Energy & Environment

Increasingly, during the last decade, accompanying rising energy cost, stricter laws regarding the reduction of the energy signature of buildings are introduced and lead to either complex reworking of infrastructure or gradual loss of resale value due to the rising cost of running and maintaining a property. For newly designed buildings the options are clear and although upfront costs of attaining a low energy consumption building (certified or not) and steering towards a sustainable design might seem high, it is the most effective way to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a property throughout its life cycle. We demonstrate to our customers the advantages of using modern technology materials and we calculate the costs of each choice for them in order to comprehend their return on investment (ROI). There are many options for reducing energy consumption but configuring the ideal mix is where we excel while proving this with numbers. And they say numbers don’t lie.

For existing buildings, we offer the option to assess and review their energy signature through the use of tools such as thermal cameras, negative pressure suction pumps to asses seal level, power consumption metering and customized calculation sheets using purpose designed algorithms. Through data collection and analysis, the energy cost of operating a building is calculated precisely and we proceed to suggestions for upgrades accompanied by investment appraisals as well as several alternatives depending on technical feasibility, financial capability and return rates that make sense.

The objective is to reduce the cost of operation for occupiers, counter property outgoings and increase attractiveness for future tenants or purchasers attaining a better energy rating level without compromising functionality and effectiveness of the systems in use. The larger and more complex a building is, the greater the savings in operating expenditure. Pertaining to the majority of professional building usage models, this can influence marketability significantly, making or breaking a deal. Correspondingly, residential properties with bad energy ratings will be consistently rejected by the market as the cost of energy rises and new laws are introduced and consumer knowledge increases.

Metrax offers a wide range of options in the field of energy management both for new to be constructed and existing buildings that need assessment and upgrades. Read more below about our services and gain an insight on how to start.

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Existing & Old Buildings

Certifications and Electronic IDs
Energy Consumption Management & Consulting
Energy class planning & upgrades
  • Legal requirements verification and compliance with specifications needed for desired certification
  • Energy Class ID issuing
  • Optional independent authority certificate for your building analyzing its energy consumption centers in detail
  • Assessment and measurement of thermal loss & energy dissipation
  • Seal Level Testing (e.g. Thermal Loss test with negative pressure pump)
  • Heating & Cooling Efficiency Analysis based on thermal status findings
  • Electricity consumption (report & analysis)
  • Lighting Assessment (Effectiveness & Consumption)
  • Electronic and mechanical systems analysis and consumption reports based on usage patterns  (E.g. Computers, systems, other electric or electronic equipment & machinery)
  • Consulting and Upgrades to reduce cost of energy and CO2 emissions
  • Identification & Selection of materials (thermal insulation) and systems used for upgrades
  • Project Management & Implementation of Selected Upgrades (Installation)
  • Verification of installed upgrades efficiency & Report
  • Specialty ICT consulting on the improvement of energy consumption of IT, Communication and electronic systems deployed.
  • Energy Efficiency Guidelines and User Training based on predefined consumption schemes

NOTE: Depending on the current building use and systems installed, the complexity of an upgrade project can vary significantly. In many instances, there might be systems of different purpose installed in an internal space that “compete” with each other. This for example, can range from an exhaust ventilation system acting against a heating / cooling system to several heat sources (machinery) that need cooling through secondary parallel air and water loops. Thus, apart from the general information contained here, it is recommended to contact us and discuss your case in person in order to identify your specific needs.

To Be Constructed (TBC) Buildings

With TBC buildings, we have the advantage of steering the project to the appropriate direction from the beginning. There is no infrastructure and frame in place so we design everything according to customer needs either strictly to specs or through our Open Paths Design (OPD) approach for ultimate expandability in the future. Our advice is to target the closest approximation possible to a fully sustainable and systems proof building design and in this respect, Metrax provides the following service options:

Sustainable Buildings - Design and Deployment

Sustainable building design is the evolution of the term “Green” and adheres to all the same principles that imply reduced energy consumption and better integration with the environment. The level of sustainability attained in any new design depends on many factors while deep analysis and study is required to arrive at a definitive conclusion of investment appraisal and decision making on the options available to the property owners. Benefits, are both tangible (i.e. lower operating cost) and intangible with longer effects such as improved company image in case of commercial buildings due to increased sensitivity to preserving the environment. There are specific materials to be used under special installation guidance and this might increase upfront costs that in turn, need to be justified by means of reduced TOC throughout the lifecycle of the structure and the added value of the intangibles.

In extension, we have Bioclimatic Building Design which takes consideration of the environment and integration of the structure to it a step further, also counting on users’ behavior patterns into the system to achieve potential performance employing the use of passive systems in conjunction with active tools for fine tuning and control.

Since these topics are of great breadth and depth we recommend to contact us in order to receive a presentation tailored to your specific needs rather than reading up pages upon pages of material and general guidelines. What counts most for any prospective sustainable building owner is the balance of cost vs. benefits and in the end Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) through the property lifecycle. This is our job to demonstrate and prove in numbers, both before a project begins and after completion through performance measurements and fine tuning.

Examples of implementing sustainable building design principles:
Benefits
  • Careful site selection and orientation of the building
  • Modern and Innovative construction materials with reduced environmental impact and higher passive performance
  • Efficient Heating Solutions (Heat Pumps, Geothermal, Solar Power Assisted)
  • Naturally Balanced Aeration
  • Natural Light Management to reduce cost of lighting through optimization (simulate window openings vs. heat dissipation, cost of buying and cost of energy in the long term)
  • Green Roofs to improve insulation and add to aesthetics. They can be used creatively to add to the functionality. For example a roof garden depending on location (noise, weather) can be used as space for recreation or other activities, (E.g. recreation or festivities)
  • Efficient water management (tap funnels, motion sensing taps, toilets, water collectors,)
  • Smart Management Features integrating all systems (e.g. Security, ITC) to one automated control center for increased energy efficiency and functionality
  • Renewable power sources exploitation to reduce costs. (solar, wind, water)
  • Highly Reduced Energy Consumption (up to 70%)
  • Seamless integration to the external environment creating a peaceful atmosphere that can improve mood, creativity and productivity
  • Building surface area subsidization
  • Improved aesthetics (i.e. Green Roofs)
  • Better Internal environment quality (air, acoustics, moisture, lighting) that increases user comfort and productivity.
  • Increased future sustainability and functionality potential through OPD through its provisional approach of seamlessly integrating additional subsystems in the future
  • Higher Building Value


Note:
The list is indicative only and there a lot more points of interference on a building where new technologies and materials can increase sustainability.

Environmental Management

Aside the energy related possibilities offered by the environment of a specific construction site, there are other aspects of it that need to be managed or exploited to increase the value and functionality of a building. Metrax services in this field are category based and cover many areas including, but not limited to, the following:

Building Interfacing to the surroundings Location Value, Geography & Topography Safety
  • Special Building Access & Exits (gates, internal and external parking lots)
  • Disability Access to Premises
  • Loading & Unloading docks (noise, access, aesthetics)
  • Water sources (to use for heating – cooling energy, production needs or irrigation)
  • Telecom Interfacing
  • Main entrance special purpose design (e.g. High level of security, access control)
  • Geographic, Topographic and Geological Analysis to assess the most efficient method of construction for the specific area (i.e. Legal adherence, value, endurance to local weather, aesthetics, etc.)
  • Due diligence, & Reporting (Surface Area Factor, location limitations)
  • Commercial exploitation (E.g. shops or other income generating use at the ground floor and coherency. I.e. space for signs to be the same)
  • Sound proofing
  • Increased security (concrete walls of certain spots i.e. shops within the main building)
  • Panic Rooms & Disaster Recovery (i.e. in earthquake zones)
  • Air purification
  • Building humidity levels and “breathing” ability

 

Hazardous Materials & Hazards Assessment

Upon request, we arrange the survey of your building and surrounding environment and produce a Hazards Assessment Report for legal or own technical use (i.e. Work Safety standards). The assessment will include the following check points:

Hazardous and Deleterious materials 1
Other Points of Assessment 2
  • Age degrading materials that can cause structural problems through chemical reactions and corrosion
  • Materials which are dangerous to the environment and human health
  • Materials that are not dangerous or problem causing on their own but are not chemically compatible with other materials and can create problems through improper use and installation (i.e. Calcium aluminate cement, calcium chloride, asbestos, cadmium, exposed steel)
  • Toxic construction materials
  • Dangerous materials used on equipment, furniture, etc.
  • Polluted ground (e.g. From own cause or through external pollution sources)
  • Air pollution (e.g. From within or external pollution sources)
  • Noise pollution (e.g. From within or from external noise sources)
  • Water pollution
  • Emissions and waste control (e.g. industrial or hospital or hotel or F&B)
  • HVAC Systems (insulation materials containing fiber & silica crystals or bacteria based)
  • Higher Building Value
1

Hazardous and deleterious materials might exist in older buildings and need to be replaced due to new legal requirements or are strictly excluded from use in a new construction as clearly stated in scope of work. We perform an investigation and report on the existence of such materials or improper use of chemically incompatible combinations that can cause structural, environmental or health problems.

2

If any Hazards are detected within your premises or their surrounding environment, we can recommend appropriate action or be assigned to manage their removal and replacement in order to eliminate the Hazards and achieve legal compliance. For further information, please contact us to arrange a visit to your site.

Certifications

Programs for the achievement of certification  by BREEAM or LEED are available in collaboration with our premium Mechanical Engineering partners that are specialized and highly experienced in this field. Due to the complexity and challenging nature of such a process interested parties are encouraged to contact us in order to discuss their specific needs.

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