Energy Conservation Services

Federal agencies are required to meet a number of energy and water management goals mandated through Executive Orders, legislation and other requirements addressing energy conservation. The Heartland Region has strategic energy management programs that reduce utility costs and energy consumption by promoting optimal energy use without impacting tenant comfort.

Helping Federal Agencies Meet Their Energy Needs

Federal and non-federal customers look to GSA's energy program to procure green and non-green power that is cost effective and environmentally responsible. GSA partners with investor-owned utility companies, national associations, and nonprofit environmental organizations to disseminate information on energy-related issues. GSA and its Heartland Region:

• Provide guidance on the use of GSA's area-wide contracts with utility companies;
• Study energy usage and energy data when contracted to do so; and
• Provide advocacy at the regional level with other federal agencies.

Energy in the Heartland

GSA’s Heartland Region:

• Has received $309,000 in utility rebates since 2007 by leveraging partnerships with utility companies.
• Installed 84 advanced utility meters across 12 buildings and is currently reporting and analyzing real-time utility usage data.
• Has 16 EnergyPlus building energy simulation models in-process.
• Received or has applied for the ENERGY STAR certification for 17 facilities with ratings of 75 or higher on the EPA’s 100-point scale.
• Completed 21 retro-commissioning studies, tests and reports.
• Is purchasing 12 percent of the region’s electricity from renewable sources.
• Partnered with the Energy Department to conduct eight DOE-funded Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluations across the region and to assess the resulting low- and no-cost recommended actions to reduce overall building energy consumption.

Additionally:

• The Iowa Field Office in Des Moines, Iowa, and its director, Doug Papineau, received the prestigious ENERGY STAR® Leader/Top Performer designation because of high energy efficiency at GSA facilities throughout the state.
• Two of the eight finalist buildings in the National Better Buildings Federal Award competition are facilities in GSA’s Heartland Region. The Neal Smith Federal Building and the Frank Carlson Federal Building are competing to be recognized as the federal government's highest-performing building based on reduction in annual energy use intensity (Btu/gsf) on a year-over-year basis.

What you can do to save energy

Federal and private sector employees can help lower energy consumption by turning off computers and other equipment at the conclusion of the workday, configuring computer equipment to enter power save mode after 10 minutes of inactivity, using task and office lighting purposefully, and reducing plug load (eliminating space heaters, personal refrigerators, and other such equipment).

The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program offers an energy saving checklist for the office, and a facility energy checklist to reduce fuel costs.