' _/\N LEARN MORE AT energystar.gov ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program helping businesses and individuals fight climate change through superior energy efficiency. Fast Facts: 2012 ENERGY STAR Challenge - Race to DC ENERGY STAR Challenge: Architects RACE to DC I1IILLL DESIGNED TO EARN THE ENERGY STAR Buildings, Energy, and Architects By 2035, 75 percent of all buildings will be either new or renovated. Architecture and engineering (A/E) firms are uniquely positioned to design energy efficiency buildings, reduce carbon emissions, and help in the fight against climate change. The AIA 2030 Commitment 1st Annual Report The May 2011 report reveal that firms who took part in the 2030 Commitment achieved on average 35% energy reduction (from the national average EUI) on current design projects. What is Design to Earn the ENERGY STAR? The Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR certification was launched in 2004 to identify design projects that achieve EPA criteria for superior energy efficiency. These projects are intended to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions well into the future. 2012 ENERGY STAR Challenge: Race to DC The Big Easy Central (representing the mid-section of the country) won the 2012 ENERGY STAR Challenge: Race to DC competition with the most Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR projects, totaling nearly 50 representing 13 different states. Cumulatively the Challenge received nearly 100 [96] Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR projects which were submitted by 43 different architecture firms and totaled over 10 million square feet of commercial building space. These projects are estimated to prevent 175,000 metric tons of C02 every year and save more than $23 million in annual energy costs. Retail and grocery stores accounted for roughly 60% [56] of the projects. More than 30 states were represented. May 2012 ------- Fast Facts: 2012 ENERGY STAR Challenge - Race to DC How to Achieve Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR Eligible design projects must achieve a score of 75 or better on EPA's ENERGY STAR national energy performance scale of 1 to 100 in the Target Finder tool. This online tool allows for the comparison of estimated design energy use to the actual energy use of similar buildings. The Architect of Record submits eligible design projects to EPA, along with a commitment letter from the owner. Building Types Eligible to Receive Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR Bank/Financial Institutions Houses of Worship Residence Halls/Dorms Courthouses K-12 Schools Senior Care Facilities Data Centers Medical Offices Supermarkets/Grocery Hospitals Offices Warehouses Hotels Retail Stores Buildings that are already generating utility bills are not eligible for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR; architects can work with owners to measure actual energy use and apply for the ENERGY STAR certification using EPA's Portfolio Manager tool. Cumulative Stats for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR: 2004 - 2012 177 A/E firms are ENERGY STAR partners. 428 projects have achieved Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR. Closing the loop from design to operations: 33 of these design projects have become ENERGY STAR certified buildings. On average the projects are estimated to achieve 44% energy and C02 reductions. 105 projects are estimated to achieve 50% or greater C02 reductions. 452,000 metric tons of C02 are estimated to be prevented annually. Overview of ENERGY STAR Achievements More than 80% of the American public recognizes the ENERGY STAR label. Since the program's inception more than 16,500 buildings and plants were certified as ENERGY STAR by the end of 2011. Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR have saved a total of nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than prevented 1.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. May 2012 ------- |