Green Property Condition Assessments

A Property Condition Assessment is an evaluation of the current condition of an existing building. It generally involves projections of capital costs for repair and replacement of building components over time – generally 5, 10 or 12 years.

A Green Property Condition Assessment (GPCA) evaluates all the same building elements. However, in addition, the engineer looks for opportunities to save energy, conserve resources, and make the space more habitable – “greener.”

There are various approaches to a GPCA. In its simplest form, the engineer will look for opportunities that are justified with little analysis or calculation. More complex approaches may require a payback analysis, calculation of loads and consumption, analysis of utility bills, and evaluation of funding options (see Criterium Engineers Engineering Advisor: Paying for Green).

There is also a great deal of institutional impetus for building owners to go “green.” The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 has allocated $250,000,000 in grants and loans for energy retrofit and green investments in Section 8, 202, 811, and USDA Section 515 affordable housing. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 also proposes to provide incentives for residential properties and neighborhoods.

Green strategies involve more efficient heating and air-conditioning systems, appliances and lighting fixtures, low VOC paints and sealants, improved windows and heat gain/loss protection, alternative energy sources, water use reduction, recycling, and a variety of other strategies to improve the sustainability and comfort within our built environment. Often, these strategies interact and it is the engineer’s task to develop a program that optimizes the various solutions.

Criterium Engineers is experienced in developing GPCA’s customized to your needs and scope. With over 20 LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED is Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design) and many Certified Energy Managers (CEM) among its more than 150 licensed Professional Engineers, we can assemble a team to meet any challenge.