Prerequisite check
Assessing the project’s certification requirements and targets.
EDGE · Service approach
A scope of work aligned with your project’s targets.
Resource efficiency
Considering energy, water and material savings options alongside project conditions.
Application coordination
Following up on design and construction documents and the certification process.
We move forward together
Work process
The scope and stages of the work are determined according to your project's conditions.
Project target
Building type, current conditions and the intended scope of work.
Design decisions
Evaluating energy, water and material options.
Documentation
Compiling the selected measures and implementation documents.
Certification follow-up
We work with the project team to compile the evidence and clarifications requested by the auditor for the relevant submission stage and coordinate review responses.
Detailed information
About the service
Bringing energy, water and material decisions into the same assessment
When a project changes its glazing, lighting, water fixtures or construction materials, the team needs to understand their combined contribution to savings objectives. Our EDGE consultancy compares options with the system's baseline and translates selected measures into application documentation. AECO connects technical design decisions with procurement and construction records.
EDGE was developed by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. Applicability to new and existing buildings is assessed through building type and application conditions. The initial assessment considers drawings, system properties and available product information to identify the technical work and documentation needed for the objective.
Official certification levels
EDGE Certified requires at least 20% savings against the baseline in each of energy, water and embodied energy in materials. EDGE Advanced adds a requirement for at least 40% on-site energy savings to the Certified requirements. EDGE Zero Carbon builds on Advanced, addressing all operational energy emissions through renewables or eligible carbon offsets and verification using operational data.
Savings metrics are reviewed alongside product and system information. Calculation methods and documentation expectations are checked against the EDGE guides applicable to the registered project. This creates a clear connection between the target level and the technical information supporting it.
Different verification stages for design and the completed building
Preliminary certification at the design stage uses project documentation. Final certification assesses the completed work and requires a site audit. Existing buildings can proceed directly to final certification. This distinction makes it important to plan how selected measures will be verified during construction. The process is set out in the official EDGE guidance.
AECO connects drawings and calculations, product documents, procurement information and construction records with the relevant measures. When designs or products change, we assess the implications for results and the submission package. We coordinate responses to technical review questions with the relevant teams.
Professional expertise and independent auditing
Our founder Taygun Yüksel holds EDGE Expert and EDGE Auditor credentials. Projects for which we provide consultancy are audited by an independent EDGE Auditor. Certification depends on assessment by an authorised certification provider, selected using the official EDGE provider list.
Support in preparing an application
Deliverables include the initial assessment, comparisons of measures and results, product and document tracking records, and application coordination. The proposal explains how consultancy, independent auditing and certification items will be addressed. Client and project team responsibilities are clarified within the same scope.
For initial preparation, see our article on projects suited to EDGE. Available drawings and the target project stage provide a starting point for deciding which options to assess first.
For your questions
Frequently asked questions
What does EDGE certification assess?
EDGE assesses resource efficiency across energy, water and materials. Project characteristics and selected measures are entered into the EDGE App for comparison with the applicable reference building. AECO reviews the results of design options to help identify suitable measures and the evidence needed to support them.
What are the EDGE certification levels?
EDGE Certified, EDGE Advanced and EDGE Zero Carbon have different performance requirements. The appropriate target depends on the building's resource efficiency potential and the conditions it can meet. AECO reviews the project stage and available information to assess the steps needed for the target level.
What are the roles of the consultant, auditor and certifier in EDGE?
Consultancy supports measure selection and the preparation of submission documents. The EDGE Auditor reviews the documents and, at the relevant stage, completed work on site; the licensed certifier makes the certification decision. For new buildings, preliminary design certification is distinct from final post-construction certification.
Is an EDGE calculation the same as dynamic building energy modelling?
An EDGE calculation uses the programme's own application and assessment method. Dynamic energy modelling is a separate analysis of how weather, building use and technical systems interact over time. The appropriate method depends on the certification requirements and the design questions being addressed.
Can a completed building apply for EDGE certification?
Completed buildings can also apply for EDGE certification. An existing building can proceed directly to final certification, with installed measures assessed through documentation and a site audit. Our initial review considers the building's condition, available evidence and applicable submission requirements.
How long do EDGE consultancy and certification take?
Timing depends on project stage, the availability of calculation inputs, completion of the relevant measures and audit scheduling. We review the current position and define the consultancy programme in our proposal. Design and final certification stages are planned around the project's progress.
What determines the cost of EDGE consultancy?
The fee depends on building use, size, project stage, target level and the documentation required. We prepare a proposal based on your project information. The proposal distinguishes the consultancy scope from auditing and certifier fees.
Projects
Sustainable Building Consultancy Projects
Abbreviations
- IFC
- International Finance Corporation — the World Bank Group member that developed EDGE.