News

Many new buildings that are constructed have a LEED-certified label attached to them. Generally speaking, this means that these buildings were constructed with a green building mentality. To be able to do this, the architects and engineers who design these buildings usually carry a LEED Accreditation. Below, let's take a closer look at what goes into a LEED Accreditation and how it can be beneficial.

Read the rest of entry »

Optimizing your building site is a great way to save money and keep your property sustainable. By considering building orientation, landscaping, and rehabilitating existing structures, you could help maximize your building's sustainable potential. 

Read the rest of entry »

Chances are, you see the words, "LEED Certified" fairly often. It can be plastered on the wall of a building or listed as a benefit for a new structure. But what exactly does a LEED certification mean, and how does a building become LEED Certified? Below we will take an in-depth look at what exactly it takes to qualify as a LEED-Certified building and the benefits associated with LEED.

Read the rest of entry »

The most significant component of sustainable building design is having a renewable energy source. Simply being able to create electricity from a renewable source is not only more energy efficient, but can save money over time. Plus, renewable energy sources are environmentally friendly and do not leave a big carbon footprint, if any at all. Below we will examine some of the more popular renewable energy sources.

Read the rest of entry »

At the heart of Gausman & Moore we live and breathe sustainable design. Our team of engineers is dedicated to creating sustainable concepts and utilizing renewable energy as often as possible. While it may seem to be the new, trendy approach to building, we must still look at why sustainable engineering is important. Let's take a closer look as to why green design is both a practical option and necessary for a better future.

Read the rest of entry »

One of our best renewable resources is available to us just outside our windows. Using natural sunlight in your building is a great way to stay green while using sustainable design concepts. Natural sunlight not only improves the mood and morale of the people residing within the building, but it can lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

Read the rest of entry »

Solar water heaters rely on the sun to heat the water provided to your home or building. These systems are reliable and relatively straightforward. At the core, a solar water heater is reliant on the solar collector and storage tank. The collector is an insulated box, usually with a dark interior, that contains tubes that allow for water flow. The solar collector catches the sun's rays and transforms them into heat. The storage tank simply holds the heated water. From here, the functionality of the solar water heater depends on the type.

Read the rest of entry »

A Zero Energy Building, often seen abbreviated as ZEB, is a building where the amount of imported energy is offset by the amount of exported energy. The building can be a stand-alone building, part of a network, or even part of a larger campus or community. Typically, the amount of energy imported and exported is measured annually. The methodology used to import and export energy can come from various power sources.

Read the rest of entry »

When embarking on the expansion of your business, you may be considering constructing a purpose-built factory, warehouse, or office park that will ideally improve productivity as well as support your bottom line. And increasing the bottom line includes ensuring your building is saving you money in energy costs. The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering experts at Gausman and Moore will work with the project's team members to build an energy model of your building in the pre-construction phase. This will help streamline the building process as well as help to deliver an efficient and cost-effective property. Gausman and Moore will explain just how will this application help you make the right decisions with your budget.

Read the rest of entry »

Are you considering the possibility of incorporating a sustainable design into your business’s new building? Do you wonder what impact going green may have on the success of your business in the future? A sustainable design that uses renewable energy and other resources does have quite a few advantages.

Read the rest of entry »

The first shovels full of dirt were ceremoniously moved in May at the site of the new St. Louis County Government Service Center in Virginia, MN. Once complete, the 63,000-square-foot, $19 million facility will provide an ideal facility for County staff and taxpayers. Gausman & Moore, working with DSGW Architects, provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for the project.

Read the rest of entry »

When energy from the sun is converted into usable energy, it is done through the science of the photovoltaic process. This process is what most people are referring to when they think of solar energy. Renewable energy sources are becoming more popular by the day as more buildings, both commercial and residential, are turning toward alternative energy. So what exactly are photovoltaics, and how does this science work?

Read the rest of entry »

Creating an aesthetically pleasing building with an energy-efficient mindset can sometimes be challenging. Often it feels as if you cannot accomplish both within the same building. If you start early enough in the design process though, both goals can be accomplished. Relatively new in the field of building design is a process called energy modeling. With energy modeling it is now possible to project what type of energy impact your building will have over a 30-year period.

Read the rest of entry »

Building owners and/or office managers know all too well how much a space’s energy consumption can affect their bottom line. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that roughly 33 percent of energy used in the U.S. is wasted. As energy costs continue to rise, you’ll want to get a handle on your office’s energy consumption to be green and save money. So whether you’re the building owner, property manager, or occupant, reduce your office’s energy bill and lower its carbon footprint with these six energy-saving tips:

Read the rest of entry »

When first developing design ideas for a building, it’s important to understand that everything has a financial value. And conducting a building performance analysis beforehand can help designers understand what decisions can yield a more valuable economic return. Because some building owners have more strict construction budgets, it’s important the design and building process remains within a firm financial budget throughout the project. But how, exactly, is this budget calculated? We’ll give you an inside look at the different cost analyses designers take into consideration when developing building plans.

Read the rest of entry »