Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

Sustainable design principles include the ability to:

• optimize site potential;
• minimize non-renewable energy consumption;
• use environmentally preferable products;
• protect and conserve water;
• enhance indoor environmental quality; and
• optimize operational and maintenance practices.

Utilizing a sustainable design philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and tradeoffs. Such an integrated approach positively impacts all phases of a building's life-cycle, including design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

Sponaugle Construction Services began as a spin off to a successful mechanical and electrical contracting business which gives us a unique perspective as a construction manager and builder. We fully understand the impact of poor performing systems (building and mechanical/electrical) on building occupants, users and resultant energy costs for the operators and owners.

Focus on LEEP; not LEED®
Our company's experience is less about LEED® certification (although we've worked with clients through the process) and is more about what we call LEEP – Leadership in Energy and Environmental PERFORMANCE. For us, a building can be designed to do anything but whether it actually does it is another thing. We have consistently been an advocate and resource for clients who want to ensure they are building efficient and effective facilities for the long haul. After all, the vast majority of the money spent on a facility will be in ongoing operations. . . . well after the capital dollars are a distant memory.

We stay current on the latest construction methods and materials for optimal building performance. For example, when we built Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory (aka Crocker-West Project); it was the first project in State College to utilize 100% pre-cast concrete construction. This construction method allowed 120,000sf building to be erected in about 1/4 the time of conventional construction would have taken, thereby saving the Owner time and money, and avoiding costly winter conditions. It is registered for LEED® certification and is striving for Gold. The facility's sustainable components include rain water re-use, energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, alternative paving materials, recycled materials as well as many other green solutions.