Kansas City recognized for Energy Star Buildings
Jan 28, 2014
Tying for 23rd place, Kansas City ranked prominently on the national list of cities with the most buildings with Energy Star certification. The metropolitan area had a total of 82 structures on the list for the top Energy Star cities of 2012. Kansas City tied Portland, Oregon, for the 23rd position and clocked in just below Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Cumulatively, Kansas City’s Energy Star buildings save the city more than $14 million every year. This is equivalent to preventing greenhouse emissions from being created by 22,900 homes.
A total of 53 schools in the region are also Energy Star recipients, including many in Kansas (Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa, Shawnee, Leawood, and Kansas City, Kansas) as well as those in Missouri (Blue Springs, Kearney, and Lee’s Summit). EPA Region 7, the four-state area that includes Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, has 288 total Energy Star-qualified buildings.
To earn Energy Star certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency, a structure must perform in the highest 25 percent of buildings in its category nationwide. Buildings that qualify, on average, use 35 percent less electricity and emit 35 percent less greenhouse gas than non-Energy Star buildings.
There are a total of 15 types of commercial buildings that can earn the award, including office buildings, retail stores, and schools. Local recipients include Robert J. Dole Court House and the Kansas Speedway.
In addition, after five years of planning and retrofits, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs also achieved Energy Star standing. It is the only hospital in Kansas City to do so. The hospital utilizes high-efficiency, low-heat lighting and employs motion sensor lights to avoid illuminating empty rooms. A new HVAC system also greatly reduces the facility’s heating and cooling demands.
Energy Star classification is now found in more than 1.3 million homes and 20,000 commercial establishments nationwide.
For more information on how you can achieve Energy Star certification for your building, contact sys-tek.
Learn more about Energy Star Buildings in these posts:
- Energy-Star certification ramps up in Twin Cities
- Monitoring Energy Use-Commercial Buildings Save Money
How to Save Energy, Save Money, and Get a Promotion
Read How to Save Energy, Save Money and get a Promotion. It will tell you everything you need to know about existing building commissioning for your facility.
