Performed by Sustainable Energy Partners

Abstract
In January 2009, Sustainable Energy Partners (SEP) began the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process for the Fillmore Center; a multifamily commercial property located in San Francisco, California.  In March 2010, SEP began the final submittal process and is currently awaiting approval of the project site’s compliance with LEED standards as set forth by the US Green Building Council.  The following document outlines the primary environmental and economic benefits, as well as the project challenges and highlights SEP encountered while satisfying LEED points for a multifamily commercial property.

Project Site Background
The Fillmore Center site is comprised of high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise towers located on four city blocks.  Construction of the property was completed in 1991 and is currently managed by the Laramar Group.  Each block contains residential and commercial spaces, shared parking garages, lobbies and service corridors.  Ninety percent of the Fillmore Center’s 1.6 million square foot area is allocated to 1,114 residential housing units.  The remaining area is occupied by retail and office space.

LEED Credit Overview
Achieving LEED certification for the Fillmore Center required investigation, analysis, planning and management of multiple site-specific improvements and management plans.  SEP implemented a multi-disciplined approach to satisfy all LEED credits encompassing environmental, social, and economic benefits.  The table below lists the distribution of credit types as a percentage of all credits the Fillmore Center project applied for.

Project Highlights
At the start of January 2009, SEP began the LEED certification by conducting the retro-commissioning process for the Fillmore Center site.  To create a feasible and valid energy map, SEP worked closely with Fillmore Center staff.  An accurate picture of the Fillmore Center’s energy consumption would serve as a foundation on which to develop or enhance existing Energy Conservation Methods (ECMs) previously implemented at the site.  Data loggers and other measuring devices were used to ensure that all on-site equipment was performing to the manufacturers’ specifications.  Facility operational data, equipment specifications, architectural and mechanical drawings and all available utility data were subject to analysis.  The energy map was comprehensive and required collecting cost and energy usage data for all boilers, hot water heaters, dryers, common area lighting, pumps, elevators, air handlers (AHU), HVAC, and residential appliances/plug loads.

The energy map indicated that the greatest rates of energy consumption were linked to natural gas, residential electricity and common area maintenance electricity use.  Drilling down into each area of energy usage, SEP identified which appliances, facility operations protocol, system controls, timing devices and mechanical equipment needed modification or replacement to satisfy LEED requirements.   The processed energy data allowed SEP to approach the improvements phase with a clear understanding of how specific ECMs would influence overall energy consumption.

To ensure ECMs were successfully implemented, SEP engaged social and economic analysis of existing and planned capital improvements for each LEED category.  In some cases the suggested ECMs were well received by the Fillmore Center staff and residents, such as replacing certain common area lighting fixtures with lower wattage fluorescent and LED bulbs.  In one instance simply installing motion sensors in the parking garages reduced energy and utility cost substantially.  Investment proposals included the installation of new boilers, retrofitting lighting fixtures, installing regenerative elevator drives, installing timers on the fountain pumps and putting CO₂ sensors in the parking garages.  Some improvements were implemented quickly, while others were scheduled for future dates.  For example, two boilers were replaced with higher efficiency models with three more scheduled for installation by the end of 2010.

Transportation
Satisfying the Sustainable Sites credit required investigations into the transportation methods used by Fillmore Center residents, as well as a close analysis and management for onsite landscaping. To address the transportation credit, SEP needed valid data pertaining to the commuting habits of the Fillmore Center residents.  SEP positioned survey personnel at strategically chosen locations throughout the project site to collect raw data from Fillmore Center residents.  Because the credits accounted for greater than three quarters of the Sustainable Sites category, it was paramount SEP ensured valid survey results and statistically sound sampling methods.  Survey analysis indicated that the Fillmore Center’s proximity to downtown San Francisco, coupled with the area’s public transit services, was ideal to satisfy alternative commuting methods for the 3,500 residents.  Furthermore, SEP helped augment existing transportation services by implementing an additional downtown shuttle service running on bio-diesel fuel.

Water Fixtures
In 2006, the Fillmore Center replaced all toilets, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and shower head fixtures.  In total, 5,878 fixtures were replaced with new higher-efficiency models.  Although the Fillmore Center had already been enjoying a 12 percent average yearly decrease in water utilities since the installation, SEP was able to quantify the actual amount of water saved and found the new fixtures reduced the water consumption by approximately one third when compared to the replaced fixtures.

The installation of water efficient fixtures was beneficial to LEED credit accrual and also provided major environmental and economic benefits.  The previously installed fixtures also helped ensure the ability to apply for certain LEED points.

Conclusion
LEED certification for the Fillmore Center required careful planning and management across a variety of disciplines and trades.  Although some ECM had been implemented prior to starting the LEED process, data collection and analysis were still necessary to achieve credit for each LEED category.  The LEED process as a whole greatly enhanced the information needed to make sound environmental, social and financial decisions that affect the Fillmore Center and its stakeholders.

About the Author
Ryan Pardini recently joined the products division at Sustainable Energy Partners to help develop their solar racking system.  In 2005 he began his professional career working for an environmental consulting and general engineering firm and gained experience as a project manager.  Ryan holds a MBA degree from San Francisco State University and a BA degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Cruz.