Carrier's UTEC Facility Receives LEED® Gold Certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance™

HUNTINGTON, Ind., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UT Electronic Controls (UTEC), a unit of Carrier Corp. and the largest manufacturer of HVAC electronic controls for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) market in the U.S., is the first electronics manufacturing facility to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)  Gold certification under the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system. This follows the LEED certification for Existing Buildings UTEC received in 2009 for its manufacturing facility and demonstrates the company's continued commitment to preserving the environment, a mission of Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions and a part of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

To achieve LEED Gold certification, UTEC reduced energy consumption by 29 percent compared to similar industrial facilities, decreased potable water consumption from plumbing fixtures by 30 percent compared to the LEED baseline, and lowered conventional single-occupant vehicle trips 10 percent by promoting employee carpooling.

"This LEED Gold certification further demonstrates UTEC's commitment to advancing sustainable buildings and our leadership in preserving the environment. LEED for Existing Buildings focuses on performance, so we are really pleased with the ongoing work of our employees to pursue this certification," said Esther Johnson, vice president and general manager, Carrier Electronics. "We worked together to implement some very simple initiatives such as encouraging employee carpooling, to more complex solutions, including retro-commissioning to identify and address issues with building system performance."

Preservation of the environment and protecting our finite natural resources is a central tenet of Carrier's business.  As part of its efforts, UTEC focused on increasing energy-saving opportunities, adding a cooling tower with automated controls, which also reduced water consumption.  

"Green products start in green factories," said Geraud Darnis, president and CEO, UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems. "UTEC's achievements further Carrier's record of environmental stewardship and showcase our ongoing commitment to the environment. It also broadens our portfolio of green buildings across the globe, serving as another example of how Carrier sets the pace as a natural leader."

In 2009, Carrier factories in Charlotte, N.C., received LEED certification, and in 2010, Carrier's Shanghai offices were awarded LEED for Commercial Interiors™ Silver certification. Earlier this year, Carrier's Monterrey, Mexico, commercial plant was the first industrial facility in the global heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry to be LEED Gold certified.

Carrier's green efforts extend beyond its own walls. Carrier is the only company in the world to be a founding member of the U.S., Argentina, China, India, Singapore and France Green Building Councils, and was also among the first companies to set energy reduction goals for its factories in 1988.

"Carrier is a company that walks the talk. It is not only a supporter of LEED education and training events, but strives to implement sustainability throughout its global operations – and its customers' buildings," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC). "USGBC believes that manufacturing employees should have the same opportunity to work in green facilities as office workers do, and we remain committed to delivering on this vision within a generation."

For more information on Carrier's commitment to sustainability, visit www.Carrier.com/green.

*LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council

About UTEC

Based in Huntington, Ind., UTEC manufactures microprocessor-based controls for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers worldwide. The company is also a major supplier of standard and programmable thermostats and zoning systems. 

About Carrier

Carrier is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.

SOURCE Carrier Corp.