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EPA Recognizes the First Existing Apartment, Condo Buildings with ENERGY STAR Certification / Apartment and condo buildings recognized in Ark., D.C., Ill., Mass., N.Y., Va., Wash. with certification for leading industry in cutting energy use, increasing affordability

Release Date: 11/13/2014
Contact Information: Jennifer Colaizzi, [email protected], 202-564-7776, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today the first existing multifamily housing properties to earn the new ENERGY STAR multifamily certification for superior energy performance. EPA recognized 17 apartment and condo buildings across the country for leading the industry in reducing energy use, increasing affordability, protecting public health, and combating climate change.

“Communities, renters and businesses all benefit when multifamily properties operate more efficiently,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “When these buildings use less energy, they also prevent greenhouse gas emissions, increase comfort, and lower costs for renters, making it a win-win for the environment, public health and the economy.”

Current estimates show multifamily properties can become 30 percent more efficient by 2020, unlocking $9 billion in energy savings and preventing annual greenhouse gas emissions roughly equal to those from four million homes. By reducing the amount of energy consumed, these properties cut utility bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing energy, and help meet the goals of the President’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for multifamily buildings to be 20 percent more efficient by 2020.

Energy costs for renters have risen by 20 percent on average over the past decade, so energy efficiency represents a significant opportunity to reduce utility costs and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of energy, which contribute to climate change. Since multifamily buildings can now earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR, renters may choose to live in a building that saves them money and protects the environment.

The 17 properties on the list demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits achieved by owners and managers when they apply a comprehensive approach to managing energy use in their buildings. These pioneering apartment and condo buildings perform among the top 25 percent of similar properties nationwide. They took a variety of approaches to save energy, from investing in technological upgrades, such as high-efficiency lighting, to low-cost operations and maintenance changes, such as adjusting the schedules for outdoor lighting and ensuring equipment was only running when needed.

The new ENERGY STAR multifamily score gives building owners and tenants a way to understand their property’s energy performance using a simple, accurate, nationally-recognized metric. The new 1-100 ENERGY STAR score and certification for existing multifamily properties is based on nationally representative survey data provided by Fannie Mae and will be integrated into other green building certification programs, including the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system. It is the first time existing multifamily properties have been able to be certified as ENERGY STAR. Previously, only new construction multifamily properties have been able to earn certification by meeting prescriptive design requirements for high performance. In addition to Fannie Mae and USGBC, EPA is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Freddie Mac to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s multifamily housing.

ENERGY STAR certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than typical buildings. Many types of commercial buildings can earn the ENERGY STAR, such as office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

ENERGY STAR is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, ENERGY STAR is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

The 17 ENERGY STAR certified multifamily buildings are:

· 30-50 21st, in New York, N.Y.
· 680 North Lake Shore Drive, in Chicago, Ill.
· The Ashley at RiverHouse, in Arlington, Va.
· Aspira Apartments, in Seattle, Wash.
· AvalonBay Communities – The Albemarle, in Washington, D.C.
· AvalonBay Communities – The Statesman, in Washington, D.C.
· Castle Square, in Boston, Mass.
· Circa Green Lake Apartments, in Seattle, Wash.
· ECO Modern Flats, in Fayetteville, Ark.
· Harvard School of Public Health - Shattuck International House, in Boston, Mass.
· Jeffery Parkway at 6731 South Jeffery Boulevard, in Chicago, Ill.
· Peter Cooper Village, in New York, N.Y.
· Prescott Wallingford, in Seattle, Wash.
· River City- 800 South Wells, in Chicago, Ill.
· Stuyvesant Town, in New York, N.Y.
· Terrific Tenements 423 W 48th Street, in New York, N.Y.
· Terrific Tenements 527 W 47th Street, in New York, N.Y.