Empire State Building's Sustainability Retrofit Program Achieves Target With ENERGY STAR Rating of 90

NEW YORK, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The ground-breaking energy efficiency work at the Empire State Building has achieved a milestone on its journey for sustainability leadership in the commercial real estate community by receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The designation for the Empire State Building signifies that the property's energy performance is in the top tenth percentile of all commercial office buildings, new and old, across the nation. An ENERGY STAR rating of 90 was a stated objective in the iconic property's overall sustainability retrofit initiative launched in April 2009.  

ENERGY STAR is a governmental recognition program that offers organizations access to resources that help evaluate their building's energy performance, reduce energy usage and lessen their overall carbon footprint. To obtain a certificate, a number of structural and energy output goals must be met and verified by a licensed engineer. Only buildings with a rating of 75 points or above (out of 100), are eligible for certification.

Anthony E. Malkin of Malkin Holdings which directs the operation of the international icon on behalf of building owner Empire State Building Company stated, "Receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90 out of 100 is a significant accomplishment for any building, and an especially groundbreaking accomplishment for our Pre-War Trophy Empire State Building." He added, "With the building's overall energy efficiency retrofit project still in progress, we may see a higher number when all of the initiatives are completed."

In April 2009, President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the Empire State Building partnership team consisting of the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, and the Rocky Mountain Institute announced details of an energy retrofit as part of a $550 million upgrade program. The overall project is aimed at reinventing the iconic landmark by restoring and recreating its Art Deco grandeur and adding state-of-the-art enhancements, while at the same time reducing energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions. Most importantly, the work pioneered by the team is a replicable model for similar projects around the world.

Upon completion in 2013, the $20 million sustainability retrofit is expected to reduce energy consumption by more than 38 percent and will save the building over $4.4 million per year. Achieving a high ENERGY STAR rating was one of the initial goals outlined by the ESB management team, and was accomplished in less than 13 months.

The retrofit is comprised of eight key initiatives:

1. Window Light Retrofit:  Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit:  Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing "guts" to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems:  Introduction of individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage.

In addition to ENERGY STAR certification, the work at the Empire State Building would qualify under current standards for LEED-EB Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council.

About the Empire State Building

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions and is the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com.

SOURCE Empire State Building