ENERGY STAR Buildings: Top 10 Cities

April 27, 2018

The EPA released its 10th annual Top Cities rankings of the most sustainable communities in the U.S. Los Angeles was the top metropolitan area with the most buildings earning ENERGY STAR certification.

Janelle Penny

Los Angeles took the top honors in the EPA’s 10th annual Top Cities rankings, which honors the metropolitan areas and sustainable communities with the most buildings earning ENERGY STAR certification each year.

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With 716 structures certified during the last calendar year, the City of Angels regained the highest ranking of sustainable communities, exceeding its 2016 certification count by 185 buildings. Washington, D.C., has placed first for the past three years, but this year fell to second with 661 newly certified buildings. Dallas skipped three spots to land at third with 468, and Atlanta and New York City took fourth and fifth with 441 and 434 ENERGY STAR certified buildings, respectively.

Committed to Reduced Energy Costs

“Earning a spot on the ENERGY STAR Top Cities list is a recognition of commitment to cutting building-related energy costs and reducing waste,” says EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Bill Wehrum. “With help from ENERGY STAR, city leaders and building owners are working together to strengthen their economies, foster competition and create a healthier environment.”

Read how Pittsburgh 2030 District is creating a more sustainable city

A building that has earned ENERGY STAR certification is more energy-efficient than 75% of similar buildings nationwide. Facilities managers use the EPA’s free Portfolio Manager tool to verify building performance.

Portfolio Manager is often the benchmarking framework of choice for sustainable communities that require buildings to report energy and water consumption. This energy efficiency strategy was implemented in Los Angeles last year for commercial and multifamily buildings over 100,000 square feet.

The new requirement might be the reason that so many LA-area buildings applied for certification last year. The buildings that gained certification in 2017 are now saving roughly $229 million per year on their energy bills and avoiding the emission of 428,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

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Top 10 Energy Star Cities & Sustainable Communities

1. Los Angeles

2017 Certified Buildings 716
Cost Savings (in millions): $229

2. Washington, D.C.

2017 Certified Buildings 661
Cost Savings (in millions): $174

3. Dallas

2017 Certified Buildings 468
Cost Savings (in millions): $65

4. Atlanta

2017 Certified Buildings 441
Cost Savings (in millions): $84

5. New York

2017 Certified Buildings 434
Cost Savings (in millions): $261

6. San Francisco

2017 Certified Buildings 378
Cost Savings (in millions): $186

7. Chicago

2017 Certified Buildings 339
Cost Savings (in millions): $129

8. Phoenix

2017 Certified Buildings 303
Cost Savings (in millions): $60

9. Denver

2017 Certified Buildings 265
Cost Savings (in millions): $60

10. Houston

2017 Certified Buildings 247
Cost Savings (in millions): $72

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About the Author

Janelle Penny | Editor-in-Chief at BUILDINGS

Janelle Penny has more than a decade of experience in journalism, with a special emphasis on covering facilities management. She aims to deliver practical, actionable content for facilities professionals.