After the U.S. Department of Energy halted its Energy Star program for medical office buildings in 2013, real estate investment trust Welltower developed its own proprietary system to evaluate total building performance.
The company’s Green Arrow Building Certification (GABC) program measures energy, water, waste, indoor air quality, and innovation. Over 230 properties in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. participate in the program each year, with115 properties achieving certification.
The GABC program has helped identify areas of improvement and items in need of corrections. Most properties have seen a 1%-12% reduction in energy use as a result of the program. Energy, water, and waste usage are tracked monthly, and reports are sent to all real estate managers and engineers for review. Any buildings with an increased usage of 5% or more must be reviewed for probable causes to explain variances.
Welltower contracted with a third-party energy consultant to develop the program. Green Arrow was based on the foundation of both Energy Star certification and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB).
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2020
Standards for reducing risk of COVID-19 in senior living communities
AIA releases strategies and illustrations for the sector.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2020
Guide presents benefits of public-private partnerships
Discusses process from project conception to construction.
Codes and Standards | Jul 1, 2020
COVID-19 public health guidelines may be downplaying building systems solutions
Emphasis on cleaning surfaces overlooks importance of mechanical infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
WELL building institute steps up health safety rating for hotels and resorts
Certification body forms advisory group of industry leaders and health experts.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 30, 2020
Affordable housing comes to the Bay Area and this is not the end of cities.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
Mandated building retrofits are necessary to meet climate crisis
Performance standards could greatly reduce GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
New buildings can fall short of designed performance
Similar structures can produce different energy usage results.
Codes and Standards | Jun 25, 2020
Arc offers tools, analytics for safe workplace re-entry
Platform helps sustainability teams to collect data, benchmark progress, measure impact, and improve performance.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2020
New API enables design and construction technology platforms to connect
Construction Specifications Institute offers “digital classification engine.”
Codes and Standards | Jun 23, 2020
State lawmakers encouraging transition to heat pumps for building heating
Policies aim to replace gas heaters with electric units.