by Brianna Crandall — April 14, 2014—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 10 the sixth annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star-certified buildings. The cities on this list demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits achieved by facilities owners and managers when they apply a proven approach to energy efficiency to their buildings, says the EPA.
The Top 10 cities on the list are: Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Atlanta; New York; San Francisco; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Philadelphia; and Houston (see complete list below). Los Angeles has remained the top city since the first list of cities was released in 2008, while Washington, DC, continues to hold on to second place for the fifth consecutive year. Atlanta moved up from number five to number three. For the first time, Philadelphia entered the top 10, ranking ninth.
According to the EPA, energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star-certified office buildings cost $0.50 less per square foot to operate than average office buildings, and use nearly two times less energy per square foot than average office buildings.
The data also shows that more than 23,000 buildings across America earned the EPA’s Energy Star certification by the end of 2013. These buildings reportedly saved more than $3.1 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual electricity use from 2.2 million homes. Many types of commercial buildings can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels and retail stores.
Commercial buildings that earn the EPA’s Energy Star must perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide and must be independently verified by a licensed professional engineer or a registered architect. Energy Star-certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings, according to the EPA.
The 2014 Energy Star Top Cities are:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Washington, DC
- Atlanta, GA
- New York, NY
- San Francisco, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Denver, CO
- Philadelphia, PA
- Houston, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Phoenix, AZ
- Boston, MA
- Seattle, WA
- San Diego, CA
- Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
- Sacramento, CA
- Miami, FL
- Cincinnati, OH
- San Jose, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Riverside, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Portland, OR
- Louisville, KY
