Go Green - November 2012

GOGREEN a special advertising section of the bermuda sun • November 28, 2012

HSBC takes the LEED in environmental design Supplied by HSBC Bank Bermuda Ltd Not long ago, HSBC Bermuda built a brand new flagship building in the heart of Hamilton.

The building was destined to become Bermuda’s first owner-occupied, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certified building for ‘New Construction – Buildings and Interiors’.

LEED has become a familiar accreditation for ‘green’ workplaces worldwide. HSBC takes great pride in its unwavering commitment to sustainable development, making HSBC Bermuda’s recent LEED silver certification a major achievement in environmental stewardship.

Milestone In Bermuda, up to 300 HSBC staff members occupy HSBC’s Harbourview Centre and have embraced and supported the new environmental standards of a ‘green’ building.

This wonderful achievement is a milestone for Bermuda. So, how did Harbourview Centre achieve LEED Silver Certification? Or, in other words; what makes a building ‘Green’?

There are four primary categories that we were required to focus on to obtain LEED certification.

First, the design had to be energy efficient; second,

sustainable materials and construction methods had to be employed.

The most memorable construction method being; all vehicles leaving the site had to be hosed with clean water before leaving.

Third, the indoor air quality must meet the highest standards and be maintained; and finally, environmentally conscious practices have to be implemented after occupancy.

The indoor environmental quality includes a cleaning programme which uses environmentally-friendly cleaning products and methods.

The building is highlyinsulated and water-resistant, to limit exposure to mould and mildew.

Ventilation is controlled by workspace carbon dioxide sensors; as the level of carbon dioxide goes up as more fresh air is automatically brought into the workspace.

Harbourview Centre harvests daylight; meaning the lights automatically dim when the sun is bright, further reducing energy consumption.

Installation of specialty window glass balances thermal heat gain and continues to maximize daylight into the space.

LEED certification requires the occupants of a building to practice new behaviours.

The Harbourview Centre has indoor and outdoor meeting places, to encourage staff to change their

‘save’ solutions.

Staff occupying the building are a fantastic example that we can deliver an exceptionally high quality ‘green’ product within a high profile, pressure-filled environment.

Each office floor features a central ‘village’ which consolidates all recycling, houses a central trash collection, printing, plus kitchen appliances.

Sustainable

n Photo supplied

cutting edge: The traditional facade of HSBC Bermuda’s Harbourview Centre conceals high-tech sustainable, green methods and design. environments during working hours. All workspaces are trash can-less reducing the need for more than 300 trash bags per night.

It is proven that through various academic studies that occupying a green building often times results in the following benefits at work; productivity increases, staff absenteeism is reduced, the environmental impact on the community is reduced, and sales increase.

HSBC Harbourview

Centre is a sophisticated building with innovations, unique designs and energy

Harbourview Centre stands as a superb example of a modern, high-tech ‘green’ office and retail construction development, while sustaining the traditional architectural characteristics of Bermuda’s most prestigious waterfront commercial district.

The location is perfect for Hamilton pedestrians to access the building from Front or Reid Street, and to experience an environmentally-friendly thoroughfare.

The Front Street lobby houses an ongoing environmental education

‘Green Screen’ and visitors are welcome to stop and explore the touch screen and discover, in real time, the numerous energy-saving features and measurements being realized in the Harbourview Centre.

The success of the LEED silver certification, which is based on a points system, is quite a feat for an island where there are no local natural building material resources.

But why not go for gold?

HSBC Bermuda is presently investigating LEED Gold Certification, which presents some exciting island-wide environmental lifestyle changes we believe could have a longterm impact on the sustainability of Bermuda.

Mollie Beattie, the first woman to run the US Fish and Wildlife Service, once said: “In the long term, the economy and the environment are the same thing.

“If it is un-environmental, it is un-economical.

That is the rule of nature.” n

Go Green: a special advertising section of THE BERMUDA SUN

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10 EASY STEPS

to save energy and money

Look after your fridge & freezer.

Set your fridge to only as cold as you need. Fridges with an Energy Star label could save you much on energy costs. Always use the energy-saver setting. Also, defrost your freezer when it collects more than a oneeighth of an inch of ice.

Follow these 10 simple steps and you’ll save energy and money.

Energy efficiency is key if we want to maintain a secure energy supply for the future, as well as minimise our global dependence on fossil fuels. Even small changes in energy usage can cause significant change. Best of all, your bills will be reduced. For

more information visit www.belco.bm

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Set your water heater to 120° F.

Most of the energy used by your dishwasher goes to heating the water. Use your dishwasher only when it’s full and use the most energy efficient setting. Remember to scrape excess leftovers into your bin beforehand.

Use hot water wisely.

Lowering the temperature just a few degrees can save a huge amount of energy.

Set your water heater at 120° Fahrenheit. It’s hot enough for your dishwasher, washing machine and showers.

Don’t air condition more than necessary.

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Air conditioning is the most expensive part of the average energy bill. Make sure your new air-conditioner

When replacing appliances, buy energy efficient ones.

Efficiency is key when choosing an appliance.

Energy Star appliances use less energy and save money. Whether you’re looking for a kitchen or home appliance, look for the Energy Star label.

When you turn things off, turn things off.

Even when your appliances are turned off, they use energy. That’s because a constant trickle of electricity is needed to keep them on standby.

These “phantom loads” quickly add up.

Some can use up to 30% energy while being on standby. When it’s unplugged, 0%.

is energy efficient. Clean your air filter regularly to increase performance. It prolongs the life of your equipment too.

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Use your dishwasher efficiently.

Use your microwave for cooking.

Microwave ovens cook food faster and require a lot less energy. They also produce less heat in your kitchen, which also means less energy needed for cooling.

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The biggest electricity saver in your house could be a lightbulb. Switching from old-fashioned incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs can make a big difference in you electricity bill, and the new bulbs last a long time.

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Turn the lights off when you don’t use them.

Why pay for electricity when you don’t have to? The average Bermudian household wastes money every year on lighting empty rooms. If you leave the room, turn the lights off. Also, before you go to bed, make sure no lights are left on.

Use timers.

Use CFLs and LEDs.

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A timer can save you hundreds of dollars a year. It can give you hot water when you need it.

Timers can also save energy for other items in your house. And turn your water heater off when you go on holiday.

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Invested in the Environment.

Invested in Bermuda.

The future of our island depends on how well we care for it today.

The return on investment will be greater than we can imagine.

Education, Environment, Community www.hsbc.bm Issued by HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited which is licensed to conduct Banking and Investment Business by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

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