This thesis examines ways to reduce energy consumption in university buildings. Occupancy based controls and other advanced building technologies being studied at the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Melon University were examined to see if they could be applied in at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Additionally, a sustainability assessment for the current TAMIU campus was performed with an analysis of the potential for TAMIU to obtain LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. First, occupancy-based controls that would shut off lighting, utilize power management features on computer equipment, and reduce airflow when a space is unoccupied were examined. An estimated annual savings of $525 could be obtained in the test office at Texas A&M by implementing these controls. If same controls were applied to the proposed green building at TAMIU, approximately $203,422 could be saved annually. Secondly, advanced building technologies used at the IW were examined to see if they are feasible in the new green building at TAMIU. Biodiesel cogeneration was found to be economically infeasible as a main power supply using the loads calculated for the building. A feasibility calculation for a radiant heating and cooling system with ventilation was performed and it was estimated that using one of these systems could have potential at TAMIU if the building envelope is designed correctly. Displacement ventilation could be implemented for research purposes in the test bed, but should not be implemented on a broader basis until more is known about the performance of these systems in hot and humid climates. Daylighting should be used in the new building whenever its implementation will not significantly increase solar loads. Thirdly, a sustainability assessment of the current TAMIU campus was performed. Several good practices and areas for improvement were identified in nine sustainability-related areas. The current TAMIU campus was examined to see what scope of work would be required to achieve LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. It was found that 39 credits, which is enough to achieve LEED certification, are either achievable as-is, achievable with a policy change, or achievable with a minor retrofit scope.

This thesis examines ways to reduce energy consumption in university buildings. Occupancy based controls and other advanced building technologies being studied at the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Melon University were examined to see if they could be applied in at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Additionally, a sustainability assessment for the current TAMIU campus was performed with an analysis of the potential for TAMIU to obtain LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. First, occupancy-based controls that would shut off lighting, utilize power management features on computer equipment, and reduce airflow when a space is unoccupied were examined. An estimated annual savings of $525 could be obtained in the test office at Texas A&M by implementing these controls. If same controls were applied to the proposed green building at TAMIU, approximately $203,422 could be saved annually. Secondly, advanced building technologies used at the IW were examined to see if they are feasible in the new green building at TAMIU. Biodiesel cogeneration was found to be economically infeasible as a main power supply using the loads calculated for the building. A feasibility calculation for a radiant heating and cooling system with ventilation was performed and it was estimated that using one of these systems could have potential at TAMIU if the building envelope is designed correctly. Displacement ventilation could be implemented for research purposes in the test bed, but should not be implemented on a broader basis until more is known about the performance of these systems in hot and humid climates. Daylighting should be used in the new building whenever its implementation will not significantly increase solar loads. Thirdly, a sustainability assessment of the current TAMIU campus was performed. Several good practices and areas for improvement were identified in nine sustainability-related areas. The current TAMIU campus was examined to see what scope of work would be required to achieve LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. It was found that 39 credits, which is enough to achieve LEED certification, are either achievable as-is, achievable with a policy change, or achievable with a minor retrofit scope.

Due to the deterioration of the earth’s health and the uncertainty in terms of climate changes, economy, food, water and energy supplies, the above terms have become worldwide phenomena. Buildings have a huge role to play in addressing the environmental concerns as they play a contributing role in gas emissions, waste disposal and energy use. The literature review and results of the quantitative research amongst experts like facility and building managers, leasing agents, finance managers and project managers in the property sector formed the basis of the study. Although green buildings are regarded as the future, the study revealed that there is a perception, even amongst experts in the property sector that the upfront costs of building green is substantially higher when compared to building conventional, which limits the construction of green buildings. This research is aimed at investigating whether building green leads to financial benefits which will ultimately provide the differentiator when it comes down to a final decision whether to invest in green buildings or not. An overview is also provided on the fundamental principles of green buildings which are important to be implemented in the construction of green buildings in order to maximise the financial benefits provided by green buildings. The study showed that experts agreed that the concepts applied in green buildings lead to long-term financial savings which justifies the statement that a realistic comparison between the total costs of building green versus building conventional can only be achieved over the lifecycle of a building. The main finding of this study is that there is awareness and understanding of the financial benefits associated with green buildings which implies that green buildings have a good growth potential. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Due to the deterioration of the earth’s health and the uncertainty in terms of climate changes, economy, food, water and energy supplies, the above terms have become worldwide phenomena. Buildings have a huge role to play in addressing the environmental concerns as they play a contributing role in gas emissions, waste disposal and energy use. The literature review and results of the quantitative research amongst experts like facility and building managers, leasing agents, finance managers and project managers in the property sector formed the basis of the study. Although green buildings are regarded as the future, the study revealed that there is a perception, even amongst experts in the property sector that the upfront costs of building green is substantially higher when compared to building conventional, which limits the construction of green buildings. This research is aimed at investigating whether building green leads to financial benefits which will ultimately provide the differentiator when it comes down to a final decision whether to invest in green buildings or not. An overview is also provided on the fundamental principles of green buildings which are important to be implemented in the construction of green buildings in order to maximise the financial benefits provided by green buildings. The study showed that experts agreed that the concepts applied in green buildings lead to long-term financial savings which justifies the statement that a realistic comparison between the total costs of building green versus building conventional can only be achieved over the lifecycle of a building. The main finding of this study is that there is awareness and understanding of the financial benefits associated with green buildings which implies that green buildings have a good growth potential. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

International experience indicates that energy labelling programmes are rapidly evolving as a valuable tool for energy efficiency awareness and practice in the built environment. Four years after the launch of the South African labelling programme, Green Buildings for Africa (GBfA), it became evident that implementation was not successful. This study evaluates the contribution of a range of factors towards the sustained implementation and uptake of energy labelling programmes for commercial buildings based on a comparative appraisal of relevant international case studies and the GBfA. The analytical process is based on three types of energy labelling categories (mandatory energy audit, voluntary energy audit and voluntary benchmarking scheme) and two categories of factors (contextual and programme-specific). The key finding is that government involvement and support is critical, if not a prerequisite, for successful roll-out of an energy labelling programme. Key recommendation is that a local programme be initially based on a voluntary benchmark programme approach.

Miljömedvetenheten hos hyresgäster, såväl som hos andra intressenter inom fastighetsbranschen, har ökat markant de senaste åren. Allt fler företag och intresseorganisationer tänker allt mer på vad just de kan göra för att minska de negativa effekterna på miljön och inte minst vilka affärsmöjligheter det finns att hitta. På den internationella fastighetsmarknaden har "green buildings" kommit att bli ett välkänt begrepp, men vad menas egentligen med "green buildings" och vad är orsakerna till den låga utvecklingen på den svenska fastighetsmarknaden? Arbetet syftar till att studera den mer utvecklade internationella marknaden och med kunskap därifrån definiera begreppet "green buildings" samt resonera om vilka faktorer och framförallt vilka intressenter det är som styr utvecklingen. Arbetet syftar även till att från mer utvecklade marknader dra lärdomar av olika intressenter, och framförallt från ett fastighetsägarperspektiv, i syfte att vara vägledande för AP Fastigheter som en av Sveriges största fastighetsägare. Studien är genomförd 2008 med avslutande reflektioner gjorda under 2014. / The environmental awareness among tenants, as well as with other stakeholders in the real estate industry, has increased significantly in recent years. More and more companies and interest groups think more and more about what they can do to reduce the negative effects on the environment and not least what business opportunities there are to find. On the international real estate market Green Buildings have become a familiar concept, but what is meant by Green Buildings and what are the reasons for the low performance of the Swedish real estate market? The thesis aims to study the more developed international market and with the knowledge from there define the concept of Green Buildings. The thesis also discusses the factors and above all which stakeholders drive the market for Green Buildings on the international market. The work is also aimed at from the more developed markets learn lessons from various stakeholders, and especially from a property owner perspective, in order to guide one of Sweden’s largest commercial real estate company AP Real Estate how to be an industry leader in Sweden. The study was conducted in 2008 with concluding reflections made during 2014.

There has been numerous research that has hypothesised that ‘green’ buildings contribute to more positive outcomes than that of their conventional counterpart, such as increased well-being (psychological and physical) and productivity. However, recent studies have shown that results have been inconclusive, showing a discrepancy within this realm. In the present study, the researcher investigated the relationship between ‘green’ buildings and organisational outcomes (well-being, productivity, job satisfaction, absenteeism, and presenteeism), as well as, factors that may impact on this relationship. This was achieved by examining a sample of participants within the Nedbank Menlyn Maine building, whereby, a 5-star ‘As-Built’ Green Rating has been achieved. A non-experimental, longitudinal, correlational mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental well-being scale, Sick Building Syndrome Questionnaire, perceptions of physical work conditions questionnaire, and single item scales measuring productivity, job satisfaction, absenteeism, and presenteeism. Data was compared over three time frames (approximately 6 months apart) in order to see if there was a change. Qualitative data was collected by means of nine in-depth interviews. Most the results demonstrated that the ‘green’ building did not produce significantly better physical or psychological wellbeing, increased job satisfaction or higher perceived productivity. Qualitative data revealed that green buildings could not be examined in isolation, and that aspects, such as legitimacy of the green concept, education, resistance, unconscious impacts, office design, culture, and health effects needed to be examined in order to understand the quantitative results. The implications of the results and the limitations of the study are discussed, and suggestions for further research are made.

There is little empirical evidence in the literature to support industry claims about how green schools tend to have better indoor environmental quality (IEQ) than conventional ones and how teachers in green schools tend to feel better about their schools’ IEQ than those in conventional ones. There is also little empirical evidence in the literature about the impact of improved IEQ in literature about the impact of improved IEQ in schools on teachers’ well-being and their levels of satisfaction with their indoor environments. This research is based on a collaborative partnership with the Government of Manitoba Public Schools Finance Board, and three different public school divisions in Manitoba. It aims to develop and validate a comprehensive methodology to evaluate schools’ IEQ, teachers’ well-being and satisfaction with it, and the relationship between these two aspects. The research evaluated these specific aspects within a sample of three rural schools in Southern Manitoba, Canada: one middle-aged, conventional school; one new, non-green school; and one new, green school certified using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System. The methodology developed in this thesis employs three main data collection techniques: 1) field measurements using an existing mobile instrument cart to capture environmental indicators of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting quality and acoustics quality in classrooms, 2) a field observation form to record the physical conditions of the evaluated classrooms, and 3) an occupant survey to evaluate teachers’ satisfaction with their classrooms’ IEQ.

No description available.

That there is great potential in the environmental benefits in the real estate area is obvious and theories from the research society on how to make them profitable for the real estate companies are many. However, it is still unclear which path to choose, in order to make theories become realities. The objective of this study is to anaalyze some of the strategic factors behind the choice of green buildings investments focusing on the Swedish market. The purpose is to understand the way real estate companies in Sweden manage the risks and opportunities in these green investments. The aim is to recognize the underlying framework for understanding the customers and their needs for a productive environemnt in commercial buildings. This thesis has concluded that the management of real estate companies is preceding the development of green buildings with caution. There are still knowledge barriers between management and actual real estate manager or rental department on how to communicate the "green" benefits for the building and the leases. The study also found evidence for the real estate companies problem to account and communicate the unique selling points (USP) of the "green" premium in a lease. Goverment policies and finacial incentives on credit arrangments are seen as to become more important for a positive development of conventional buildings into "green buildings". The ever growing importance of Corporate Social Responsibility might also become one of the driving factors for the development of more green buildings in Sweden.