125 East John Carpenter
125 East John Carpenter Frwy
Irving, TX 75062
Map It!
By working with ENERGY STAR to make the125 East John Carpenter building more energy efficient, Transwestern is saving the building's owners about $33,500 per year in energy costs.
As a first step, the Transwestern energy management team sought to assess the building's baseline energy performance and to pursue the efficiency gains that could be accomplished through improved operations and maintenance and other low-cost practices. Initial benchmarking in 2007 using EPA's energy management tool, Portfolio Manager, returned a baseline energy performance rating of 69--above the national average, but still not high enough to earn the ENERGY STAR. The team was able to leverage utility incentives to conduct a whole building retro-commissioning survey, a process that revealed a number of significant (but simple) operational changes that resulted in rapid savings. For instance, the team reviewed the property's energy management system (EMS) settings to ensure that the building automation reflected the actual needs of the tenants. Through this process, it was discovered that the building's HVAC systems were being turned on too early with the optimal start feature of the EMS. A simple re-programming of the system reduced energy consumption, resulting in an immediate whole-building energy reduction.
Furthermore, the implementation of a regular preventive maintenance program (including HVAC filter replacement, optimized HVAC scheduling, damper adjustment, and seasonal thermostat recalibration) is expected to save an additional 5-7 percent in annual energy consumption as compared to business as usual, all while taking place within the context of the building staff's regular O&M responsibilities.
In addition to the direct energy savings that have been realized at the building, the property's cooling load was reduced significantly. The installation of high-efficiency variable speed drives on two 100 HP supply fans and premium efficiency motors will help the building achieve continuously high energy performance.
Communications:
In 2007, only one year after its initial benchmarking, the building earned the ENERGY STAR by achieving an energy performance rating of 80 in Portfolio Manager. The dramatic increase in energy efficiency translates into real savings for the building's owner: In the past year, these changes have saved about $250,000 in energy costs. The company is already reinvesting those dollars in improvements to the building's infrastructure to ensure continued high energy performance and maximum tenant comfort.
The building's owners and Transwestern are also reaching out to employees and tenants to spread the word that energy efficiency is good for the bottom line as well as good for the environment.
Testimonial:
"We continually strive to find new ways to reduce energy use by either replacing inefficient equipment or finding ways for existing equipment to run more efficiently. Through monthly monitoring, reporting, and comparisons to historical energy data, we strive to ensure that 125 East John Carpenter runs at high efficiency and is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR each year."
-- Robert Knechel, Chief Engineer, Transwestern
Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Equastone or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.
Service Provider:
Transwestern
Building Owner:*
Equastone
Property Manager:*
Transwestern
Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2009 (78)
2008 (80)
Facility Type: Office
Total Floorspace: 408102 sf
Year Constructed: 1982
Contract Type: None
Technologies Used:
| Stage 1-Recommissioning |
| Stage 2-Lighting |
| Stage 3-Load Reductions |
| Stage 4-Fan Systems |
| Stage 5-Heating and Cooling Plant |
| Other Technologies/Strategies |
For More Info:
Robert Knechel
Irving,
TX
75062
214-550-0665
robert.knechel@transwestern.net