The City of Grand Rapids in Michigan has recently announced that five of its buildings have achieved the prestigious U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for exceptional energy performance in 2023. Among these, three buildings have secured the ENERGY STAR certification for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2023, while the other two buildings received the certification for both 2023 and 2018.
Operating buildings in an energy-efficient manner not only reduces costs but also improves air quality and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, emit 35 percent fewer greenhouse gases, and are more cost-effective to run compared to their counterparts, all without compromising performance or comfort.
The City of Grand Rapids' commitment to energy efficiency is evident in its pursuit of an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 for municipal operations, aligning with its Strategic Plan for carbon reduction and climate resilience.
Earning an ENERGY STAR certification requires buildings to score above 75 on a scale of 1 to 100 for energy efficiency relative to similar building types nationwide. This certification is a testament to a building's top-tier energy performance based on factors such as occupancy, operational hours, and other essential metrics.
The certification process was facilitated by local engineering and energy consultant, E3M Solutions, which identified areas for improvement in lighting, controls, and HVAC systems. Eric DeVries, the president of E3M Solutions, noted, "The City of Grand Rapids has made the commitment to this ongoing work, and we're proud to assist in achieving the certification and identifying areas where they can continue to improve their building efficiencies."
Steve Prins, the director of facilities and fleet management for the City of Grand Rapids, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, "We're honored to earn ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance at five City buildings. Saving energy is just one of the ways the City remains committed to the community and our value of sustainability."
These five certified buildings are also part of the Grand Rapids 2030 District, a public-private partnership focused on developing high-performing buildings that enhance marketability, profitability, and environmental impact.
The accomplishment of earning ENERGY STAR certification underscores the City of Grand Rapids' dedication to sustainability and energy efficiency, setting a benchmark for other buildings and organizations to follow suit in promoting environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
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