Building Certification for Sustainable Construction

Ecological requirements for buildings are tough: Maximum energy savings must be achieved to enhance a building's overall energy balance. A number of certification systems can attest that your building has met these goals. However, the energy savings potential that can be achieved with these systems are not properly accounted for. The “eu.bac” system now closes this gap.

BREEAM
The “Environmental Assessment Method” (EAM) for buildings was originally developed by the “Building Research Establishment” (BRE), a British research institute, under the name BREEAM. BRE has certified and operates more than 100,000 buildings in 15 countries outside Great Britain. This makes BREEAM the world's leading and most widely applied certification method for buildings.

DGNB
“German Society for Sustainable Building” (DGNB): The task of this organization is to develop and promote ways and solutions for the sustainable planning, construction and use of buildings. The DGNB evaluates quality over the complete life cycle of the building. When the specified criteria are fulfilled through the standard, DGNB awards bronze, silver and gold level certificates. DGNB also offers advance certification during the planning phase.

LEED
“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) is a classification system for ecological construction developed by the “U.S. Green Building Council.” The aim of this certification standard is to define a high-quality, ecological method of construction for healthier, more environmentally friendly and more profitable buildings. Buildings are evaluated by awarding points for individual criteria. The sum of points awarded determines how the building is classified for certification.

Since the beginning of 2013, eu.bac has offered the “eu.bac” system audit for BACS building automation systems for energy-efficient and sustainable operation of building automation systems. Well designed and managed systems not only achieve the desired comfort, they also simultaneously optimize energy requirements. The process is based on existing standards (EN 15232, DIN V 18599) and has been scientifically investigated by the TU Dresden. Planners, investors and property owners use the system audits to save energy and operating costs over the entire life cycle of the building and ensure efficient and sustainable building operation. eu.bac certification guarantees users that the products and systems used in the construction of their building comply with the European standards for energy efficiency – such as EN 15232.

WAGO – Member of eu.bac
In joining the European Building Automation and Controls Association (“eu.bac”), WAGO strategically expanded the scope of its building automation operations: Seven WAGO staff members from the firm’s Project Sales Building Automation division are part of a group of specially trained “eu.bac” system auditors. Over the course of an audit, they provide transparency and fully inform operators about the state of their technology. eu.bac system certification helps save energy and operating costs and ensures energy-efficient and sustainable operation of the HVAC, lighting and shading systems installed in the building.