Churn

The International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) has studied the effects of change on the cost of facility management.²⁰ The Churn rate, that constant change over of tenant space can be as high as 41 percent. The cost to reorganize office space is well documented. Raised floor systems have a great advantage to building owners as this system is flexible and provides easy retrofits for building owners. Re-arranging offices, moving wires and cables, adding sockets is as easy as swapping out a solid floor panel with a panel with wire access or an infill panel to replace the moved diffuser panel. Because the power sources and air distribution system are terminated in a flexible raised floor, there is no need to core drill through a slab or move a power pole to renovate an office layout.

Part of a LEED® strategy for environmental design

As part of an integrated thermal delivery system, LEED® 2009 IEQ Credit: Controllability of Systems - Thermal Comfort 6.2 mentions floor diffusers as one means to allow individuals to adjust and control their own comfort level in an indoor environment. In addition, UFADs also provide LEED® credits in numerous other categories. Most systems are made from recycled materials and in addition, they qualify for using low-emitting materials. These systems increase ventilation, are energy efficient and provide individualized thermal comfort.

CHOOSING FOR ENERGY SAVINGS THROUGH AN INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY

The relationship of all of these technologies is that they all allow for energy savings and opportunities to expand the professionals design vocabulary. Designers can select a number of strategies to make a building use less energy. It is a collection of many components that create an energy-efficient building system. Professionals can choose the means to answer the call from the President to meet one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century - how to save energy both in our offices and in our homes.

"When it comes to saving money and growing our economy, energy efficiency isn't just low hanging fruit; it's fruit lying on the ground," said Secretary Chu. "The most prosperous, competitive economies of the 21st century will be those that use energy-efficiently. It's time for America to lead the way."²¹

 

 

Celeste Allen Novak teaches as an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University and is principal at RizzoloBrown & Novak Architects.