BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — The benefits of building green can be wide-ranging — from increasing operating efficiency in facilities, enhancing property values, and improving employee health and productivity to generating good community and shareholder relations. Realizing these benefits, however, can be easier said than done. To assist building owners and facility managers, Siemens Building Technologies Inc. is offering its Green Building web page, www.us.sbt.siemens.com/bau/solutions/energy/greenbuilding.asp, a source of information to aid visitors on how to “go green.”

The Green Building page is modular and divided into six windows designed to help visitors easily navigate the site and find pertinent information fast. Beginning with the introductory “About” window, the company’s Energy and Environmental Solutions (EES) team describes how Siemens can help identify and implement systems and procedures to achieve virtually any organization’s green building visions and goals.

In the Life-Cycle window, EES experts outline Siemens’ holistic approach to green buildings which begins with well-planned design and construction to ensure as-specified environmental quality over the long term through sound and effective operating and maintenance practices. Existing facilities are addressed as well, and the page offers owners insight into renewal approaches that will support greening strategies.

Many organizations are looking to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification for new or existing facilities. The LEED Certification window offers an in-depth portal into the universe of LEED certification and what it takes to achieve this designation.

The site also offers: a LEED Certification tool, a Greenhouse Gas Calculator, and the Green Guide for Healthcare tool-kit. The LEED tool provides users with an overview of the key LEED rating systems and the Siemens Building Technologies solutions and services that can be used to meet and obtain LEED certification. The Greenhouse Gas Calculator is designed to reveal how reducing electricity or fossil fuel consumption will reduce a facilities’ overall environmental impact. Aimed specifically at the health care industry, the Green Guide for Healthcare addresses both green construction and green operations of health care facilities.

Also available is a link to the executive summary of the SmartMarket Report, “Greening of Corporate America,” and registration to receive the full report.

Publication date: 01/07/2008