Getting a self storage facility built to the highest eco-friendly rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is no easy feat. And it takes a commendable dedication to the preservation of the environment to achieve. But the energy savings down the road are in the range of 20 to 30 percent. A facility can save thousands of dollars each year on its energy bill. Owners of a newly constructed ezStorage facility located in Elkridge, Md., announced today that their facility received a Gold LEED certification.
Developed by the USGBC, LEED is an internationally-recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. USGBC gives building owners and operators a specific framework for identifying and implementing measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. With the Gold ranking comes a lot of prestige, and for ezStorage, the largest self storage company in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., it sets a precedence for other self storage operators to follow. This is the second LEED Certification for the Columbia, Md., company established in 1987. Its Charles Village facility was also awarded certification. All future ezStorage locations are slated to become LEED certified.
“LEED Certification is quite an achievement particularly in self-storage, so ezStorage achieving Gold LEED Certification in Elkridge really raises the bar for our industry,” said Ken Hankin, CEO of ezStorage. “We may be the first self-storage operator in the country to achieve a Gold rating. More and more customers are expecting the construction of sustainable buildings, and with our continuing commitment to LEED Certification, we will meet that expectation.”
LEED Certification is based on a 100-point rating system and divided into four levels: basic certified (40-49), silver (50-59), gold (60-79), and platinum (80-plus). Additional points may be awarded for innovation in design and regional priority.
The USGBC LEED program has a strong online presence to aid in the achievement of LEED building. It is the primary resource for managing the entire LEED documentation process. Through LEED Online, project teams can manage project details, complete documentation requirements for LEED credits and prerequisites, upload supporting files, submit applications for review, receive reviewer feedback, and ultimately earn LEED certification.
Sources Used:
“ezStorage’s Newest Self-Storage Facility in Maryland Wins Gold LEED Certification.” AZ.building. Jan. 21, 2011.
“ezStorage of Elkridge, Md., Receives Gold LEED Certification.” Inside Self-Storage. Jan. 21, 2011.
U.S. Green Building Council. 2011.