Sustainability

Initiatives

Shingobee embraces sustainability as an integral part of the construction process – not only because of cost-saving considerations, but also in consideration of the future of our planet. Our approach is to help you apply green building initiatives in ways that make sense for your facility and your business. To provide the best sustainable construction services, we evaluate cost, return on investment, and other factors that affect your decision to implement energy-efficient features. Even if an owner chooses not to pursue LEED certification, there are many ways to incorporate sustainable practices and features into a building’s design and construction.

A variety of guidelines and certifications are available for consideration:

  • LEED
    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. Shingobee has several LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. We can help to evaluate the value of pursuing certification for your building and implementation of sustainable green building and development practices. Learn more about LEED from the USGBC.

  • Minnesota B3 Guidelines
    The State of Minnesota’s sustainable building design guidelines are designed to be compatible with national guidelines such is LEED, while maintaining regional values, priorities, and requirements.

  • Green Globes
    This system delivers an online assessment protocol, rating system, and guidance for green building design, operation, and management. Shingobee has certified Green Globe Professionals on staff, which enables us to offer clients expertise on accepted green building and management practices, and to provide assistance with the Green Globes assessment and certification process.

  • Energy Star
    program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, it provides an innovative energy performance rating system and energy management strategy that helps in measuring current energy performance, setting goals, tracking savings, and rewarding improvements. The EPA also recognizes top-performing buildings with the Energy Star.

  • Energy and Utility Companies
    Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and other utility companies have programs in place to assist and recognize companies that incorporate energy efficient systems into their buildings.

Shingobee has the experience to apply our “common sense green” approach to new construction or renovation projects. Contact us for more information on how we can help with your efforts to apply greater energy efficiency and sustainability to your facilities.

Solutions

Shingobee’s construction professionals have the experience and preparation to work with our clients and design associates on energy-efficient design solutions for building construction. We have experience with green solutions such as geothermal heating and cooling systems, green roofs, solar energy applications, electronically monitored HVAC, low-flow plumbing, and more.

  • Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
    Alternative heating and cooling systems can provide measurable return on investment. The heating/cooling system at this bank facility, constructed by Shingobee, was designed to take advantage of very forward-thinking, efficient, renewable underground geothermal systems. Forty-two wells were drilled under the parking lot and green areas, each 180-200 feet deep, to provide the underlying heating and cooling source for the entire facility. The additional installation expense would be recuperated within six to nine years, depending on the market price of fossil fuels, such as natural gas.

  • Green Roofs
    Shingobee constructed a 30,000-square-foot green roof at the Dakotah! Ice Center, using the latest technology in soil, irrigation, and plantings. The green roof will treat and reduce stormwater runoff, ease energy costs and consumption, and add to the total green space for the Ice Center.

  • Solar Energy
    Solar panels and daylighting are effective ways to reduce energy consumption. Shingobee has experience with installation of solar panels, which collect energy to power building equipment, as well as experience with skylights coupled with daylight harvesting sensors, which help to reduce energy consumption by providing natural daylight to the building interior. When there is enough natural light coming in, the daylight sensors shut the lights off, thus saving energy.

  • Use of Recycled and Renewable Materials
    Many building owners with whom Shingobee has worked are interested in the cost-effective use of recycled and renewable materials in building construction and remodeling. On the Landscape Structures project, we utilized exterior building materials, which were either renewable (wood siding) or contained a high content of recycled material (metal siding), and interior building materials (gypsum wallboard, carpet, and vinyl flooring) that contained a high content of recycled products. Also, all waste materials on our job sites are sorted for recycling, thus reducing the amount of product being sent to the landfill.

  • Electrical Energy Savings
    Shingobee has worked with many clients to utilize energy- and cost-saving programs offered by energy utilities. On a recent office project, lighting and controls, motor controls, glazing systems, etc. were designed to meet the recommendations of Xcel Energy’s Energy Assets program. This included installation of daylight-sensing and motion-sensing lighting controls, energy saving fluorescent light fixtures with electronic ballasts, the use of energy saving compact fluorescent lights in lieu of incandescent downlights to define circulation areas, and LED lamps in all exit lights.

  • Heating Systems that Recycle Waste Products
    There are numerous methods available to make use of waste products to fuel heating systems, resulting in energy consumption savings. At a recently-constructed vehicle care facility, Shingobee installed a state-of-the-art mechanical system, which utilizes waste oil for the heating system.

    A sophisticated heat recovery system was installed at the Dakotah! Ice Center that utilizes heat from the compressor system by installing a heat exchanger to take the waste heat from the ice-making equipment and redirect it through the bleachers to heat the concrete in the floor of the seating area.

Experience

Coupled with our innate sense of community service and giving, we strive to create a tangible, positive effect on our communities. Translating this foundation to your project begins by integrating sustainability professionals across all facets of our company. Our diverse experience enables us to provide in-house services with ease on any green building rating system. Check out our Sustainable Construction projects we’ve completed over the years.

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