SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Being Green – No longer just an idea, it is a necessity.
Colburn & Guyette has been involved with many projects in the last several years that have either been LEED projects or have been designed with LEED accreditation and sustainable design as a goal. While foodservice facilities are not currently recognized or otherwise directly referred to in the LEED program, there are many strategies that we employ that help the design team and Owners work toward LEED certification and sustainable, energy efficient designs. Some of the typical strategies include:
- "Energy Star" or "California Energy Commission" - Not all equipment categories can get a rating, in fact there are only a few, but anything that is available with these ratings is specified on all of our projects.
- Water saving equipment – We specify the most efficient units possible for any item that uses water, while at the same time being careful not to adversely affect operations.
- Energy Efficient Lighting – Wherever possible we specify energy efficient lighting with any equipment that has lighting integral to the units. Examples include walk-ins and hoods.
- On Demand Ventilation – We have worked on many projects that have included on demand or variable speed ventilation. We work very closely with the engineering team to develop an exhaust system that meets the Owner's needs, that meets code and that uses only the energy required to exhaust at specific levels of operation. We have successfully used demand ventilation systems.
- Heat Reclamation – Recovering heat generated by refrigeration systems is another area that can help save energy. We work closely with the engineering team to develop strategies and specifications that allow the heat generated by refrigeration units to be recovered for use in other areas or systems.
- Recycling and Waste Management – There are many different strategies with respect to this issue. We work closely with the design team to be sure that our design facilitates the appropriate strategies developed with the Owner. Examples include pulping systems, waste oil recovery systems, composting systems, recycling policies, etc.