Using Data Loggers to Meet LEED® Existing Building Certification Credits

Green building is no longer a small niche industry in the United States. Energy engineers, energy auditors, building commissioners, project managers, architects and designers all recognize that energy and resource-efficient approaches to construction and operation not only make better and more responsible use of materials and energy, they usually save money in the long run.

Though much focus is on new construction, much can be done for existing buildings to increase efficiency and lower operational costs. The US Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance certification program was developed specifically to allow these buildings to attain recognition through documentation of building performance improvements.

Since data collection and documentation is a cornerstone of the LEED certification, it’s important to be aware of the data logging tools available for such applications. Choosing the best data loggers will make collecting data and providing documentation of building performance easy and affordable.

The ideal tools for such applications are battery-powered energy saving data loggers. These devices can monitor, log, and document equipment performance and environmental conditions unaided, for months at a time, and they are cost-effective and simple to use.

This guide will provide information about how data loggers can make satisfying many LEED for Existing Buildings O&M credits. Whether you are just getting started with the LEED certification process by performing an assessment of an existing building’s performance, or are plunging into documenting performance improvements for submission to the U.S. Green Building Council, battery-powered data loggers are the right tools for the job.