Education – Copeland Building Envelope Consulting

Cutting Corners Cost 40x More Than Doing It Right

January 29, 2024January 29, 2024Carmen Prantil

Budget will always be a factor. But while looking to save money is often a priority, there can be a right way and a wrong way to approach it. The decisions made upfront during design can have a lasting impact on the value and quality of the finished building.

CopelandBEC recently worked on a single-family residence where this lesson was learned the hard way.

The Importance of Maintenance Planning

January 22, 2024January 15, 2024Carmen Prantil

You get your car inspected every year, schedule annual physicals, and take your pets for regular check-ups. There are actions taken with each of these – changing your oil, getting recommended medical treatment, etc. – that aim to extend the life of what you value. This preventative maintenance is important because it protects what matters most to you.

So why should our buildings be any different?

Energy Use Intensity: What Is EUI and Why Does It Matter?

January 15, 2024January 15, 2024Carmen Prantil

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is an indicator for how energy efficient a building’s design and operations are. EUI is not the same thing as energy use, but understanding the types of energy can help us to better understand the EUI metric.

Understanding Boston’s BERDO 2.0

December 26, 2023December 21, 2023Carmen Prantil

In 2013, the City of Boston enacted the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO), which required all commercial and residential buildings with 35,000 square feet or 35+ units to report their water and energy usage. In 2021, the City adopted a second iteration, referred to as BERDO 2.0.

BERDO 2.0 builds on the first ordinance to not only require annual reporting, but also mandate performance requirements to drive decarbonization.

Boston Facade Ordinance Inspections

December 21, 2023January 15, 2024Carmen Prantil

Big city skylines attract people to metropolises like New York City or Boston year round.

But tall buildings come with additional challenges and risks that owners and property managers have to consider. As we build up, it becomes increasingly important that we protect what’s below – from low-rise buildings to everyday pedestrians.

That’s why Boston passed the Boston Facade Ordinance 9-9.12 in 1995, which requires the exterior walls of buildings meeting certain criteria to undergo periodic inspections.