Transwestern: 815 Connecticut Avenue

Solutions

Alecta opted to push the limits when it comes to sustainability. To meet this challenge, Transwestern provided the initial strategy, and found solutions to obstacles that surfaced along the way. Phase I involved a major replacement of the chiller plant, while Phase II involved the replacement of the building façade and additional sitework.

Phase I consisted of completely replacing the chiller plant with two McQuay Turbocor Frictionless chillers. The chiller replacement was finished in April 2009. The ability to monitor the power consumption of individual mechanical components was built into the new plant so that future energy savings could be planned and monitored in real time. The central plant equipment had passed its life expectancy and was very inefficient, which became evident when the ENERGY STAR rating skyrocketed from the high 30s to 82 after the first year the chiller plant was in operation.

In Phase II, the façade was replaced with a new curtain wall, providing sweeping views of the White House and National Mall. Chilled water piping to all ground floor retail spaces was replaced with a condenser water loop, which resulted in energy savings by allowing the chillers to be shut down after normal office lease hours. The Phase II replacement of the primary façade was completed by March 15, 2012. The first-floor retail façade with blue glass decorative cornice was completed in June 2012, and the roof terrace and some of the sitework was completed in July, 2012.

ANNUAL ENERGY USE

(Source EUI)

ANNUAL ENERGY COST

ANNUAL WATER USE

ANNUAL WATER COST

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY USE

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY COST

IN BUILDING ENERGY USE

IN BUILDING ENERGY COST

ACROSS NETWORK USE

ACROSS NETWORK COST

ANNUAL EMISSIONS

USE

COST

815 Connecticut Avenue during construction

815 Connecticut Avenue after construction

815 Connecticut Avenue before construction

McQuay Turbocor chillers at 815 Connecticut