As a California developer, you want to avoid risks when carrying out a building project, and you know well that the safest way to accomplish that is by following an ordered sequence of phases. Critical phases, if you will, for all of them are necessary to complete a successful development project. What are those phases?
This is the second installment of our blog series on how to avoid and mitigate risks in development projects in California through energy planning. It explains how important is to organize each project phase around energy planning, and why this is a safe road to success.
Follow the shortcuts to read more about this key topic:
- How Energy Planning Impacts the Cost and Value of a Development Project
- 4 Critical Phases for a Successful Development Project in California
- The 3 Top Energy Compliance Risks in Commercial Development across California
- 5 Energy Compliance Mistakes that Will Kill the Bottom Line of a Development Project
- How to Be Energy Compliant Without Impacting Your Development Timeline
- Commercial Development in California: Mitigating Energy Compliance Risks
The road to success
Engineers and architects are highly-trained professionals, and even with some variations, that is the main road to success in any development project.
But California’s are not common projects, as developers need to focus more on the energy regulations, and pay attention to detail in this area. We do suggest a somewhat different path. One that helps you to ensure that your projects are energy compliant, and that the risk of unwanted interruptions during construction is fully minimized.
The initial phase is Energy Planning. In fact, there is no way for a project to be successfully done in California without energy efficiency planning. From the inception to the final design documents, every development project must be planned around energy efficiency, high-performance equipment and systems, and integration. You need to use an energy strategy as your project backbone. Remember, this is California, and being energy efficient is part of the backbone of building throughout the entire State. Key point here: Know the energy code well or get expert support.
The following phase is Energy Modeling, in which an energy consultant will “play around” with a number of variables, and determine the most cost-effective solution for your project. Different energy measure values are used with the objective of finding the most efficient overall path. What are your projects’ minimum requirements? Insulation, window efficiency, heating and cooling equipment efficiencies, water heating and solar requirements are just some of the issues that will be addressed through energy modeling. Key point here: The most energy efficient model will have to be satisfactory from both the technical and the approval perspectives.
The third phase for a successful development project is an energy conscious Construction Phase. You must ask yourself and your team: What is the best way to execute each activity to avoid or minimize future risks? The overarching answer is that you do not want to spend resources twice for the same task, and therefore, if project team coordination is strong, so will be the construction process. Key point here: The whole team has to be on board in regard to the energy vision.
The final phase is Inspection. Although permits and approvals have been part of the project from the initial steps, there will also be on-site energy measure testing and verification. These will be done in coordination with your subcontractors and the project team. But if everyone has been working together, the project will pass with flying colors. Key point here: Collaboration among key players is key to passing inspections.
In closure
Four phases; four different sets of tasks to start and finish a project, and to get a new building running smoothly. Incorporating an energy efficiency vision within California Energy Code is the most cost-effective way to minimize development risks.