Energy Star is for buildings, too!
Nov 26, 2013
We’ve all seen the Energy Star logos on the appliances and home products we’ve purchased in recent years. Everything from washers and dryers to televisions and printers now has an Energy Star rating. But did you know that buildings can be Energy Star rated as well? Believe it or not, there are over 22,000 Energy Star certified buildings, and those building owners benefit from the designation every single day.
Before we talk about the benefits, however, let’s start with a brief history of Energy Star. Started in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star is a voluntary program that identifies and promotes energy-efficient products. The first types of products to be Energy Star labeled were computers, but over the years, everything from appliances to home and commercial buildings were added and can now be Energy Star certified. Some of the technological innovations that have been developed because of Energy Star are compact fluorescent lighting and “standby” options for computers and home electronics.
So why would a building owner or manager want to certify a commercial building as Energy Star? Here are a few reasons:
- Reduces operating costs. Energy Star certification means that the building is fuel efficient, and measurements prove that the utility bills are lower than those for similar buildings.
- Reduces carbon emissions. We continue to learn about the environmental problems associated with the carbon emissions from so many of our energy plants and machines. Less power usage means fewer carbon emissions polluting our earth and atmosphere.
- Improves the company’s financial performance. With less money spent on building maintenance and operations, more company cash can go into improving products, services and innovations. Regardless of the type of business, saving money on buildings benefits the entire enterprise.
Energy Star buildings are real, working properties, not demonstration facilities. To learn more about the certification process or to schedule a free, no-obligation assessment, contact sys-tek today.
