News Brief

"Biggest Loser" in Battle of the Buildings Boasts 63% Reduction

by Paula Melton

The second Energy Star National Building Competition, titled “Battle of the Buildings,” has released 2011 results, with the top finalist chalking up a 63.2% reduction in energy use.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sponsor of the contest, the 245 participating teams saved a total of $5.2 million on utility bills during the Battle of the Buildings. The buildings saved 240 million kBtus of energy during the contest year, preventing release of 30,000 metric tons of CO2—comparable to the annual emissions associated with powering 3,600 homes.

The winning building was a parking garage at the University of Central Florida. In addition to reducing energy use intensity in the building, the university saved $34,907 in utility bills simply by replacing 150-watt sodium light fixtures with T-5 fluorescents and 400-watt fixtures with LEDs.

 

This parking garage at the University of South Florida won the Energy Star "Battle of the Buildings" by reducing energy use intensity more than 63%—a feat accomplished primarily by replacing light fixtures.

Photo: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
According to EPA, participating in the Battle of the Buildings catalyzed other changes at the university, such as an aggressive after-hours lighting schedule and recommissioning throughout the campus.

 

– Paula Melton

 

 

 

Published November 29, 2011

Melton, P. (2011, November 29). "Biggest Loser" in Battle of the Buildings Boasts 63% Reduction. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/biggest-loser-battle-buildings-boasts-63-reduction

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