Energy Efficiency  -  February 21, 2017

Building efficiency upgrades earn federal recognition

Massachusetts-based property management company Corcoran Management was recently named a leader in energy efficiency by the U.S. DOE and the Department of Housing and Urban Development after completing a series of improvements to a Massachusetts apartment building that cut its energy use by 30%. 

The building, Canterbury Towers in Worcester, Mass., has been listed as a showcase project of the DOE's Better Buildings program; Corcoran Management is a Better Buildings Challenge Partner, and in January, hosted a tour of the building's new features. The 120,000-square foot, 156-unit affordable community have cut whole-building source energy use by nearly 30% since 2013, saving Corcoran $50,000 annually on energy costs, the DOE said in a Jan. 19 news release. 

According to the DOE announcement, the improvements achieved include:

• Upgrading exterior and interior lighting systems to LEDs
• Replacing hydrotherm low-efficiency boilers with condensing high-efficiency boilers
• Replacing all windows
• Installing low flow fixtures and aerators on bathroom showerheads and faucets

Additionally, Canterbury Towers has used a 500-gallon solar hot water heating system since 1986.

"Local leadership on energy efficiency is really making a difference in people's lives," said DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan said in January. "Better Buildings Challenge Partners like Corcoran Management are helping people save money, protecting the environment and helping create a road map for others to follow."

A key component of Corcoran Management's efforts is its mandatory sustainability training program for operations and maintenance staff members. These five-hour sessions are held every six weeks for groups of 10-15 employees. To date, 70 employees have completed sustainability training. Corcoran maintenance staff also regularly engages its residents in efforts to promote energy efficiency.

The Better Buildings program is a Smart Energy Decisions content partner.