If you are a building owner or overseeing a new build, you’ve probably heard a lot about energy efficiency and ASTM standards. There are many moving parts when it comes to a new commercial build, and sometimes things like ongoing inspections and quality checks are missed with all of the other construction boxes to check. But we urge you to think about your buildings’ efficiency throughout the lifespan of your building, starting before the first nail is hammered into place.
Before Construction Starts
Before you start a new construction project, it’s best to make sure all of your plans, systems, and utilities are planned precisely for the most energy-efficient building possible. This is a great time to bring in a professional to inspect the plans because nothing has been completed yet. You can still adjust plans before any materials or man hours are used for the project. Certified professionals can identify gaps in building plans that will lead to a loss in efficiency, so before you get started, have a professional help you build the best building possible.
During Construction
If you have already started construction on a new build, it’s not too late to have an inspection performed on the space. Getting an inspection during construction can save time, money, and headaches down the road. Our professionals will walk through with you and your team to ensure the building is up to ASTM standards. If you don’t know what ASTM standards outline, we wrote a detailed post here to help you make sense of some of the standards and what they mean. We can also perform inspections during construction to ensure that the building will be air and water tight once it is completed. It’s incredibly important to get these tests done before or during construction to avoid invasive repairs later that will cost even more time and money.
After the Building is Complete
Before tenants move in and the building is abuzz with people, it’s a good idea to get the building inspected to ensure everything is as it should be before people move in. Encountering issues with the building systems after it’s inhabited creates problems with not only the building, but the businesses, and logistics of scheduling the right people to get the building repaired in a timely fashion. You want to address issues when the building is still new before utility bills are due.
Every Few Years
Inspections are never a bad idea to better your energy efficiency to make sure your building is operating as efficiently as possible. Especially if you see spikes in utility bills from month to month, an inspection can identify where the problem areas are, and the best course of action. As buildings age, settling and changes in the building can create opportunities for air and water to enter the building, so ensuring your building is always functioning at its peak is crucial to keeping costs low and the building comfortable for people inside of the building all year long.
If You Suspect Moisture in Your Building
Ongoing maintenance is important to the overall quality of your building, but inspections are absolutely necessary if you think you suspect water or air flows through your building. Assess the issues as soon as you notice changes in utility bills or the comfort of the building, stained ceiling tiles, condensation, high humidity, etc.. These could point to larger issues hiding inside the walls of the building, invisible to the naked eye. Scheduling an inspection and efficiency survey will give you a better picture of what exactly is going on inside the building and an outline for next steps to improve the building.
The efficiency and comfort of your commercial building is not something you have to live with. Inspections and repairs help keep your building in great condition as the building ages and weather impacts its structural integrity. Best building maintenance practice takes a holistic approach to management. There are plenty of other services beneficial for your building from the Building Envelope Allies team.
Other Services beneficial for your building from Building Envelope Allies
- Performing Energy Audits
- Educating Customers
- Quality Control Inspections & Verifications
- Design Consulting
- Infrared Scanning
- Blower Door Air Leakage Testing
- Duct Leakage Testing
- Building Diagnostics (solving high humidity, condensation, water leaks, drafts, etc.)
If your building is in pre-construction, construction, post-build or up for ongoing maintenance, you can trust the professionals at Building Envelope Allies to walk you through the best course of action for your building. To get started, we welcome you to contact us or request a proposal for your next inspection.