If our strategy for this credit involves mandating telecommuting for every employee once a week, which will reduce commuting trips by 20%, will we be required to adjust our Energy Star inputs (fewer # of workers on main shift), thereby reducing our Energy Star score?
Conversely, if telecommuting decreases electrical consumption (which in theory it should), can we potentially increase our energy star score and get the alt transport credits at the same time, just like that?
Dan Ackerstein
PrincipalAckerstein Sustainability, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
819 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 12:13 am
Yes and yes Cody. EAp2 is about how much energy your building uses, controlling for variables like square footage and occupancy. If your occupancy is reduced for any reason, even a good reason like telecommuting, your EStar score should reflect that reality. And if your telecommuting program reduces building energy consumption at the same time it reduces transportation energy consumption, you've just doubled down on carbon emissions reductions. Nice job! Also please note, that although your EStar score may go down, occupancy is one of many variables - I wouldn't expect it to drop precipitously due to a 20% reduction. Particularly because the number of PC's and other variables will likely remain constant. At the same time, energy consumption decreases won't be automatic - you'll have to be careful about behavioral elements like turning off computers when employees are gone to maximize benefits. Good luck with the whole endeavor.