Optimum Energy's HVAC Energy Efficiency Software for Commercial Buildings Contributes 27 LEED Credits

Optimum Energy, LLC, provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) software solutions that set a new standard in energy efficiency, today announced that energy savings resulting from the use of its OptimumHVAC software can contribute to the achievement of 27 Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credits within the latest version of the LEED green building certification program. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. OptimumHVAC also can help increase ENERGY STAR scores, one measurement used to earn LEED points.

"We applaud the increased emphasis on energy efficiency and ongoing performance measurement announced with LEED 2009," said Nathan Rothman, founder and CEO, Optimum Energy. "Improvements in HVAC energy efficiency play a vital role in helping commercial facilities reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs, and I’m proud that our products contribute to more than 25 percent of the points needed to achieve LEED certification. Not only can we improve HVAC energy efficiency up to 60 percent, but continuous optimization and measurement of HVAC plant performance helps ensure energy savings persist."

The Aventine office building located in La Jolla, Calif., and owned and operated by Glenborough, LLC, is a registered project pursuing LEED Platinum certification. In early 2008, the Aventine installed OptimumHVAC software, and in the first year, reduced HVAC energy consumption by 500,000 kWh. As a result of the savings, the Aventine increased its ENERGY STAR score by 15 to the maximum score of 100, qualifying the Aventine to receive all available points for EA Credit 1, Optimize Energy Efficiency Performance. In the latest version of LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, it’s possible to achieve up to 18 EA Credit 1 points.  The Aventine case study is available at: www.optimumenergyhvac.com/Aventine.pdf.

"Achieving an ENERGY STAR rating of 100 is unprecedented for a 20-plus year old building," said Carlos Santamaria, director of engineering, Glenborough. "Installation of OptimumHVAC is saving us money and better positioning the Aventine in its pursuit of LEED Platinum certification. This next generation technology is unlike any control strategy in the market today, and its proven energy efficiency benefits can significantly change the way buildings operate."

In addition to supporting the achievement of up to 18 EA Credit 1 points in LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, Optimum Energy’s end-to-end delivery model and ongoing optimization can contribute to the requirements of an additional nine EA points, including:

EA Credit 2.1: Existing Building Commissioning – Investigation and Analysis (2 points)
EA Credit 2.2: Existing Building Commissioning – Implementation (2 points)
EA Credit 2.3: Existing Building Commissioning – Ongoing Commissioning (2 points)
EA Credit 3.2: Performance Measurement – System Level Metering (1-2 points)
EA Credit 6: Emissions Reduction Reporting (1 point)

A fact sheet is available at www.optimumenergyhvac.com/LEED_Facts.pdf.

A cornerstone of Optimum Energy’s HVAC efficiency solution is ongoing commissioning provided by OptimumHVAC software that continuously optimizes centrifugal chiller plant performance based on real-time load requirements. Combined with OptimumHVAC Performance Assurance, which provides measurement and validation of HVAC performance via a secure Web site, facility managers have the information they need to maintain efficient plant operations over time. OptimumHVAC Performance Assurance also provides alerts in case of an equipment failure event, and tracks energy and carbon emissions savings, helping to satisfy requirements for corrective action response, performance measurement and emissions reduction reporting.

Optimum Energy also conducts an HVAC plant energy analysis, provides a capital improvement plan and calculates return-on-investment for every project, as well as documentation of plant operation and training for facility managers at the time of implementation. These activities support investigation and analysis and implementation credits.

Optimum Energy is the first company to use a scalable software approach to deliver advanced control technologies that reduce HVAC energy consumption up to 60 percent without sacrificing occupant comfort. Reliable, third-generation OptimumHVAC software combined with ongoing, Web-based performance monitoring ensure energy savings last for decades.

Optimum Energy’s solutions are being employed in a wide range of buildings, including: commercial high rise office towers, schools and universities, data centers, federal and state government facilities, hotels, casinos, airports, medical facilities and shopping centers.