As consulting engineers, we have always worked creatively to develop cost effective designs to reduce energy consumption and provide improved building environments for our clients.  LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certification has formalized the process to assure that all designers of LEED Certified buildings follow the same principles.
At Comprehensive Engineering, our goal has always been to maximize value to the owner over the entire life of the facility and not to make decisions based solely on initial cost.  The design principles we have used for over 17 years dovetail well with today’s “sustainable designs”.

Our staff is trained in LEED design principles and we have LEED accredited staff members.
We have successfully completed many LEED projects certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and have additional projects currently in design. 

Our approach is to identify energy conservation methods and control strategies based on the building owner’s criteria, budget and system objectives.  Energy cost savings measures are proposed at the beginning of projects for development of conceptual designs. 

We evaluate building HVAC systems utilizing the industry leading Trane Trace 700 energy modeling software.  We have successfully completed many building energy audits, life cycle cost analysis, return on investments, and baseline energy performances using the industry leading Trane Trace 700 energy model analysis software.

Some of the cost effective and creative systems we have considered for energy reductions include:

1. Lighting control systems with occupancy sensors
2. Daylight harvesting
3. Energy efficient light fixtures
4. Instantaneous domestic hot water
5. Solar hot water heating
6. Water efficient plumbing fixtures
7. Various HVAC system control strategies including:
   • Optimal Start / Stop
   • Fan Pressurization
   • Supply air Temperature Reset
   • Demand Control Ventilation
   • Use of Occupancy Sensors and CO2 Sensors
   • Trending and Logging
8. Use of variable speed controllers
9. Staging of compressors and burners
10. Tracking of building use and demands
11. Reset control for air temperatures, water temperatures and ventilation air flow rates
12. Partial load demand considerations for boilers and chillers to optimize energy efficiencies

Sustainable Site designs utilize Low Impact Design or “LID” strategies.  Site layout and storm water management is evaluated to provide Low Impact Design features.  We have utilized asphalt reclamation and porous pavement designs on projects to achieve LEED points towards certification. Our site designs also specify temporary and permanent erosion control measures using “Best Management Practices” such as below the pavement detention systems, infiltration and filtrations systems, sediment traps and erosion control blankets.