Earth Day isupon us, so we approached building owners and property managers to talk environmentaland energy initiatives. That includes Jay Black, director of sustainability for SL Green, NYC metros largest landlord at over 46M SF. What it's implemented:
1) Real-Time Energy Management Program
SL Green launched the program in its buildings back in 2010 but has been expanding its capabilities ever since, Jay says. The Internet-based tool helps optimize base-building operations, saving the owner more than $1M annually. Through this detailed information, SL Green can make decisions like how to best heat and cool the building and participate in demand response. (Bet you never knew how much work goes into keeping you comfortable.)
2) LED Retrofits
Last year, SL Green replaced antiquated lighting throughout common areas of 21 buildings with LEDs thats 17,000 bulbs in buildings like Manhattan's 100 Church St, above. (Thanks for the memories, Edison, but we're done with you.) Utilizing Seesmart Technologies, this $2.5M project--receiving $200k in incentives-- will provide energy savings of $850k annually. Thats less than three years payback, Jay notes. Of that, $750k is related to energy cost savings, while $100k is in material savings due to the significantly longer life of LEDs (eight years) versus other lighting technologies. To date, SL Green saves more than $3.2M annually through energy efficiency programs.
3) Energy Benchmarking
Complying with NYCs Local Law 85--requiring energy benchmarking for many NYC properties--has led to 23 of SL Greens buildings (over 10M SF) receiving Energy Star labels. Last month, SL Green received the third LEED-EB certification in its portfolio at 500 W Putnam Ave in Greenwich, Conn. (above, Gold); it's also received Gold at 360 Hamilton Ave in White Plains and Silver at 100 Park Ave, Manhattan. Next, it's expanding LEED-based plans and policies throughout all its buildings, building on existing programs like recycling and green cleaning. For one, installing low-flow aerators at restroom faucets is saving 13 million gallons of water annually--and $110k per year.