Don't Miss Your Chance to Apply for the EBie Awards!

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

The EBie Awards are an annual opportunity for green building and sustainable pros from all over the nation.  The criteria for the competition are developing impressive sustainability solutions for existing buildings, from waste reduction and energy savings to improved water use and lighting efficiency.  Don't miss your chance to submit an innovative retrofit project before entries close on April 4, 2016!  

The EBie Mission

The EBies take a fresh approach to improving the sustainability of buildings across the country, celebrating the unsung heroes of the retrofit market.  The annual national juried competition recognizes improved environmental performance in existing buildings among building operators, facilities managers, owners, engineers, retro-commissioning agents and other professionals who conceived and implemented the work. Focus areas include energy, water, operations, materials use, lighting, portfolio-wide improvements, and tenant engagement.

Award Categories

1. THE ALL-ROUNDER: PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES– The most improved building across multiple sustainability categories. Key Metrics: Source Energy Intensity, potable water, storm water runoff, waste, materials, indoor environmental quality, and occupant engagement. Suggested Team Members: Owner, Operator.

2. ALL TOGETHER NOW: PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE ACROSS A PORTFOLIO– The most improved portfolio across multiple sustainability categories.  Addressing more categories improves the portfolio's chances of winning. Key Metrics: Energy, water, waste management, stormwater, materials use, indoor environmental quality, and tenant engagement. Suggested Team Members: Owner or Third-Party Manager, Director of Operations.

3. THE SMOOTH OPERATOR: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXCELLENCE– The most improved building across multiple sustainability categories achieved solely through improved operations and maintenance and/or retrocommissioning. Key Metrics: Source Energy Intensity, potable water, waste, materials, and indoor environmental quality. Suggested Team Members: Operator and/or Retrocommissioning Agent, Owner.

4. POWER TO THE PEOPLE: EXCEPTIONAL ENERGY SAVINGS– The greatest percentage reduction in building energy use. Key Metrics: Source Energy Intensity.  Two awards will be considered in the category: one for greatest percentage reduction; and the other for a reduction of 30% or more where the project finishes with a Portfolio Manager Rating of 90 or above (or qualifies for LEED EBOM EA Credit 1 for 15 points). Suggested Team Members: Operator or Engineer, Owner, Operator.

5. SHINE A LIGHT ON ME: THE BEST LIGHTING RETROFIT– The greatest percentage reduction in building lighting energy consumption or lighting power density. Key Metrics: Lighting energy consumption, power density, and quality. Suggested Team Members: Lighting Designer, Owner.

6. TAKE ME TO THE RIVER: WINNING WATER SAVINGS– The greatest percentage reduction in indoor and outdoor potable water use. Key Metrics: Per capita potable water use. Suggested Team Members: Operator or Plumbing Engineer, Owner, Operator.

7. IT TAKES A VILLAGE: COMMERCIAL TENANT PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS– The most improved commercial tenant space across multiple sustainability categories. Key Metrics: Source Energy Intensity, waste, materials, indoor environmental quality, and employee engagement. Suggested Team Members: Your Choice.

8. VERDANT BRAINIAC: GREEN RENOVATION INNOVATION– The most scalable green renovation project, particularly one that is innovative and overcame significant challenges.  Demonstration of scalability may include implementation across a portfolio of buildings. Key Metrics: Source Energy Intensity, potable water, storm water, and indoor environmental quality. Suggested Team Members: Your Choice.

The deadline for submission is next Monday, April 4th, so act swiftly!  Click here to learn more about the contest in general.  For rules, follow this link. For info about the jury, click here. And finally, if you have questions– see the FAQs.