Upgrades to 20 state buildings in Colorado are expected to reduce energy costs at the facilities by 25 to 30 percent, saving state taxpayers $924,000 annually and more than $20 million over the next two decades. The upgrades also will reduce the facilities’ demand for energy from local utilities, leading to an expected reduction of about 8,000 metric tons in utility carbon dioxide emissions. The $13.6 million project is funded entirely by the energy savings generated by the efficiency improvements.
Chevron Energy Solutions completed the upgrades to 16 buildings in Denver, three in Lakewood and one in Grand Junction. The improvements included upgrading lighting systems; replacing boilers, chillers and piping (some dating to the 1920s); and installing new energy-management systems. In addition, a small portion of the energy savings is funding the installation of a 10-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system at the governor’s residence.
“These upgrades demonstrate that it’s possible to achieve major cost savings through high-efficiency equipment, while incorporating sustainable building materials and efficient design improvements,” said Lance Shepherd, project manager, Office of the State Architect, and project champion.
As a result of the improvements, three of the buildings have been certified by the United States Green Building Council through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design A?AA¢AA¢aAA¬AA¢a?A¬? Existing Building program for adopting sustainability standards that will significantly reduce the facilities’ impact on the environment.