Using an estimated budget to integrate reused or salvaged materials into the design and specs early on can help prevent costly change orders during construction.
Include a cushion for this credit, in case of changes in design and purchasing. For example, if you are counting on earning a point for using 30% reused furniture, plan for 35% of your budget to be spent on reused furniture to avoid coming up short.
Reused materials may require refurbishing and, in turn, add to costs for the owner. Include refurbishing costs in the total cost or value of the material.
Management companies that install a good BAS can configure the system to bill tenants for actual energy usage, encouraging energy efficiency while improving the cost-effectiveness of the system.
A BAS can offer load-shedding to reduce utility costs at times of peak demand, when power companies offer financial incentives for commercial utility customers to cut back on power usage in order to prevent brown-outs.
Using wireless technology with BAS upgrades will help to minimize costs. BAS should be able to integrate with other building automation control systems. Consider BACnet-compatible or other open-source communication protocol for better integration into the existing system. (See Resources for more on BACnet.)
Typically, the cost premium for this credit is low—if product specifications are made early. On the other hand, if LEED requirements are not bid early in the process, or if you start work on the credit after materials have been ordered, the cost can go up. There can also be an additional soft cost from the contractor for researching and tracking compliant products.
