December 12, 2017

Seattle organizations sail toward 20% energy reduction

^{Controls at Shari's Café & Pies in Lynwood, Wash., are seen in this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.} 

Two Seattle-based organizations — King County and Shari's Café & Pies — have been recognized by the U.S. DOE for their efforts in reducing energy intensity at the King County International Airport and the local Shari's in Lynnwood, Wash. 

Through the Better Buildings Challenge, both the country committed to reducing energy use across their properties by at least 20% in 10 years. Thus far, Shari's has reduced its energy intensity 9% toward its goal of 20%; Kings County has reduced its energy intensity 14% toward its 20% goal. 

Toward meeting its goals, King County performed an energy retrofit to one of the oldest and busiest non-hub airport terminals in the nation—the international terminal in the King County International Airport. To-date, the airport has achieved 63% energy savings by adding advanced lighting controls and upgrading the mechanical and lighting systems located throughout the interior of the terminal, as well as installing LED lighting in the outdoor terminal parking lot.

Shari’s Café & Pies in Lynwood is the first full-service restaurant to join the Better Buildings Challenge, committing to a 20% reduction in energy intensity by 2025 across nearly 400,000 square feet of restaurant space. By upgrading their interior and exterior lights with LED lighting and by replacing five heated dipper wells with new manual wells, Shari’s Better Buildings Showcase Project has realized a 28% reduction in energy use and a 43% reduction in water use.

More than 345 organizations from diverse sectors have now stepped up to the Better Buildings Challenge. Across the country, partners have shared energy performance results for nearly 38,000 properties. On average, they are saving more than 2% per year and are on track to meet their energy savings goals of 20% over the next 10 years.