Philadelphia, PA: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. Philadelphia's portfolio consists 25 buildings and 15 million square feet.

*Philadelphia has improved energy performance by 17% from a 2013 baseline. Energy consumption during 2020 and 2021 was significantly lower than a typical year since COVID-19 disruptions resulted in temporary building closures and reduced occupancy for much of the year. Energy savings were achieved during COVID-19 and before 2020 by implementing large-scale lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, as well as the implementation of guaranteed energy savings projects to drive energy reductions. The most recent guaranteed energy savings project took place at the Philadelphia Art Museum (PMA) and was completed in 2020. The City is currently in the process of evaluating options to update streetlighting and reduce the associated energy use. Through these projects and others, the City is reducing energy use, cost, and carbon emissions.