understanding the LEED AP’s experience and expertise is essential when hiring.  Hiring the right LEED AP to certify your building/project can be very beneficial.  LEED AP’s can facilitate and streamline the LEED Certification process.

I am a LEED AP and currently undergoing LEED Certification for a 550,000 square foot office high-rise in downtown Tampa.  To find out more about LEED Certification please view the LEED page at the top of the website or feel free to contact me at 813.363.0861.  

-Bryan Lauer, LEED AP

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A LEED Accredited Professional (AP) is a person who has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the test administered by the Green Building Council Institute (GBCI).  LEED APs have the ability to facilitate and streamline the LEED Certification process.  

There are many benefits with obtaining the LEED AP designation:

• Marketing credential to a client, prospective client, employer, prospective employer.
• High level of knowledge for sustainable practice
• Listed on the GBCI website
• Obtain a LEED Certificate from the GBCI
• Eligible for projects that require a LEED AP
• Encourages knowledge and expansion of understanding LEED APs and LEED Certification Process
• Promotes a better understanding of LEED

The many benefits of becoming LEED Certified is invaluable in understanding sustainable and healthier living. 

LEED AP has a universal meaning, however, there are different types of LEED APs, and include:  Existing Building (EB), New Construction (NC), Commercial Interiors (CI) and Core & Shell (CS).  If you are considering hiring a LEED AP you need to understand their capacity and line of work.

Currently the USGBC and GBCI are experiencing a vast amount of growth, therefore the LEED AP designation is ever evolving.  

To learn more about becoming a LEED AP, go to the GBCI website at www.gbci.org

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The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) was formed in 1993 and is the leading force in the green movement.

The USGBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the US go green.  The USGBC coordinates “the establishment and evolution of a national consensus effort to provide the industry with the tools necessary to design, build, and operate buildings that deliver high performance inside and out…As the preeminent organization that represents the entire building industry on environmental building matters, USGBC’s unique perspective and collective power provide our members with enormous opportunity to effect change in the way buildings are designed, operated, and maintained”. (USGBC, LEED EB: O&M manual)

USGBC has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, administered by the Green Building Council Institute (GBCI).  Please view the LEED page to find out more about LEED and going green.  The USGBC develops the LEED rating system and LEED education classes and resources.  The GBCI administers the LEED credentialing programs that support the process of proven practices of the Green Rating System outlined in LEED.  

The GBCI handles all aspects of the LEED Professional Accreditation process.  The aspects include exam development, registration and delivery.  ”The separation into two organizational entities brings the credentialing program closer toward meeting standards for programmatic excellence put forth by ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024.” (GBCI website- About section)

If you have any questions please contact Bryan Lauer, LEED AP, at 813.363.0861.

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