Michigan government building earns high sustainability rating

on Monday,July 19,2010 21:07

The Energy Star qualification was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the label can be found on more than 50 different types of energy-efficient products, homes and buildings.

Commercial structures and industrial plants that rank in the top 25 percent of all facilities are eligible to receive the label. These buildings use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical structures and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

For example, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's (MSHDA) Lansing office building recently earned Energy Star status. The facility is considered a smart building due to in part to its HVAC control system, which has 130 heat/air pumps that are computer controlled by a Novar temperature system.

"MSHDA is pleased to accept EPA's Energy Star in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts. Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs," said Gary Heidel, MSHDA's interim executive director.

Commercial buildings that may be eligible for the Energy Star certification include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retailers, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, schools, supermarkets and warehouses.

Last year, builders and contractors who designed Energy Star-quality structures may have prevented more 45 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.