Case  Study:  Energy System  Upgrade Reduces
Natural  Gas Use
The U.S. General Services Administration's Chicago Federal Center
reduced its natural gas use by 25 percent compared to the previous
year.  This was accomplished through the implementation of
multiple heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and
operational improvements. The agency saved $140,000 during one
year as a result of this upgrade.

Several modifications to the center's HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air
Conditioning) system made a significant difference to GSA's energy
reduction efforts. In particular, the agency replaced all of the
system's air handlers, heating coils and perimeter fan coil units to
increase system efficiency and installed two new building
automation systems. In addition, instead of turning on boilers once
                                  in the fall and leaving
                                  them on until spring,
                                  GSA has begun shutting
                                  down the boilers during
                                  winter warm spells.
                                  Turning high-pressure
                                  boilers on and off often
                                  can cause damage to
                                  the complex piping
                                  system from frequent
                                  expansion and
                                  contraction caused by
                                  large temperature
                                  fluctuations. Therefore,
                                  GSA facility engineers
                                  must take extra care to
                                  monitor the system
                                  closely.
The Chicago Federal Center houses the
Dirksen Courthouse (left), the K/uczynsk/
Building (right) and the Loop Postal
Station (foreground).
 Sustainable Materials Management
 Federal  Green  Challenge
                                                          Key Topics

                                                           • Energy reduction.

                                                           • Cost savings.

                                                          Results

                                                           • Reduced natural gas use by
                                                             25 percent.

                                                           • $140,000 savings.
Facility at a Glance

 • Large multi-building and
   grounds complex maintained
   as federal office space, a
   large post office, courthouse,
   outdoor public space and an
   underground parking
   structure.

 • 6,700 employees work on
   the campus, which occupies
   more than an  entire city
   block in Chicago's downtown
   business district.

 • Participant since 2011 in the
   FGC energy and waste
   categories.

 • Recipient of EPA Region 5
   FGC Award: Most Improved
   in the Energy category.
       CHANGING HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR RESOURCES  FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
        United States
        EnvlronmBntsI Protection
        Agency
                                                                  www.epa.gov/smm

-------
 Natural Gas  Use  Reduction
Another important contribution to the complex's
ability to reduce energy is a GSA-reportingtool
which tracks energy use. The reporting tool taps
into the existing GSA energy usage database to
provide reports and analysis for end users such
as property managers and operations and
maintenance contractors.

The energy system upgrade was funded in part
by American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
money.

The entire GSA property management team
worked collaboratively with each other and the
center's agency occupants to implement the
upgrade. "This is a really strong group of people
that were able to work together easily to get the
HVAC upgrade completed," said Sustainability
Program Specialist Bridget Richardson.
            Chicago Federal Center
               Natural Gas Use
       120,000 	
       110,000
       100,000
millions of
 British
 thermal
 units of
natural gas  80,000
90,000
        70,000
        60,000
        50,000
                 FY2010      FY2011
                             FY2012
  About the Federal Green Challenge

  The Federal Green Challenge, part of EPA's Sustainable Materials
  Management Program, is designed to challenge federal agencies
  throughout the country to lead by example in reducing the federal
  government's environmental impact. It helps agencies meet obligations
  under Executive Orders 13514 and 13423.
  In 2012, nearly 300 federal agencies, representing more than 500,000
  employees participated in the Federal Green Challenge. Their combined
  efforts resulted in an estimated cost savings of more than $31 million to
  U.S. taxpayers.
                  For More
                  Information

                  GSA's Chicago Federal Center
                  contact:

                  Bridget Richardson
                  312-385-3038
                  bridget.richardson@gsa.gov
                                                                Federal Green Challenge:
                                                                http://epa.gov/fgc
Region 5, Land and Chemicals Division, Materials Management Branch
EPA-905-14-011
February 2014

-------