NOVEMBER TOP 10 SOLUTIONS

The top 10 most-viewed resources on the Better Buildings Solution Center from the past month include strategies for low carbon technologies, energy project financing, and clean energy access in low-income communities. This list also features solutions from partners Celanese Corporation, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, New York City Housing Authority, and Ford. Check them out!

1. Showcase Project: Celanese Improves Plant Energy Performance with Boiler Upgrade

Better Plants Challenge partner Celanese reduced annual energy costs by nearly 20% after completing a $160 million boiler replacement project at its plant in Narrows, Virginia. The project replaced coal-fired boilers with natural gas-fired boilers, substantially improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste. Read more.

2. Low Carbon Technology Strategies Toolkit

 To help building owners and operators reduce carbon emissions, this toolkit offers guidance on how to achieve deep carbon reductions in existing buildings with a primary focus on retrofits and operational strategies. Low carbon technology strategies are  currently available for 10 building types, with a supplement for commercial kitchen equipment. Recommendations are grouped by technology, with actions categorized as either simple, intermediate, or advanced. Read more.

3. Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Toolkit

This collection of resources enables state and local communities to benefit from the experience of partners who have successfully established and implemented performance contracting. It includes best practices and innovative approaches that states, cities, and K-12 schools have used. Users can easily find the information they need at each stage of their ESPC decision-making process. Read more.

5. Showcase Project: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s John Ferraro Building 

Built in 1965, the John Ferraro Building (JFB) is an iconic office building that houses Better Plants partner, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The LADWP implemented several energy and water efficiency upgrades to the building’s lighting, plumbing, fan, and chiller systems. The upgrades resulted in 37% energy savings and over $1.7 million in cost savings; the building also achieved LEED Gold certification for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance. Read more.

6.  IHG Green Engage™ Program

IHG Hotels and Resorts, a Better Buildings Alliance partner, created the IHG Green Engage™ system as a comprehensive online sustainability platform. It allows hotels to track, measure, and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption. With over 200 Green Solutions, including detailed action plans, guidance, and case studies, Green Engage can help hotels avoid up to $67 million in utility costs while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. Read more.

7. Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities

Low-income households spend about 8% of their income on energy costs, three times more than average. Better Buildings Accelerator partners committed $335 million to help 155,000 low-income households access energy efficiency and renewable energy benefits, collecting resources and lessons learned into the CELICA Toolkit. The toolkit includes a guide to program development and replicable program models for single-family and multifamily housing, as well as community solar. Read more.

8. Commercial Pace Financing for New Construction

Commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing helps overcome the upfront costs of implementing energy, water, or resilience projects. It is most commonly used to finance projects in existing buildings, but owners and developers are increasingly incorporating CPACE into the capital stack for new building construction. This toolkit offers resources and case studies for owners and developers that may want to take advantage of commercial PACE for new construction. Read more.

9. Showcase Project: New York City Housing Authority's 344 East 28th Street 

To address energy challenges faced at its 344 East 28th Street multifamily apartment complex, Better Buildings Challenge partner New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) conducted an extensive lighting, heating, and hot-water modernization project. Energy-efficient upgrades made to these building systems, as well as NYCHA’s first-ever deployment of renewable technologies, resulted in nearly 40% annual energy savings and nearly $114,000 in cost savings. Read more.

10. Ford Motor Company’s Go Green Dealership Program  

Through its Go Green Initiative, Ford partners with independently owned and operated Ford dealerships to adopt energy efficient technologies and practices. Since launching with just three dealerships in 2010, the program now includes approximately 1,700 member dealerships and has led to the identification of significant savings. The first group of Go Green assessments for 270 participating dealerships led to the identification of a potential average annual savings of $33,000 for the average dealership, equating to a 27% reduction in energy with a 3.5 year payback. Read more.