In 2021, Citizens Energy Group’s General Office was awarded the ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance for the eighth consecutive year.
The General Office scored an 83, signifying that it is more energy efficient than 83 percent of similar buildings nationwide.
Certification is given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy on an annual basis through an application process. Information submitted by organizations must be verified by a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. To earn the designation, buildings must score at least a 75.
“To continue to receive this certification year over year requires diligent operation of our building systems,” said John Hopwood, Senior Manager, Fleet & Facilities Engineering.
Citizens Fleet & Facilities team has continued to make improvements to the General Office, including replacing equipment – such as emergency power and heating and cooling systems – that reach end-of-life service with much more efficient models, upgrading lighting fixtures and controls, and utilizing “set-backs” during periods when the building is likely unoccupied.
Over the past few years, Citizens met several additional operational requirements to improve indoor air quality and infection control due to the pandemic.
“I think our internal team and partner companies did a remarkable job during the pandemic maintaining efficient building operations, despite new requirements like additional air changes per hour that we were asked to implement,” said Tommy Frost, Lead Facility Technician at the General Office.
To meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for commercial office space during the pandemic, the General Office needed to have six air changes per hour. Before the pandemic, the building was experiencing just under four air changes per hour. To meet recommendations, the outdoor air being brought into the building needed to be increased by 20-25 percent and the main air-handling units needed to run around the clock.
“Although we were using much more energy to accomplish these new requirements, we were in a good position with our ENERGY STAR® score going into the pandemic,” Frost said. “Additional energy consumption was offset by having so many employees working from home.”
Knowing that these recommended changes would increase energy use, the Fleet & Facilities team also made every adjustment possible to the building management system, minimized the use of lighting and other electrical devices, and reduced water consumption.
Employees are encouraged to do their part. Here are a few ideas to save energy:
- If able, turn off the lights when leaving your work area.
- Anticipate cooler temperatures and add layers rather than using space heaters.
- Eliminate private refrigerators; use community refrigerators in break areas.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
The Energy Star logo is displayed on the door at the Meridian Street entrance of the General Office.
What is a Building Management System?
A building management system is a computer program that runs all critical systems, including HVAC, lighting, and security, within a building.
Citizens Energy Group’s building management system for the General Office includes two digital control panels that communicate to every HVAC device in the building.
The system has adjustable setpoint parameters, allowing facility staff to remote in and make changes at any time. This is especially helpful after-hours when we experience large temperature swings. The system also sends alerts to staff when there is an equipment failure.
