Empire State Building Begins $500M Energy Retrofit  

The Empire State Building, one of the world’s most famous office buildings, is undertaking a more than $500 million upgrade program to incorporate comprehensive project with goal to reduce energy use by nearly 40%. Partners, including Clinton Climate Initiative, Rocky Mountain Institute, Johnson Controls Inc., and Jones Lang LaSalle, hope to use this as a test case for retrofitting existing structures to achieve environmental sustainability. The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38% and provide a replicable model for similar projects.  Internal calculations show that the Empire State Building should qualify for GOLD certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings, and ownership intends to pursue such certification. 

“Commercial and residential buildings account for the majority of the total carbon footprint of cities around the world – over 70% in New York City. Beginning in February 2008, the Empire State Building has been used as a test bench to create a replicable process to reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts,” said Anthony E. Malkin of building owner, Empire State Building Company.  “Most new buildings are built with the environment in mind, but the real key to substantial progress is reducing existing building energy consumption and carbon footprint.” 

“This innovative process, which has developed new techniques for modeling and organizing an integrated program, offers a clear path to adoption around the world, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” says Malkin.  “Along with other steps taken, in recycling waste and construction debris, use of recycled materials, and green cleaning and pest control products, the model built at the Empire State Building will meaningfully speed the reduction in energy consumption and environmental impact and allow more sustainable operations – while simultaneously enhancing profitability and tenant comfort.  This is a real program, happening in real time, creating real green jobs.”    

The project partners used existing and newly created modeling, measurement and projection tools in a replicable process to analyze the Empire State Building’s energy use and provide actionable recommendations. The team identified eight economically viable projects that should provide a significant return on investment, both environmentally and financially.    

“In this distressed economic climate, there is a tremendous opportunity for cities and building owners to retrofit existing buildings to save money and save energy,” said former President Clinton. “I’m proud of the work my foundation's climate initiative has done with 40 of the world's largest cities, including New York where we played a central role in convening a unique set of partners that are working to make the Empire State Building retrofit project possible. It is this kind of innovative collaboration that is crucial to protecting our planet and getting our economy up and running again.”   

“This project brings to bear every bit of experience, research and innovation we’ve accumulated in our 125 years in this business,” said Iain Campbell, Vice President, Johnson Controls, which serves as energy services company for the program.  “It’s gratifying to know that just as we point to this building as one of the greatest achievements of our grandparent’s generation, so can our grandchildren point to us.”   

“Not only will this project dramatically reduce the Empire State Building’s environmental impact, but now we’re able to do it in a way that provides meaningful costs savings to the building as well as its tenants,” said Raymond Quartararo, International Director, Jones Lang LaSalle. 

With an initial estimated project cost of $20 million, additional savings and redirection of expenditures originally planned in the building’s upgrade program, and additional alternative spending in tenant installations, the Empire State Building will save $4.4 million in annual energy savings costs, reduce energy consumption by close to 40%, repay net extra cost in about three years, and cut overall carbon output through eight key initiatives: 

• 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.   
• Added insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.   
• Improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to cut electricity costs and cooling loads. 
• Replacement of air handling units with variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in operation while improving comfort. 
• Reuse of existing chiller shells while removing and replacing “guts” to improve chiller efficiency and controllability, including introduction of variable frequency drives. 
• Upgrade of existing building control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more detailed sub-metering information.   
• Demand control ventilation in occupied spaces to boost air quality and reduce energy required to condition outside air.   
• Individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient management of power usage. 

“To make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, we urgently need a replicable model for retrofitting existing major buildings.  This visionary example will help inform and inspire initiatives that can cut carbon emissions, save energy, save money, make jobs, and provide better workplaces in buildings all over the world,” said Amory B. Lovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute. 

Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to be completed by year-end 2010.  The balance of the work in tenant spaces should be concluded by end of 2013.  Work that is scheduled to be completed within 18 months will result in more than 50% of the projected energy savings.  The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013.