50 Buildings In Philadelphia Area Earn Energy Star Rating

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week 50 buildings in the Philadelphia-area achieved the prestigious Energy Star efficiency label in 2008. Energy Star buildings are among the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide for energy performance.

 

Included in the Philadelphia list are office buildings, schools, retail centers, hospitals and hotels. In 2008 nationally, 3,300 buildings were granted the Energy Star for superior energy and environmental performance, 130 percent more than 2007. That increase is the greatest since Energy Star ratings for commercial buildings began in 1999.

 

“The increase in buildings earning Energy Star is important and very positive” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator William T. Wisniewski. “Across the country, we are seeing growing demand for finding ways to reduce harmful emissions and save money. By adopting energy efficient technology, techniques and planning, building owners are realizing that they can reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort or service.”

 

The Energy Star buildings in the Philadelphia-area are saving an estimated $12.4 million annually in lower energy bills. Energy Star qualified buildings use up to 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and generate 35 percent less carbon dioxide, while providing the required comfort and services. These buildings also are preventing greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 7,900 households' electricity use.

 

The owners and operators of these facilities have achieved energy efficiency milestones in buildings they own and manage. The owners conserve energy by using more efficient lighting, better maintaining heating and air-conditioning systems, installing programmable thermostats and informing tenants and guests of conservation measures.

 

Upgrading to Energy Star energy efficiency levels has been facilitated by EPA’s Portfolio Manager, an interactive on-line energy management tool that allows property managers to track and assess energy use as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Portfolio Manager helps set investment priorities, identify under-performing buildings, and verify efficiency improvements.

 

Commercial and industrial facilities account for half of all energy consumption in the U.S. at a cost of over $200 billion per year, more than any other sector of the economy. These facilities are also responsible for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change.

 

Energy Star became known as a way to identify energy efficient products, and now the program has been extended to 50 product categories and has expanded to housing and 12 types of commercial buildings and five types of manufacturing facilities including office buildings, retail centers, hospitals, and industrial facilities.

 

Some interesting national statistics:

 

-- Energy Star qualified office buildings cost $0.50 cents less per square foot to operate than average office buildings;

 

-- Energy Star qualified office buildings consume nearly 2x less energy per square foot as average office buildings; and

 

-- Nearly 600 Energy Star buildings use 50 percent less energy than average buildings.

 

Go online to view a list of the top25 cities earning the Energy Star buildings and to learn how to become an Energy Starbuilding.