Solutions for EnergySTAR

New Energy Star Partners Almost Triple in 2008

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:27:01 -0800

The number of commercial and industrial organizations joining ENERGY STAR almost tripled in 2008, accounting for more than 2,000,000,000 (2 billion!) new committed square feet. By the end of 2008, there were more than 2,400 organizations that have committed to adopt continuous energy management practices.

Partnerships between EPA and organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the largest industrial trade association in the U.S., have signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) to work together to improve the energy efficiency of their sectors of the U.S. economy. NAM helps educate U.S. manufacturers that they CAN and SHOULD strategically manage energy in their operations. The savings make this a win-win message and contributes significantly to the total reduction of energy use in the U.S.

If you would like to partner with EPA to improve your energy efficiency, visit: www.energystar.gov/joinbuildings

Cities Earn Top Honors for Energy Star Labeling Achievements

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:18:40 -0800

For the first time, EPA released a list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2008 that have earned EPA's Energy Star. The list is headed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C.,

Additional top achieving cities include:

Dallas-Fort Worth
Chicago
Denver
Minneapolis-St Paul
Atlanta
Seattle
Boston
New York
Austin
Detroit
milwaukee
San Antonio
Philadelphia
Charlotte
Portland
Grand Rapids
Sacramento
Phoenix
Miami
Riverside, CA
Madison

These top cities are those whose schools, hospitals, office buildings, courthouses, grocery stores, retail centers and auto assembly plants have earned the EPA's ENERGY STAR.

To label your building, go to www.energystar.gov/eslabel.
To label your industrial plant, go to www.energystar.gov/plants.

Earning the ENERGY STAR Label for High Performance Buildings

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:14:22 -0800

Buildings earn the ENERGY STAR by achieving a score of 75 or higher on EPA's energy performance rating system and meeting relevant requirements for indoor air quality.

These buildings typically use 35 % less energy than average buildings.

More than 6,200 top performing buildings earned the ENERGY STAR rating through 2008 for being energy all-stars. Total labeled floor space topped over 1 billion square feet for the first time, an increase of more than 55% over 2007.

Industrial Sector: 45 plants have also qualified for the ENERGY STAR since that recognition became available in 2006. They include

15 auto assembly plants,
19 cement plants,
3 wet corn milling plants, and
8 oil refineries.

According to Energy Star calculations, the 2008 achievements in Energy Star labeled buildings and plants reflected an overall annual utility savings of more than $1.7 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 2 million cars a year.

ENERGY STAR's Industrial Focus on Energy

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:09:44 -0800

Ten major industries participate in Energy Star's Industrial Focuses to pool ideas and work toward energy efficiency improvements.

Industrial Focuses provide an opportunity for companies within each single manufacturing industry to network with peers and share industry-specific energy management tools and resources.

The goal of each industrial focus is to:

Improve energy efficiency of the industry
Create momentum for continued improvement
Provide energy guides to uncover energy efficiency opportunities
Encourage sharing of ideas
Develop an energy performance indicator to evaluate the energy efficiency of their plants relative to the typical efficiency levels of their industry and to recognize the high performers with the ENERGY STAR label.

Industries that participate in Energy Star's Industrial Focus programs include:

Cement Manufacturing
Corn Refining
Food Processing
Glass Manufacturing
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
Petrochemical Manufacturing
Petroleum Industry
Pharmaceuticals
Pulp & Paper
Steel

Energy Use Benchmarking Gains Momentum by Building Type

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:28 -0800

Benchmarking energy use is a first step
to assess energy performance and to measure ongoing progress.

EPA's online tool Portfolio Manager enables building owners and managers to rate their individual commercial buildings on a scale of 1 to 100 against similar buildings, track energy performance over time, and target investments in energy efficiency.

States and local government agencies, professional associations, and vendors offer training, expertise, and networking opportunities to make benchmarking buildings easier for their constituents, and they are tapping into ENERGY STAR to accomplish this task.

This partnership has resulted in continued growth across the country, reflecting a 50% increase in rated floor space from over 7.5 billion square feet in 2007 to more than 11.5 billion square feet in 2008.

Regular Assessment Becoming SOP

About 60% of this space is being repeatedly rated for its energy use, which indicates that regular assessment is becoming a standard practice for many.

Benchmarking By Building Type

EPA's energy performance rating system is now available for 11 specific building space types that account for around 60% of the carbon emissions resulting from commercial buildings.

Offices
K-12 Schools
Retail Stores
Hospitals
Hotels / Motels
Supermarkets / Grocery Stores
Banks / Financial Institutions
Warehouses
Medical Offices
Courthouses
Residence Halls / Dormitories

By building type, offices and schools experienced the largest increases in benchmarking in 2008. Offices close to doubled the number and floor space rated; rated schools increased by almost 80% with floor space almost doubling.

Energy Star added 11.5 billion sq. ft of space in 2008

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:55:21 -0800

An update from Energy Star shows that commercial and industrial organizations continued strong activity in 2008, outpacing previous year efforts.

Use of EPA's energy performance rating system maintained solid growth.

At the end of 2008, more than 11.5 billion square feet of space has been rated.

And at the same time new organizations partnering with EPA as ENERGY STAR partners nearly tripled.

Recognition of organizations for improvement and top performance grew significantly and the number of facilities qualifying for the ENERGY STAR label surpassed 6,200.

For an update on this progress, please view the latest version of the "ENERGY STAR Snapshot: Measuring Progress in the C&I Sectors". The report also includes state-by-state activity and ratings data on the top Designated Market Areas in the U.S.

It provides a look at:

Trends in the energy performance rating of commercial and institutional buildings
State-by-state activity along with activity for the top 25 Designated Market Areas
Industrial sector participation in ENERGY STAR
Trends in ENERGY STAR certification for commercial and industrial facilities

Efficiency First trade association to promote benefits of Home Performance retrofitting

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:11:19 -0800

GOAL: 6 million new green-collar jobs.

Efficiency First is a nonprofit trade association that unites

Home Performance contractors,
residential energy consultants,
building product manufacturers
and other key members of America's growing green-collar workforce

Efficiency First advocates using the federal Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program as a standard model for efficiency retrofitting, including third-party verification. National contractor and auditor certification and accreditation should be mandated through RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), BPI (Building Performance Institute) or other qualified accreditation agencies who conduct independent, third-party quality assurance on the work performed.

Together they intend to escalate the fight against global warming. Efficiency First was founded in 2009 to represent its members in public policy discussions at the state and national levels, to promote the benefits of Home Performance retrofitting, and to help our industry grow to meet unprecedented demand for quality home retrofitting services.

Our mission is to collaborate with legislators, government agencies and professional organizations in the advancement of a performance-based market for energy efficiency that will enable rapid growth in our industry while maintaining profitability and quality of service.

"Our goal is to see a steady run rate of
10 million home retrofits per year by 2020."

According to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, residential buildings alone generate over 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption in the United States.

Because the vast majority of America's 128 million homes do not operate anywhere near peak efficiency, large-scale retrofitting of existing residential buildings will play a key role in achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions, while lowering residential energy bills, improving indoor air quality and thermal comfort, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating millions of new jobs for American workers.

The home retrofitting industry can achieve a 25% or greater decrease in non-renewable energy consumption by America's housing sector, leading to a 5% decrease in the country's overall carbon emissions - equivalent to taking half of all current passenger cars off the road.

The industry will employ at least 1.25 million American workers directly, and with the inclusion of manufacturing and other supporting industries, will generate up 6 million new green-collar jobs.

Energy Star Applance Specifications for Office Equipment

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:50:13 -0800

Performance specifications for ENERGY STAR-labeled office equipment

Office equipment labeled ENERGY STAR often must be more efficient than nonlabeled equipment when in active operation as well as during periods of inactivity. In some cases, there are additional requirements.

Equipment	ENERGY STAR specifications
Computers	Require improved efficiency over all operation modes due to use of highly efficient power supplies. Automatically enter a low-power sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity.
Copiers	Require improved efficiency when the product is in use. Also power down when not in use to a low energy consumption level. Depending on the speed, may be required to print double-sided pages, reducing both copying and paper costs.
Fax machines	Require improved efficiency when the product is in use. Automatically power down after 5 minutes of inactivity. Combination printer/fax machines consume half as much energy when idle as two stand-alone products.
Laptops	Require improved efficiency over all operation modes due to use of highly efficient internal and external power supplies. If left inactive, enter a low-power mode and may use 15 watts or less.
Monitors	Require improved efficiency when they are in active mode. Use 2 watts or less in sleep mode and 1 watt or less in off mode. Use up to 85 percent less electricity than standard models.
Multifunction devices	Offer copying as well as printing, faxing, scanning, and/or other capabilities. Automatically power down after 15 to 60 minutes of inactivity, depending on equipment speed. May require automated duplexing, depending on the speed.
Printers	Require improved efficiency when the product is in use. Automatically power down after 5 to 60 minutes of inactivity, depending on equipment speed. May require automated duplexing, depending on the speed.
Scanners	Require improved efficiency when the product is in use. Automatically power down after 15 minutes when not in use.
Source: EPA

Market-ready or near market-ready uses of LED lighting

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:40:42 -0800

Commercial Signage: Commercial signage often operates 12 to 24 hours per day, consuming about 2% of the total electricity in the United States. Fluorescent signs currently account for about 48% of this market, with neon signs holding about 41%, and the remainder of the market dominated by incandescent products.

Institutional, Industrial and Commercial Lighting: LED products can have a significant impact on energy use in airport, ports and roadway lighting, where conventional fluorescent- and incandescent-lit signage is heavily used.

Retail Lighting: LEDs offer unprecedented flexibility in colors and configurations to lighting designers in creating displays and "moods" in retail settings.

Key resources pertaining to LED technology:

LED Lighting Systems, 2003 (47 pgs.), by John Bullough
Information from ENERGY STAR about high efficiency exit signs and traffic signals
Information from the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on LEDs in transportation applications and exit signs
Specifications on LED traffic signals developed by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

Decorative Light Strings for Beauty and Energy Savings

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:35:14 -0800

If all decorative light strings sold in America this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would save over 2 billion kWh per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to nearly 300,000 cars!

ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings -- many which feature LED technology -- consume 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights strands.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Decorative Light Strings:

Can last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent strands.
Are cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire.
Do not have moving parts, filaments or glass, so they are much more durable and shock-resistant than other light strings.
Are available in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths.
Come with a three-year warranty, meaning fewer light string replacements.
Are independently tested to meet strict lifetime and electrical requirements.
Products labeled for outdoor use are subjected to weathering tests.
Some models deliver features such as dimming or color shifting.

When you start shopping or installing your Christmas or Holiday lighting this year...think ENERGY savings... think...

ENERGY STAR rated LED decorative light strings! You'll save at the same time you brighting your neighborhood!

MaxximaStyle for transportation, interior, industrial, emergency and personal lighting markets.

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:28:32 -0800

MaxximaStyle offers a wide range of LED Lighting covering the transportation, interior, industrial, emergency and personal lighting markets.

LED lamps are revolutionizing the lighting market and applications since they emit a very intense glow which is brighter than incandescent lighting.

They consume one-tenth the power consumption of conventional bulbs and due to their long lifetime, rated at 100,000 hours, LED lamps severely cut down on bulb replacement activity resulting in huge power and labor savings.

LEDs emit negligible amounts of heat -- thus, cutting down on expensive heat shield installations and in the case of interior lighting air conditioning requirements. The incandescent light bulb is on its way to becoming a relic as the gas lanterns it replaced more than a century ago.

www.maxximastyle.com

Higher Rents, Greater Occupancy Rates, Lower Operating Expenses for ENERGY STAR Buildings

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:23:44 -0800

According to the study, "Does Green Pay Off?," ENERGY STAR rated commercial buildings have sale prices 30% per sq. ft. higher than traditional buildings.

Compared to traditional buildings, owners and managers of ENERGY STAR rated buildings can expect

$2 per sq. ft. greater rents,
2% higher occupancy rates and
$0.54 per sq. ft. lower energy-related operating costs

Operating expenses from energy costs varied with Energy Star-rated buildings running $1.27 per square foot per year for energy in 2006 and non-Energy Star-rated buildings running $1.81 per square foot.

Survey results are based on findings in a study released last week. Norm Miller, a professor at the University of San Diego, and Jay Spivey and Andy Florance, the research director and CEO respectively with CoStar. They compared 223 ENERGY STAR rated Class A office buildings of at least 200,000 sq. ft. with 2,077 non-ENERGY STAR buildings of the same class and size.

Buildings with the ENERGY STAR label are among the 25% most efficient of similar buildings nationwide.

Replace PRE-1993 Refrigerators...and Save Energy

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:15:46 -0800

Creative art event by EPA and DOE spreads the word about refrigerator energy recycling

If Americans replaced pre-1993 refrigerators with ENERGY STAR models, the saved energy could generate enough power for more than 8.1 million homes yearly.

An easy way for Americans to lower their electricity consumption would be to recycle that old second refrigerator or freezer, or to replace their current unit with a new ENERGY STAR unit.

ART Show Brings Cool Attention to Recycling Fridges!

Here's an idea for your community:

Up to 50 decorated refrigerators will be on display at the The Art of Recycling: The Coolest Show in Town, a special exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Exhibition visitors can vote on a favorite model. A panel of judges will select the top three entries based on the following criteria: coolest; best use of recycled materials; overall creativity; and best portrayal of the campaign theme - The Art of Recycling.

Source: US Department of Energy

Green Business Ideas

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:12:00 -0800

Green and sustainable business definitions are not yet settled. However, a number of industry sectors are quite well developed in the green and sustainable business process with well-defined certification programs in place.

A few of these are:

Organic Food and Crop Production: The federal Department of Agriculture has an "organic certification" program in place with inspectors, labeling guidelines, etc.

Alternative Vehicles: Again, the federal government and state governments do research on emissions, fuel efficiency, etc. and make these product evaluations available to the buying public.

Alternative Fuel: With the explosion of interest in alternative fuels, the field is changing rapidly. With various mixture levels of alternative fuels with traditional fuels, various raw material sourcing and various efficiency ratings, this field will probably be in flux for some time to come.

Energy: Residential and commercial equipment from refrigerators to computers are tested under a wide variety of programs, including Energy Star, Green-E, and various specific programs for windpower, solar heat and electricity...etc.

Forestry: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies a chain-of-custody for wood sourced products from paper to plywood...and beyond. This is one of the most established programs that audits for grower practices, community impact, chemicals, sustainable farming practices...and sustainable business practices to the point of delivery to the consumer.

Other industry sectors that are developing programs include irrigation and water conservation, green hotels, green restaurants, green chemistry, even packaging and toys!

Check your industry trade association for their developing programs for conservation of natural resources, social responsibility, energy efficiency...etc.

Green Business Market

The green business market is both local...and global. With the massive population increases we are experiencing, we have a dual dilemna...how to support more people with less. Period. The average American consumes 20 times as much in natural resources as the average African and if all the people consumed at the level of high-income countries, the planet could support only 1.8 billion people, not the actual 6.5 billion. Like any movement, the green business movement started with a core of dedicated advocates and researchers who delved into what they saw were injustices, inadequacies and inaccuracies. These early businesses were traditional businesses with a few innovative products or services, as well as new kinds of businesses delivering new services or products in new ways. Organic food and gardening were instrumental in these early green businesses, as were water and energy conservation products such as water filters, solar water heaters...etc.

Every time we faced shortages of a particular resource...such as gasoline, or fresh food or affordable rent...new businesses have been pioneering new approaches.

Green Business Ideas

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:12:00 -0800

A few of these are:

Organic Food and Crop Production: The federal Department of Agriculture has an "organic certification" program in place with inspectors, labeling guidelines, etc.

Alternative Vehicles: Again, the federal government and state governments do research on emissions, fuel efficiency, etc. and make these product evaluations available to the buying public.

Other industry sectors that are developing programs include irrigation and water conservation, green hotels, green restaurants, green chemistry, even packaging and toys!

Check your industry trade association for their developing programs for conservation of natural resources, social responsibility, energy efficiency...etc.