Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program announced the top contenders at the midpoint of the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings.
The list identifies the contenders with the greatest percent reduction of energy use in each of the twelve building categories in the competition.
“Competitors in the second year of the Energy Star Battle of the Buildings are already achieving energy-savings that really pack a punch,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy. “The stories behind these energy-savings speak to the dedication of American businesses and organizations to protecting the environment and public health, and to economic common sense.”
Competitors measure and track their building's monthly energy consumption using and building with the largest reduction in energy use will be recognized as the winner in November.
In the first six months of the competition alone, teams representing 245 buildings around the country have saved more than $3.7 million on utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by 2,300 homes annually.
The top contenders in each building category/percent energy reduction at the midpoint of the competition:
University of Central Florida Garage C (Other): Orlando, Fla. 31%
Scientific Instruments (Office): West Palm Beach, Fla. 30%
Jackson Creek Middle School (K-12 school): Bloomington, Ind. 26%
USE Credit Union (Bank): San Diego, Calif. 20%
North Suburban Medical Office Building (Medical Office): Thornton, Colo. 18%
Office Depot (Retail Store): Plano, Texas 17%
Hammond U.S. Courthouse (Courthouse): Hammond, Ind. 14%
First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis (House of Worship): Minneapolis, Minn. 14%
St Mark’s Medical Center (Hospital): La Grange, Texas 10%
Norandex (Warehouse): Rochester, N.Y. 8%
Kenan Residence Hall at UNC (Dorm): Chapel Hill, N.C. 3%
The Colonnade Hotel (Hotel): Boston, Mass. 2%
EPA's National Building Competition Encourages Energy Efficiency