Enigin Update - Empire State Building Rises High on Energy Efficiency
ONE of the world’s most iconic buildings, the Empire State, gained further recognition for its energy efficiency improvements, reducing energy use by 38 percent and annual savings of $4.4 million.
The ground-breaking energy efficiency work at the Empire State Building, described by PR Newswire the as the World's Most Famous Office Building, has achieved another milestone on its journey for sustainability leadership in the commercial real estate community by receiving its second ENERGY STAR certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The certification signifies that the property's energy performance is part of a select group of commercial office buildings, new and old, across the U.S. that have received this accolade. ENERGY STAR recognition was a stated objective in the iconic property's overall sustainability retrofit initiative launched in April 2009.
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. governmental recognition program that offers organisations access to resources that help evaluate their building's energy performance, reduce energy usage and lessen their overall carbon footprint. To obtain a certificate, a number of structural and energy output goals must be met and verified by a licensed engineer. Only buildings with a rating of 75 points or above (out of 100), are eligible for certification.
Anthony E. Malkin of Malkin Holdings, which directs the operation of the international icon on behalf of building owner Empire State Building Company (ESB), stated, "Receiving an ENERGY STAR rating is a significant accomplishment for any building, and we are proud that our Pre-War Trophy Empire State Building has again qualified." He added, "This is only a part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and reduced environmental impact."
In April 2009, ESB, alongside President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced details of the groundbreaking $20 million sustainability retrofit aimed at reducing energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions. The replicable program will reduce energy usage by more than 38 percent and save the building over $4.4 million annually.
Key initiatives include, amongst others, the introduction of tenant energy management systems to allow for efficient control of power usage.
ESB further strengthened its sustainability efforts in 2011 by announcing the use of 100 percent wind power, becoming New York's largest commercial purchaser of renewable energy.
Most recently, ESB shared details of a multi-year contract with Otis to fully refurbish and modernise the building's 68 elevators. As a result of this upgrade, regenerated energy will be returned back into the building grid, reducing elevator energy by 30 percent.
In addition to Energy Star certification, the work at the Empire State Building would qualify under current standards for LEED-EB Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council.
Enigin provide a superb range of energy efficiency and management solutions through their global Enigin Distributor network, with management and monitoring of energy able to be attained for an entire facility or individual tenants, floors, room or even pieces of equipment. Alongside Enigin plc's intelligent energy saving technology substantial savings can be made on energy and hence costs.
Picture of the Empire State Building, by Ami
