flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

San Francisco energy consumption benchmarking ordinance bears fruit

Energy Efficiency

San Francisco energy consumption benchmarking ordinance bears fruit

Efficiency has improved since 2011 law initiated.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | October 28, 2015
San Francisco energy consumption benchmarking ordinance bears fruit

Commercial properties in San Francisco have been more energy-efficient since 2011. Photo: Kitchen from San Francisco/Wikimedia Commons

San Francisco commercial properties have boosted their energy efficiency since 2011, when an energy consumption benchmarking law went into effect.

The city’s Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance has helped to spawn a 7.9% reduction in energy use across 176 properties tracked since 2010. The estimated savings on utility costs on these structures is $170 million.

A review of a broader group of 817 buildings found that energy reduction measures could save tens of millions of dollars in costs during the lifetime of the buildings, providing a significant boost to the properties’ value.

The Urban Land Institute Greenprint Center for Building Performance and the city partnered on the benchmarking effort. This project could be an effective model for other cities, according to a ULI Greenprint report.

Related Stories

| Jan 2, 2013

Recent books take on net-zero energy,‘transformational thought’

We’re not in the habit of recommending books in these pages, but we could not ignore two recent noteworthy publications.

| Dec 13, 2012

Survey: energy-efficient building technologies to drive long-term energy savings

Greater adoption of existing efficiency technologies, enabled by chemistry, could lower energy use in buildings by 41% by 2050, according to new report.

| Nov 14, 2012

U.S. Green Building Council partners with Pearson

Partnership will help further USGBC’s mission by advancing green building education

| Nov 14, 2012

USGBC's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo kicks off in San Francisco

7,000 members of the green building industry convene for opening plenary headlined by "Morning Joe" co-hosts Mika Brzezinksi and Joe Scarborough

| Nov 13, 2012

Turner Construction’s green building Market Barometer reveals new findings on green building and certification

Respondents indicated a widespread commitment to sustainable practices

| Nov 12, 2012

Legrand Shares New Energy Savings Resources Aimed at Promoting Better Energy Management

Company Announces the First in a Set of Comprehensive Resources to Help Companies Take Steps to Improve Energy Performance

| Sep 11, 2012

New York City releases first energy benchmarking data for private buildings

City is first in U.S. to disclose private-sector building energy data from a mandatory benchmarking policy.

| Jul 12, 2012

Chicago Public Schools names Lend Lease team as construction manager

Under this Capital Improvement Program, the Lend Lease team will be responsible for renovation and life safety work at over 100 Chicago Public Schools across the City.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Government Buildings

One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.


Geothermal Technology

Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network

The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks. The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021