Whiterock Building, LLC, co-owned/managed by Boulder Architect, Stephen Sparn, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

"Whiterock Building is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Stephanie Bingham, Property Manager. "Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs.”

Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Whiterock Building improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to the building. Whiterock Building has prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 28 households for a year*.

“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment, “ said Jean Lupinacci, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.”

To earn the ENERGY STAR Whiterock Building took the following actions:

• Working closely with Boulder’s EnergySmart program advisors, Whiterock Building was able to earn rebate incentives from Xcel Energy and Boulder County totaling about $6,600.

• We hired Energy Solutions Unlimited who was incredibly helpful in the rebate process and with picking out fixtures that would work best in our building.

• Whiterock Building implemented lighting changes. Suite by- suite, new direct/indirect T8 light fixtures replaced existing light fixtures. All 65w incandescent, recessed cans were replaced with CREE LR6 LED fixtures, and all 65w incandescent track heads were converted with socket/lock-its and Par 30 CFL Flood bulbs. In addition, emergency exit signs were replaced with LED exit signs, and a handful of Halogen flood lamps were replaced with LED flood lamps. In total, the building contained approximately 102 light fixtures before the renovations. Improved lighting efficiency resulted in a reduction of fixtures to 80

• Installed tankless water heater

• Earned a 10 for Change Award for 43% GHG Percentage Reduction in 2011

• Other energy efficiency projects are being planned, including investigating alternative heating and cooling equipment in conjunction with building controls for additional energy savings

EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Commercial buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, data centers, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, houses of worship, and warehouses.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. Over the past twenty years, American families and businesses have saved a total of nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions with help from ENERGY STAR.

For more information about ENERGY STAR Certification for Commercial Buildings: www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings

*To calculate greenhouse gas emissions, please visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html