Energy Star Names Top Contenders in ‘Battle of the Buildings’ Competition
By: Megan Robinson and Miriam Berg
Energy Star recently announced the top contenders in its JCPenny-sponsored “Battle of the Buildings,” in which teams from 245 buildings across the country compete to use the least amount of energy.
While benchmarking their building’s monthly energy use, these top teams have been making improvements to their energy performance and sharing their progress up to July. Now these finalists will continue compete to reduce the most energy use by November, when EPA will recognize the winner.
Top Contenders
The top contenders in each category are:
- Bank/financial Institution : USE Credit Union Corporate – San Diego, CA
- Hotel: The Colonnade Hotel – Boston, MA
- Medical Office: North Suburban Medical Office Building – Thornton, CO
- Residence Hall/dormitory: Kenan Residence Hall at UNC Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC
- Courthouse: US Courthouse Hammond – Hammond, IN
- House of Worship: First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN
- Office: Scientific Instruments – West Palm Beach, FL
- Retail Store: Office Depot Plano – Plano, TX
- Hospital: St. Mark’s Medical Center – La Range, TX
- K-12 School: Jackson Creek Middle School – Bloomington, IN
- Other: Garage C – Orlando, FL
- Warehouse: Norandex –Rochester, NY
How They’re Saving Energy
The contenders are all using a variety of methods to win the competition. Coal Ridge High School, which was not named as a top contender, worked with the Colorado Governor's Energy Office to create an Energy Center website which educates the community about the importance and methods for saving energy. Additionally, the school got the students involved by having a group of students design and implement a multi-phase plan called “Operation Shutdown,” which is intended to energize students, staff, and the community to get involved.
Coal Ridge isn’t the only competitor to share their story. On the competition website, you can browse through all the competitors’ profiles and read up on their energy-saving strategies. Teams are sharing ideas and exchange tips on the Facebook competitors’ forum; join the conversation at www.facebook.com/energystar.
Looking for more? Check out the Alliance’s original article on the competition.
