When Buildings Compete, We All Win
By Administrator Gina McCarthy
On average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. So the buildings where we work, learn, and shop have an important role to play in our wellbeing. At the same time, buildings also contribute to the health of our surrounding environment. In 2015, about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption was consumed in residential and commercial buildings. And commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 20% of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Improving energy efficiency has proven to be one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for businesses and organizations to save money, create jobs, and improve employee wellbeing. Plus, facility improvement measures can actually improve employee productivity by creating more comfortable spaces for people to work.
Since 2010, EPA has run the ENERGY STAR® Battle of the Buildings, which enlists interested building owners from across the country to compete in saving energy and water.
Last year, 143 teams – made up of at least five buildings each – along with thousands of individual buildings signed onto the challenge, setting out to slim down their energy and water “wastelines” by making behavioral changes, upgrading inefficient equipment, and optimizing mechanical systems.
The 2015 results are in. All told, last year’s Battle of the Buildings competitors achieved impressive savings, to say the least. More than 60 buildings cut energy use by 20 percent and 40 buildings cut water use by 20 percent or more in just 12 months.
GOLD FOR ENERGY: Texas A&M University – ESCO Project,in College Station, improved energy efficiency by 35 percent and saved nearly $550,000 across their six competing buildings. All told, they prevented more than 1,700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from the annual energy used by more than 150 homes. The team completed a full lighting retrofit, updated the building automation system, and installed occupancy sensors and a pump variable frequency drive. They maximized savings related to heating and cooling by connecting lighting occupancy sensors to an automation system that controls the HVAC system. They also appointed a full-time team to work closely with students and faculty to ensure comfort while conserving energy.
![A large group of standing people.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161231223303im_/https://blog.epa.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BandGAllstars-300x200.jpg)
Pictured: The coaches at Southface Energy Institute who helped Team Boys & Girls Clubs All Stars save energy
GOLD FOR WATER: Team Boys & Girls Clubs All Stars cut water use by more than 50 percent across their 12 competing buildings in seven different states, with help from their “coaches” at the Southface Energy Institute. The biggest savings opportunities came from eliminating water leaks, upgrading plumbing fixtures, securing faucets, and replacing toilets and urinals with low-flow equipment. The Boys & Girls Clubs also switched from potable water to rainwater for some of their educational projects. Today, the building features a new rainwater harvesting system that collects water from the roof of the facility for use in the garden. Savings from reduced water costs have allowed the Boys & Girls Club to allocate more resources toward hiring staff, purchasing program supplies, and fulfilling its mission: “Enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”
Check out the full list of winners and a wrap-up report with advice and best practices on the competition web page.
Do you have what it takes to join the Battle of the Buildings?
This year, the competition will return as the 2016 ENERGY STAR BOOTCAMP – a 90-day competition to reduce energy and water use in our nation’s buildings. Register to participate in the 2016 ENERGY STAR BOOTCAMP now through July 17, 2016.
May 21, 2016 @ 06:05:15
my best wishes always with u guys .
May 22, 2016 @ 22:13:18
Green buildings are the new things. There are many buildings now that include some type of greenery; roof top gardens as an example. A couple of months ago the news in Central Texas aired details about the new apartment building being built in Austin. This complex will not house a parking garage; encouraging tenants to think green (my assumption). I enjoy the idea of having some type of greenery atop a building or apartment homes. This is especially beneficial for those without gardens. Another green aspects of businesses is the ability to conserve water and electricity. Many rooms are now equipped with motion sensor lights so lights come on when needed and go out when not in use. This is the same with bathroom faucets. They dispense so much water ensuring not to over expel unless someone keeps motioning it to turn on.
May 24, 2016 @ 15:38:03
Congratulations you’ve touched on a subject VERY successful
May 23, 2016 @ 03:32:51
Thanks for this informational post, but i don’t know why peoples not understanding the way we are polluting the earth by new electronic waste, air pollution, water pollution etc. Its time for government to take action on these problem which will get into giant shape in some upcoming years .
May 23, 2016 @ 04:25:36
Thank you
May 23, 2016 @ 14:56:59
thank you so much !!
May 24, 2016 @ 15:34:22
Gina McCarthy ‘ve touched on a subject very nice congratulations
May 25, 2016 @ 13:08:09
Congratulations. great News. Thank you.
May 26, 2016 @ 07:53:19
I wish you all the best
Jun 05, 2016 @ 18:17:36
I am glad to read this article and found very important information and advice about ethics and social responsibility.Thanks for the advice and valuable details.
Jun 05, 2016 @ 21:49:37
Thank You
Jun 07, 2016 @ 06:10:31
Its time for government to take action on these problem which will get into giant shape in some upcoming years
Jun 07, 2016 @ 23:15:46
More companies should start or practice more to become energy efficient due to our environmental condition. We’re not only talking about putting trees and plants on building rooftops but also making sure that the technologies that we use are environment friendly, just like the air conditioning system that is being used in an office space for rent, aerosol sprays, use of fridge, and other types of technologies that as much as possible, doesn’t emit that much Chlorofluorocarbon that’s one of the factor for thinning the ozone layer. Commercial building owners take this kind of advantage not only for their care for the environment, but also to market their building to business owners who has the same concern for the environment. I hope more green buildings would be built soon and shall be continuously be part of industrial development for so many years.
Jun 12, 2016 @ 19:20:05
I agree, facility is the word! But also like the idea of having nature within the buildings as an example of Twitter that has a tree within your company. Congratulations for the article!
Jun 14, 2016 @ 16:28:33
Go green!
Jun 14, 2016 @ 21:12:36
Great
Jun 14, 2016 @ 21:13:04
Great
Jun 16, 2016 @ 03:35:28
Thank you for this.
Jun 17, 2016 @ 05:42:37
That’s really a great news and we must go green with the most effective possible ways.
Thanks for this.
Jun 17, 2016 @ 10:46:46
Go green live green. Thanks for your effort
Jun 17, 2016 @ 23:51:22
Congratulations great News.
Jun 26, 2016 @ 13:16:15
Hello author,
I want to say something. That’s really amazing and also informative article for me. I appreciate with you also like your post. Thank you author for sharing a valuable post with us.
Thank you
Sep 19, 2016 @ 13:35:27
Since all commercial and residential buildings are equipped with appliances, it is very important to make sure to choose and use those with an Energy Star rating. It will definitely contribute to the health of our environment.
Sep 22, 2016 @ 09:37:51
Is there an EPA contact for this competition? Our organization registered under a contractor, but we need to update information. I’m having trouble getting a response from the general mailbox. Thanks in advance.