Great news for New Yorkers and environmentalists alike, the iconic Empire State Building is about to get a little bit - okay a lotta bit - greener.
The $500 million renovations will reduce overall energy consumption by a whopping 40%. Building system work should be done by 2010, and work within the tenant spaces will be complete by 2013. When all is said and done, we're also talking an annual energy bill savings upwards of $4.4 million!
Here are a few of the carbon-emission-reducing changes that will be made:
- 1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing “guts” to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage.
Looks like a lot of work (and a lot of money)! Over time, we're sure the upgrades to the 78 year-old skyscraper will be well worth it. We only have one planet, after all, and we've gotta protect it.
Read more about the Empire State Building renovations here.
Perhaps this facelift will inspire other energy-sucking landmarks to make similar changes... ahem, Times Square, Las Vegas...
via TreeHugger
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