MEDIA RELEASE PR39749
Empire State Building's Sustainability Retrofit Program Achieves Target With ENERGY STAR Rating of
90
NEW YORK, May 28 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Iconic Landmark Receives ENERGY STAR Recognition from the
Environmental Protection Agency
The ground-breaking energy efficiency work at the Empire State Building
has achieved a milestone on its journey for sustainability leadership in the
commercial real estate community by receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90
from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The designation for
the Empire State Building signifies that the property's energy performance is
in the top tenth percentile of all commercial office buildings, new and old,
across the nation. An ENERGY STAR rating of 90 was a stated objective in the
iconic property's overall sustainability retrofit initiative launched in
April 2009.
ENERGY STAR is a governmental recognition program that offers
organizations 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
stated, "Receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90 out of 100 is a significant
accomplishment for any building, and an especially groundbreaking
accomplishment for our Pre-War Trophy Empire State Building." He added, "With
the building's overall energy efficiency retrofit project still in progress,
we may see a higher number when all of the initiatives are completed."
In April 2009, President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, and the Empire State Building partnership team consisting of the
Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, and the
Rocky Mountain Institute announced details of an energy retrofit as part of a
$550 million upgrade program. The overall project is aimed at reinventing the
iconic landmark by restoring and recreating its Art Deco grandeur and adding
state-of-the-art enhancements, while at the same time reducing energy
consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions. Most importantly, the work
pioneered by the team is a replicable model for similar projects around the
world.
Upon completion in 2013, the $20 million sustainability retrofit is
expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 38 percent and will save
the building over $4.4 million per year. Achieving a high ENERGY STAR rating
was one of the initial goals outlined by the ESB management team, and was
accomplished in less than 13 months.
The retrofit is comprised of eight key initiatives:
1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500
thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create
triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically
reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind
radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building
perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades:
Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and
plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce
electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units
with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy
efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells
while removing and replacing "guts" to improve chiller efficiency and
controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency
drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing
building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide
more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control
ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy
required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of
individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow
more efficient management of power usage.
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.
About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is
the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in
infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has
attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the
world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major
television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The
Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll
conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building
Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions and is the
region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State
Contact: Edelman Public Relations,
Daniel Hernandez Lyon, 212-277-3738, daniel.hernandez@edelman.com
SOURCE: Empire State Building
CONTACT: Edelman Public Relations,
Daniel Hernandez Lyon,
+1-212-277-3738,
daniel.hernandez@edelman.com
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