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6 Things You Should Look For in a LEED Consultant
Author: Jonas Akula
These days, many business owners, project managers, and facilities managers emphasize green design and construction. Numerous benefits come to you when you take care of this aspect. Apart from cost savings during the project, the expenses owners incur on the building’s operations and maintenance is reduced substantially. It is one key reason why you must search for LEED consultant Chennai if you are planning to start a project.
Why LEED?
On the one hand, utility costs are rising high, and on the other hand, there are advancements in technology. By integrating suitable systems and practices, you can reduce costs and develop efficiency.
On top of it, you must understand that buildings impact climate change and a host of other aspects like local ecology and human health. It is, therefore, crucial for you to consider all these factors and do everything possible to mitigate these risks by using green building practices and concepts.
One of the best rating systems that focus on these aspects is USGBC’s LEED. USGBC is an acronym for U.S. Green Building Council, whereas LEED refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
LEED is a complex process that one must follow to achieve the best results. It is, therefore, wise to look out for LEED consultant Chennai that can help you with this task.
They can help the project achieve its mission and goals by surpassing all the obstacles in the design. LEED consultants will also tell you things that you must avoid altogether. Now, how do you find the right LEED consultant. Here are some simple tips that will assist you in finding the best one:
Look for Credentials
GBCI or the Green Building Certification Institute, which evolved from the USGBC awards accreditation programs to recognize those who are familiar with the LEED requirements. Individuals who take this test also should know the best practices in green building and need to have sufficient knowledge about the certification process.
Those who pass the GBCI exam are known as LEED AP or LEED Accredited Professional. Projects that undertake LEED certification receive a point when there is a LEED AP on their team. No wonder why so many people are doing their best to become LEED APs these days.
The rating system that you find these days has become more sophisticated. There are different products such as LEED for Retail, LEED for New Construction, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance.
Candidates who plan to become a LEED AP need to take a general exam and a test to prove the specialization. It is one of the first things you must check in a company when you plan to use a LEAD consultant for your project. Check how many people in that company has the accreditation before taking things further.
Experience and Expertise
It is the next thing that should be of concern to you when you are looking for a LEED consultant Chennai. Take your time to meet with the consultant and then ask them to share the various projects they did in the past. Let them explain to you about the projects, and then let them explain to you the unique problems they did face during the process and how they overcame all of those obstacles. It will give you a fair idea of their competency.
Happy With Their Communication
Communication plays a vital role. Hence, when you are looking for a LEED consultant, pick a consultant who can communicate well with you and your team. Do not choose a consultant that struggles with communication. The company should have employees that have strong project management skills. If any of this is missing, you should continue with your search.
Strategic Thinking
The LEED rating system awards a credit each time your project achieves something in a specific category. A LEED consultant should look beyond credits and reference guides that UGBC has established. They should clearly understand the synergy that comes from achieving points as outlined by LEED guidelines.
These consultants should understand the overall picture that LEED wants them to accomplish by following those guidelines. A good consultant will take time to give you a clear idea of things that you must achieve to reach specific project goals.
Understand the Needs of Individuals
Next, you need to find a LEED consultant in Chennai that puts themselves in their customers’ shoes, facilities managers, design teams, and project managers. They need to have empathy for others and should try to empathize with these key players.
Since it requires the consulting firm to work with various individuals to complete the project, you must lookout for a company with the best team that values its customers and their team’s needs.
Excellent Facilitator
LEED Documentation is crucial for a project. But that should not be your focus. It would be best if you found a LEED consultant that can explain the process in simple language to contractors, design teams, and other crucial individuals for the project.
Everything You Need to Know About MEP Engineering
Author: Jonas Akula
Finding the best MEP consultants in Delhi is not an easy task. If you put in the effort and do the necessary research, you will soon locate the best MEP consultant in India. MEP consultants in Delhi can add tremendous value to a project. It is one of the main reasons why you must plan on using them.
What Exactly is MEP Engineering?
MEP means Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. Every building needs these three aspects to function as per the requirements of the occupants. When you optimally design all of these segments, you get the best returns on the investment.
When you take care of all these three elements in a project, you will save a lot of money. It is the vital reason why you need to have an MEP consultant working for you on your project team.
MEP design will significantly help owners and project managers in planning and decision-making. It also helps in cost-estimation, construction, performance, and accurate documentation. Operating and maintaining the premises becomes easy when you have an MEP design.
MEP engineers have a vast understanding of the concepts such as thermodynamics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and a host of other things. They use their knowledge and expertise to recommend and integrate the best systems in these three construction areas to achieve optimal results.
Mechanical Aspects in a Project
People use different types of mechanical systems to construct commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. But, these are three popular segments in this area:
Air Conditioning
Space Heating and
Mechanical Ventilation
All of these systems integrate so that they work together to provide the best experience to the occupants. They interact in such a manner as to keep the humidity and temperature down on the premises.
The mechanical ventilation also focuses on getting enough fresh air in the building. It is crucial because it reduces the pollutant concentration and makes the environment safe.
Another critical aspect that is crucial in mechanical installations is the equipment capacity. But over-engineering can cause a lot of adverse problems.
Oversized boilers and chillers can cause so many issues, such as wearing down the pictures and causing temperature fluctuation. MEP consultants consider all of these aspects when designing things.
Electrical Engineering
Locating the best routes for the electrical conduits in high-rise constructions can help you save so much money. There is a lot of design flexibility in the electrical aspects when you compare it with the project’s mechanical and plumbing elements.
With the assistance of the best MEP software available, MEP engineers can lay out the best route to cut down the costs and reduce the circuit length of wires and conduits.
One of the areas where you spend a lot of money on the building is the lighting system. Apart from the installation, energy consumption can go up pretty high when you do not take care of it. LED light fixtures can help in cutting down the energy consumption by 30 to 90 percentage. You get the best results when you use the best light fixtures.
An HVAC system works well when there is a good collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineers. Boilers and furnaces work on electricity. Hence, there should be proper coordination between these two groups.
Plumbing
You have to follow the code requirement when carrying out any plumbing installations. The design process in plumbing requires proper laying out of the piping routes.
It is similar to installing the ductwork in mechanical design and installation of conduit in an electrical design. By using advanced software, MEP engineers can simplify the process to avoid any clashes.
Plumbing installations do interact with both electrical and mechanical systems at several locations. If there is no collaboration among the design teams, things can go haywire. Several systems in MEP need to integrate to function.
For example, you have to install water booster pumps in high-rise buildings. This system only works on electricity. A heat exchanger or a dedicated water heater is required to run the domestic hot water system.
When you use MEP consultants, you get better results when designing these three construction elements rather than designing them in isolation. You will avoid equipment location conflicts when you follow an MEP design. It saves time, effort, and costs.
In Conclusion
These are some of the many benefits that come when you involve an MEP engineer in a project. You should, however, take some time to search for the best MEP consultants in Delhi to assist you with the project.
A lot of firms are offering these services. But, not all of them are the best in the industry or upto the mark. You should check both their experience and expertise before taking things forward. If possible, check the earlier work of the firm before partnering with them for a project.
10 Ways to Find the Best MEP Consultant
Author: Jonas Gihone Akula
If you search online using the phrase ‘MEP consultants in Pune,’ you will be startled. That’s because there are so many companies offering this service. If you aren’t careful enough, you will end up choosing the wrong firm to partner with you.
Why You Need MEP Design Services?
In the first place, you must be wondering why you need to use MEP design services. You might be thinking if it’s going to benefit the project. MEP design consultants can maximize the performance of a renovation project or a new building in construction.
MEP design firms are going to analyze the building systems that a builder is considering for the project. They are going to pick the best building systems that can better integrate with the building.
When you choose an MEP design company, you are going to benefit considerably. Here are some aspects related to the project that can significantly improve when you use an MEP consultant:
• They can help improve heating, cooling, lighting, and environmental performance without compromising aesthetics and design integrity
• Ensure that the building meets both energy and water conservation conditions apart from meeting all the environmental requirements
• Considerably reduce maintenance and operation costs of a building for its entire service life
• Solve issues related to plumbing apart from wastewater management
These are some of the crucial reasons why you must work with an MEP design consulting firm. Here’s a list of ten steps that you must follow when you are planning to choose an MEP Engineering or consulting firm:
Good Name and Reputation
Yes, it would be best if you took the time to look for an MEP design consulting firm that has a terrific name and reputation in the market.
Contact your connections to check if they are aware of a company that is upto the mark or used an MEP design consultant’s services before. Always learn about the experience they had before taking things further.
The Online Reputation
Luckily, so many people are ready to share their experiences online. Make some time to skim through the ratings and reviews that people have left online.
As you read through their experiences, you will know what to expect from that company. Do not take things further if the ratings and reviews are terrible. This way, you are going to save yourself from unpleasant situations.
Check Their Website
It is one of the first steps you must take when looking for an MEP design consultant. When you check for MEP consultants in Pune on the internet, you will soon notice many websites in the search results.
Take time to visit the website to check the services they offer and learn about their experience and expertise. Some companies will also showcase the projects they did in the past. Take time to go through this information.
Meet With Them
You must meet with them in person to learn what they can bring to your table. Anyone can give you the designs to start the project. It would be best if you had someone who can go beyond that to provide you alternatives for design or innovation.
When you meet the company representatives, speak about their previous projects and what did they do differently. It will give you a good idea of the company.
Ask for References
It is not wrong to ask for references. When you meet the MEP design consultants, ask them to share with you a few references that you can reach out to learn about their experiences of working with the firm.
Happy With Their Communication
Communication plays a vital role when it comes to the success of a project. Take your time to read through the written documentation to see if it is impressive. Are you happy with the company and how they reach out to you, and Do they listen to you before providing solutions? Do you find their communication professional?
Check the Budget Aspects
It would be best to look out for a company ready to deliver the product within the budget you have set. Their contribution should add value to the project. Also, check to see if the firm has professional credentials such as LEED before taking things further.
Compare the Costs
It is wise to get quotes from two or three companies that are similar in size. If you do this, you will better understand the market rate. You will be in a better position to make a choice when you do this thing.
Meet the Design Team
It is wise to meet the design team to learn about them and how you would like to collaborate. You need to know if the design team understands all the project requirements before rendering their service to you.
Sign the Contract
Lastly, have a contract to highlight all the expectations that you want the MEP design consultants to meet and like versa. This way, the MEP design consultants know what you want them to deliver and do their best to provide the necessary help and assistance.
When you ponder on the following question, ‘ How do I find the best MEP consultants in Pune? Do not forget the steps and insights given above to find the best one.
10 Reasons Why an MEP Design Company Should Work On Your Project
Author: Jonas Gihone Akula
MEP, in a nutshell, is nothing but an acronym for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. Working with an MEP Consultancy in Bangalore can help your project beyond your imagination. Many people do not get this point.
Why Choose MEP Consultancy in Bangalore for Your Project
When you use MEP consultants to help you with the building design, you will significantly reduce the operating costs apart from optimizing or improving the building performance.
MEP engineers collaborate and work with the architects and the owner through all three critical phases of the project — design, construction or development, and operation. They evaluate the various systems available and suggest the best ones that perfectly fit the owner’s budget.
There are a lot of building systems and technologies that one can now use. MEP consultants consider all of the options available, keeping in mind the LEED accreditation and sustainable design.
Here are ten areas in the project where MEP consultancy in Bangalore can assist you in the project:
Choosing the Right HVAC System
HVAC or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems are crucial for any building. There are so many available options in the market, such as UFAD (Under Floor Air Distribution) system. MEP design firms can help you choose the correct automation systems that best suit the project and one that runs efficiently. Besides this, these systems also need to meet environmental-friendly standards and provide the highest comfort to occupants.
Lighting and Electricity
Do you know that almost 11% of the United States’ electricity is towards Indoor Lighting? If you use an MEP consultancy firm on a project, you can save somewhere between 20 to 60 percent on lighting consumption.
MEP consultants can use various techniques such as installing sensors, incorporating natural daylight, and using the right light fixtures that are energy-efficient to get the best results. Taking care of these aspects can also help in improving the comfort of the occupants.
The Plumbing Design
If you want your project to be eco-friendly and cost-effective, you must collaborate with an MEP design consultant. They will consider various systems to conserve energy apart from taking care of waste management systems and sewers. Their designs will also include provisions to suppress the fire and get drinking water into the building.
Building Automation
Automation systems are becoming quite popular these days as they help conserve energy and reduce the operating costs of a building. Building automation systems work on a centralized system that integrates with both hardware systems and software. One can use automation systems in controlling the HVAC systems, fire alarms, lighting (indoor and outdoor), and various other electrical, plumbing, and mechanical features of a building.
Priority to Energy Conservation
In short, MEP engineers know the best products that are available in the market that can help conserve energy. They will try to incorporate those things into the project. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC designs in themself help in significantly reducing the consumption of energy. For example, installing environmentally-friendly or renewable energy sources can impact how much energy your will spend.
Worthwhile Solutions for Your Project
MEP engineers will bring value to the project by providing innovative solutions. They will suggest products that use the latest technology. They will also ensure that these products fit your budget, are flexible, and give the best outcome possible.
Fire Alarms and Protection Equipment
Most importantly, this is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment in a building. Yet, installing fire alarms and sprinklers is not an easy task. A lot of coordination is needed when installing sprinklers as well as fire suppression systems to a building.
Apart from meeting the building code requirements, they should also ensure that this system is spread across the building uniformly. MEP design engineers are smart enough to sync both the plumbing and fire hydrant systems. Apart from that, they will suggest environmental-friendly products.
Apart from these seven things, MEP consultancy firms check the building every few years to see if the systems are working efficiently. They will check to see if you are getting optimal results. Retro-commissioning is one of the best ways to identify how the building systems are performing.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The health of the occupants depends on this aspect. Businesses and schools must take care of this to reduce the number of sick leaves. MEP consultants use various methods to improve indoor environmental quality. For example, they might develop unique designs to ensure that most of the natural light comes inside the premises. Moreover, they might plan on optimizing the HVAC systems to reduce foul odor and to increase ventilation.
Conserve Water in the Building
Some plumbing and mechanical system designs can dramatically reduce water consumption in the building. Installation of low-flow taps or fixtures, insulating the piping, or optimizing the landscape design are a few examples of how we can conserve water.
Materials That Are Easy to Use and Maintain
Lastly, MEP consultancy in Bangalore can help pick nontoxic and easy-to-maintain materials to install. Cleaning and maintaining them would not be difficult. In conclusion, keep in mind that this can help you save a ton of money over a period giving high-value to your investment.