Green Building & Energy Services

Sustainable building practices and energy efficiency have been part of NAC’s practice since the beginning. While green building and energy consulting represent a focused portion of our overall service offering, they reflect a genuine commitment to high-performance buildings that runs through everything NAC does — from how we evaluate existing conditions in a PCA to how we assess capital needs in a LIHTC rehabilitation.

NAC’s green building and energy services are available as standalone engagements or as integrated components of a broader due diligence scope. For affordable housing developers navigating state QAP requirements, for HUD-assisted projects pursuing green program incentives, or for building owners looking to benchmark and improve energy performance, NAC brings practical, cost-effective guidance without the overhead of a large sustainability consulting firm.

Green Building Certification Consulting

NAC has guided projects through green building certification across multiple programs and property types — from affordable multifamily housing to a luxury resort hotel. In 2016, NAC provided LEED certification consulting for Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort in Aruba, the first LEED certified building in the country — a testament to the program’s reach and NAC’s ability to apply green building principles across property types and geographies.

Our green building certification experience includes LEED New Construction, LEED Core and Shell, LEED Commercial Interiors, LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance, LEED for Homes, Energy Star for Buildings, and RESNET HERS ratings. NAC’s principal holds LEED Accredited Professional credentials with specialty in Operations and Maintenance.

For LIHTC developers, green building certification can carry meaningful QAP point value in competitive state allocation cycles. NAC can help identify the most cost-effective certification path for a given project — maximizing competitive positioning without adding unnecessary cost to the rehabilitation budget.

Energy Auditing

Understanding how a building uses energy is the first step toward controlling operational costs and meeting program requirements. NAC’s energy auditing services provide building owners, lenders, and developers with a clear picture of current energy performance and a practical roadmap for improvement.

NAC performs energy audits at two levels of effort:

ASHRAE Level 1 — Walkthrough and Preliminary Analysis: A site visit and utility bill review identifying low and no-cost energy conservation measures and areas warranting further study. Appropriate for initial screening and preliminary capital planning.

ASHRAE Level 2 — Energy Survey and Analysis: A more detailed assessment building on the Level 1 findings, including financial analysis of proposed energy conservation measures and a three-year utility bill review. Appropriate for projects where energy performance has direct bearing on financing, compliance, or operational planning.

NAC also performs Building Energy Performance Assessments (BEPA) in accordance with ASTM E2797, HUD Green Physical Needs Assessments (GPNA), and Energy Star Portfolio Manager benchmarking and certification services.

HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program

NAC has experience supporting HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), which provides funding for existing HUD-assisted multifamily properties to pursue energy efficiency and climate resilience improvements. For property owners and developers exploring GRRP opportunities, NAC can assist with the assessment and documentation components of the application and implementation process.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool for identifying building envelope deficiencies, moisture intrusion, missing or incomplete insulation, and electrical system issues that are not visible to the naked eye. NAC uses infrared imaging technology to detect problems early — before they escalate into costly repairs or liability exposure.

Thermal imaging services are available as a standalone engagement or as a component of a broader property condition assessment or energy audit scope.

Services Available

• LEED Certification Consulting — New Construction, Core & Shell, CI, Homes, EBOM
• Energy Star Certification and Portfolio Manager Benchmarking
• RESNET HERS Ratings
• ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audits
• ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audits
• Building Energy Performance Assessments (BEPA) — ASTM E2797
• HUD Green Physical Needs Assessments (GPNA)
• HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) Consulting
• Thermal Imaging and Infrared Surveys

Download our High Performance Building Services Cut Sheet Here