Energy and Water Management

Our long-term strategy to manage energy and water resources includes operational and capital improvements that align with our business plan and contribute to our sustainability goals. Asset teams review historical performance, conduct energy audits, and regularly assess opportunities to achieve efficiency targets. Capital investment planning considers the useful life of equipment, energy and water efficiency, occupant impacts, and maintenance requirements. NOTE: We track energy and water consumption data of the whole building and common areas in our buildings. This consumption data is tracked monthly via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Building energy and water performance information is available upon request. 

 

Energy Conservation Measures: 

Heating and cooling accounts for 48% of a building's energy use. Strategies to reduce energy consumed by the HVAC systm include:

• Close blinds to keep the summer sun out.
• Open blinds to let the winter sun in.
• Portable electric heaters are strictly forbidden.

 

Lighting consumes 17% of the energy used in an office building.  Strategies to control the amount of energy consumed by lighting include:

• Take advantage of natural day light.
• Reduce ambient lighting and use task lighting.
• Turn off all lights that are not being used.
• Install occupancy sensors in conference rooms, break rooms, and offices.

 

Plug loads, items that are plugged into outlets, consume approximately 15% of a
commerical building's direct electical load, as well as, tend to increase the internal heat load, therby increasing cooling costs as well.  Items that are left plugged can also still be using electricity. The strategies below provide simple changes that can cut costs and save energy
                       in your office:

• Use power strips with built in occupancy sensors.
• Optimize the energy settings on computers and other electronic devices.
• Unplug printers, scanners, and copiers that are only used occasionally.
• Turn off any audio/visual equipment that is not being used.
• Consider buying laptops and use LCD flat sceen monitors.
• Purchase ENRGY STAR Certified appliances and electronics.

 

Water Conservation Measures

   Water can be conserved through small behavioral and operational changes such as:

• Report leaks to property management.
• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• Use water conserving ice makers.