Boosting Building Value with BREEAM

Summary

This article guides you through the steps to achieve BREEAM certification, enhancing property value, attracting tenants, and contributing to a sustainable future. We will discuss the benefits of BREEAM and how to improve your building’s performance. Follow these steps to unlock the potential of your building and contribute to a greener future.

Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.

** Main Story**

Alright, let’s talk BREEAM. Getting that certification can really boost your property’s value, not to mention attracting tenants who are actually thinking about the planet. Plus, you’re doing your part for a more sustainable built environment, which is, you know, the right thing to do. Here’s a breakdown of how to make it happen.

What’s the Deal with BREEAM Anyway?

BREEAM, or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is basically a globally recognized way to measure how sustainable a building or infrastructure project is. It looks at everything from energy use to water management and even how good the air quality is inside. Getting certified shows you’re serious about sustainability, which makes your building more attractive and valuable. Buildings that meet the standard can often command higher rents and sale prices, mainly because they’re cheaper to run and more people want to live or work there.

Okay, So How Do You Actually Get Certified?

1. Know the Rules of the Game: Start by getting familiar with the BREEAM certification scheme and what it covers. You need to understand what aspects of sustainability BREEAM cares about and what your building needs to do to measure up. There are different BREEAM schemes out there, so pick the one that’s the best fit for your building and where you’re at in the project. For instance, a new construction project will have different requirements than a building that’s already standing.

2. Get an Expert on Board: Bringing in a licensed BREEAM assessor early on is key, trust me. They’re there to guide your team through the whole process, give you advice on how to meet the criteria, and help you get the best possible score. They can help you navigate some of the complicated elements to meet the standards.

3. Map Out Your Strategy: Work with your team and that BREEAM assessor to put together a solid sustainability strategy that ticks all the BREEAM boxes. Outline specific steps, technologies, and design elements you’ll use to hit your target BREEAM rating. Think energy-efficient systems, water-saving features, and materials that are good for the environment. It’s a holistic process.

4. Bake It In From the Start: Make sure those BREEAM requirements and sustainability strategies are part of the design process right from the beginning. It’s easier, cheaper, and more effective to build sustainability in from the ground up than to try to tack it on later.

During Construction and Beyond

1. Keep the Contractor in the Loop: Make sure your construction team knows what’s up and is on board with implementing those sustainability measures. Regular site inspections will help you stay on track and catch any issues before they become big problems. Seriously, it’ll save you headaches down the road.

2. Track Everything: Monitor and document how your building is performing against the BREEAM criteria throughout the whole process – design, construction, and operation. This shows you’re committed and helps you spot areas where you can improve. You can’t manage what you don’t measure, right?

3. Don’t Just Stop There: Getting certified isn’t the finish line. You need to keep reviewing and updating your building’s sustainability strategies, systems, and technologies to keep it performing at its best. Think of it like maintaining a car – you wouldn’t just drive it until it breaks down, would you?

Tips for Maxing Out Your Rating

• Go Big on Energy Efficiency: Implementing energy-efficient tech and design isn’t just good for the planet, it lowers operating costs and boosts your BREEAM score. Win-win!

• Be Smart with Water: Implement water-saving features and strategies to cut down on water use. Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling can really boost your score too.

• Healthy Indoor Spaces: Design for natural light and ventilation to create a better indoor environment. Use low-emission materials to improve air quality. People will thank you for it.

• Get Innovative: Look beyond the usual solutions. Novel approaches to energy efficiency, material selection, and waste reduction can really set your project apart. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

More Than Just a Certificate

Look, BREEAM certification is great, but it’s not just about the certificate itself. It’s about increasing your property’s value, attracting quality tenants, and lowering your operating costs. And, maybe even more importantly, it’s about showing you’re serious about environmental responsibility, which strengthens your brand and helps you meet your corporate social responsibility goals. Ultimately, by taking these steps, you can unlock the full potential of your building and help create a greener future. So, what are you waiting for?