Thanks largely to an ambitious program to boost the use of LED lighting in its buildings, Los Angeles is the top ranked U.S. city on the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual list of U.S. cities that are doing the most to improve energy efficiency.
Los Angeles took on the world’s largest LED lighting efficiency and energy savings project five years ago, and is saving millions on electricity as a result.
Buildings that perform in the top 25% of similar structures in the United States are eligible for the Energy Star designation. Building owners/managers need to verify that level of performance independently. Energy Star buildings typically use an average of 35% less energy than those like them, along with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Commercial, institutional, and government buildings can earn Energy Star recognition. Many of the Energy Star buildings have undergone LED lighting retrofits or installed smart meters and dashboards that track energy usage.
For example, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital installed LEDs in all of its exit signs, along with sensors, timers, photo light controls and motion detectors. The hospital reduced electric consumption to about 9.86 million kilowatt-hours (kWhs) in 2013, compared with 10.2 million kWhs in 2012. The resulting savings is about $20,534 per year.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Dec 21, 2021
Outdated and redundant building codes plague St. Louis area development
Region’s combined codes nearly double the length of the IRS Code.
Digital Twin | Dec 20, 2021
Groups ally to advance augmented reality and digital twin technology
AREA and Digital Twin Consortium to work on improving how technology components interoperate.
Codes and Standards | Dec 20, 2021
Tension rises in California over state’s push to build more housing
Attorney general hints at lawsuits against cities that don’t comply with zoning reform.
Codes and Standards | Dec 17, 2021
Tension rises in California over state’s push to build more housing
Attorney general hints at lawsuits against cities that don’t comply with zoning reform.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2021
Home builders defeat proposed Oklahoma energy conservation code upgrade
Builders cite high home prices for opposition.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2021
Laws and regulations complicate growth of community solar gardens
New projects stymied by utility resistance and legislative restrictions.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2021
Property owners need systematic approach to GHG emissions reduction
Energy hog buildings at risk for becoming stranded assets.
Codes and Standards | Dec 15, 2021
Design problems now the primary cause of construction claims and disputes
More likely to occur due to more tight timescales imposed upon third parties engaged in design.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2021
ABC releases guide to technology for improving safety performance
Provides details on how to identify, choose, and implement technology.
Codes and Standards | Dec 8, 2021
Construction industry is the top target for cyberattacks
Smart building tech is a new avenue for criminals.