Why Build Green?
A Message for Contractors from MCAA President
Dave Kruse, LEED AP...
"The developing green mechanical construction market is a once in a generation opportunity – an opportunity for our industry to do well by doing good. The benefits for the planet and for American energy independence are clear. But what may concern us is whether the business benefits exist for us as contractors. We have a responsibility to our companies and our employees to manage our resources wisely and to look before we leap. Becoming a green contractor is a change in business strategy, and there are risks in learning to work in new ways. Through our association we can work to grow this marketplace without making costly mistakes.
But I, for one, can attest to the benefits of participating in this new green marketplace. I have seen this firsthand in my plumbing business in California. Our company recently completed a large commercial high-rise building where incentives from the local water authority practically paid for the cost of adding a parallel plumbing system to carry reclaimed water throughout the building for appropriate applications. This second system practically doubled the water piping needed for the project, adding significantly to our work while making economic and environmental sense to the owner and the community in a region where water is scarce.
Our company has had to make changes. My brother Andy and I took part of our summer to study for the LEED Accredited Professional exam, and after taking the MCAA LEED-NC prep course and the exam, we each received our LEED-AP designation. We are renovating our company’s offices and applying for a LEED-Platinum Commercial Interiors designation, and learning a lot in the process! We are making a number of internal changes so that we are truly "walking the walk."
And we are confident that transforming our company is the right thing to do. I firmly believe that this is the future direction of our markets – whether new or retrofit, HVAC or plumbing, service or energy. Our UA workforce is supportive, and for that I commend Bill Hite and the UA leadership. Our new focus will help us attract the best students to our student chapters and help us recruit the next generation management workforce as well."
If you are interested in learning more reasons to go green, please contact us at 419-433-7048, or e-mail info@bestuseofenergy.com.
