As the advantages of going "green" become increasingly evident, both end-users and utilities are looking for new ways to save energy. One such method is by making buildings more energy efficient — new constructions are being planned with sustainability in mind, while older buildings are being upgraded to boost savings.
Both end-users and utilities can appreciate the value of energy efficiency — end-users save money while utilities face reduced load and energy demand. To encourage such savings, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy created Energy Star, an energy efficiency certification program. Buildings in the U.S. can achieve Energy Star certification if they meet efficiency standards. Recently, Energy Star released a ranking of U.S. cities based on the number of certified buildings they have. Here are the top 10, along with numbers detailing how much money and energy they saved by going "green":
10. BOSTON, MASS.
Number of certified buildings: 188
Boston retained its status as one of the 10 cities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings after missing out in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Boston saved $67.5 million and the equivalent of 25,000 homes' electricity emissions last year. The BNY Mellon Center at One Boston Place is a great example of how Boston has improved its energy saving capabilities. When the building enacted on request-only heating, ventilation and air service (HVAC) on Saturdays, the building reduced Saturday HVAC by 50% and saved $20,000 or 100,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
9. PHOENIX, ARIZ.
Number of certified buildings: 202
Phoenix has made great strides in getting more of its buildings Energy Star-certified over the last few years — from 22nd place in 2008 to 20th in 2009, 17th in 2010, 13th in 2011 and, finally, to 9th in 2012. Last year alone, the city saved $34.4M and the equivalent of 32,500 homes' electricity-related emissions. A fine example of the city's renewed emphasis on energy efficiency is The Phoenix Plaza. The building began its green initiative by educating all of its management, staff and tenants. Phoenix Plaza increased energy savings without sacrificing quality by being equipped with low-wattage light bulbs, motion sensors and light timers.
8. DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Number of certified buildings: 214
Dallas' place on this list has hovered from 5th in 2008 to 10th in 2010, ulimately settling in at 8th over the past two years. Dallas saved $47.3 million and the emissions equivalent of 48,400 homes' electricity use in 2012. A great example of Dallas' energy efficiency is its Energy Plaza. Originally not designed to be a sustainable building, Energy Plaza earned the LEED Gold EB certification in 2010 after efficiency upgrades and an improvement in the building's management, such as the installation of new toilets that flush less water and the attainment of a recycling rate over 50%, boosted the building's energy-saving capabilities.
7. HOUSTON, TEXAS
Number of certified buildings: 241
Houston's position on the list of cities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings has taken a backward turn of late. Houston was 7th in 2011 and 2010, and 6th in 2009, all of which are down from 3rd in 2008. Despite the slip, Houston still saved $73.8 million and the equivalent of 72,900 homes' electricity use last year. A great example of Houston's energy saving capabilities is its First City Tower. After enacting sustainability programs, the building's electricity consumption slipped from an average of 30 million kilowatts per year in the late 90's to approximately 22.3 million kilowatts in 2009. It's goal was to get below 20 million kilowatts annually.
6. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
Number of certified buildings: 291
San Francisco place on this list has dropped off in recent years — the city had the 2nd-most Energy Star-certified buildings in 2008, 3rd-most in 2009 and 2010 and wound up 5th in 2011. The city saved $106.5 million and the emissions equivalent of 39,300 homes' annual electricity use last year. An example of San Francisco's energy saving prowess is 100 Pine Center. In 2000, during the California energy crisis, the 33-story, 400,000-square foot building underwent a $40,000 retrofit of its fluorescent lighting. With that, and better use of its Energy Management System auto-timers, the building cut 1.2 million kilowatt-hours between 2000 and 2002.
5. ATLANTA, GA.
Number of certified buildings: 304
After moving up the list for three straight years, from 9th in 2009 to 6th in 2010 and 3rd in 2011, the city of Atlanta dropped down to 5th place for 2012. Last year, Atlanta still saved $52.3 million and the equivalent emissions of 55,500 homes' annual electricity usage. A good example of Atlanta's energy saving proficiency is 1180 Peachtree. 76% of the building's rooftops are covered in vegetation or high albedo material to reduce demand for heating, ventilation and air service (HVAC) while usage directly matches demand through the use of variable frequency drives on air handlers and fans.
4. NEW YORK, N.Y.
Number of certified buildings: 325
Only 12th and 10th on this list in 2008 and 2009, respectively, New York has improved its energy efficiency efforts to get to 4th place this year. The city saved $144.6 million and the equivalent of 63,600 homes' electricity-induced emissions this past year alone. A good example of how the city stays current in its energy saving tactics is 230 Park Avenue. Despite being built in 1929, the building continues to improve its efficiency by implementing load shedding, upgrading its lights and building management system. These improvements are expected to lower energy usage by 200,000 British thermal units per square foot and carbon emissions by 7,000 tons per year.
3. CHICAGO, ILL.
Number of certified buildings: 353
Chicago has steadily moved up from its 2008 ranking as the city with the 6th-most Energy Star-certified buildings. The city saved $93.2 million and the equivalent of 118,400 homes' annual electricity use in 2012. An example of this energy saving bravura is the Richard J. Daley Center. The 31-story, 1.5 million-square-foot government building implemented an energy-saving strategy at no cost by shutting down its perimeter fan systems during non-essential times; the procedure saved the Daley Center 5.4 million kilowatt-hours and $540,000 in 2009.
2. WASHINGTON, DC
Number of certified buildings: 462
Washington, DC has placed second on this list for four years in a row, saving $127.4 million and the equivalent of 83,100 homes' annual electricity emissions in 2012. The city's energy efficiency is exemplified by One Franklin Square. Lighting improvements led this 12-story, 592,000-square-foot office building to save 1.7 million kilowatt-hours annually and the building managers also save energy and the resulting costs with an on-peak load shedding program.
1. LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
Number of certified buildings: 528
With the most Energy Star-certified buildings in the U.S. for the last five years running, Los Angeles saved $134.8 million and the equivalent of 52,300 homes' annual emissions from electricity use in 2012. A good example of Los Angeles' energy efficiency is 12100 Wilshire Boulevard. The 19-story, 350,000-square foot building added motion sensors to make sure the lights go off when nobody's there and both the building and its parking garage were recently retrofitted with fluorescent lighting to boost savings.
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