EPA announces winners of first National Building Competition

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by Brianna Crandall — October 29, 2010—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program has announced that Morrison Residence Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has won the first EPA National Building Competition. Morrison Hall reduced its energy use by 35.7 percent in one year, saving more than $250,000 on energy bills and reducing more than 730 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The competition, launched on April 27, 2010, challenged teams from 14 buildings across the country to measure their building’s energy use and reduce waste with help from the Energy Star program. Together, the 14 competitors reduced their energy use by more than 44 million kBtu, saved more than $950,000 in utility bills, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions reportedly equivalent to those from the electricity use of approximately 600 homes for a year.

Morrison Hall reduced its energy use through a combination of efficiency strategies, including improved operations and maintenance and outreach to dormitory residents. A computer touch-screen monitor in the lobby helped residents keep track of energy consumption. Competitions between dorm floors encouraged students to turn off lights and computers, and reminders were posted in elevators, bathrooms and common areas. Improvements to the HVAC system and lighting helped to maximize savings.

The final order and “weigh-in” results for the contestants are:

  1. Morrison Residence Hall, Chapel Hill, NC (Reduction: 35.7%)
  2. Sears Glen Burnie, Glen Burnie, MD (31.7%)
  3. JCPenney Store # 1778, Orange, CA (28.4%)
  4. 1525 Wilson Boulevard Building, Arlington, VA (28.0%)
  5. 522 5th Avenue, New York, NY (18.1%)
  6. Solon Family Health Center, Cleveland, OH (13.9%)
  7. Crystal River Elementary School, Carbondale, CO (12.2%)
  8. Tucker Residence Hall, Raleigh, NC (10.3%)
  9. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown, San Diego, CA (8.6%)
  10. Maplewood Mall, St. Paul, MN (6.7%)
  11. Memorial Arts Building at Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, GA (5.7%)
  12. Van Holten Primary School, Bridgewater, NJ (5.3%)
  13. Sheraton Austin Hotel, Austin, TX (1.9%)
  14. Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA (1.5%)

The National Building Competition measured energy performance from September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010. The energy use of each building was monitored through EPA’s Energy Star online energy measurement and tracking tool, Portfolio Manager. Buildings were evaluated on the greatest percentage-based reduction in energy consumed by a building relative to its size and adjusted to account for changes in weather.