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ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings & Plants
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ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

Ridgehaven Green Building
9601 Ridgehaven Court
San Diego, CA 92123
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The Ridgehaven Green Building in San Diego, California, was the first building in the nation to qualify for the ENERGY STAR, achieving an energy performance rating better than 90 percent of similar buildings in the United States, according to EPA's Portfolio Manager. Built in 1981, the 73,700-square-foot structure was renovated by the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department in 1996 to demonstrate that green buildings can be developed within municipal guidelines and budgets. At that time, the energy efficiency upgrades that helped earn the building the ENERGY STAR were part of a project developed in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric that used off-the-shelf technology to reduce energy cost intensity and prevent pollution. The Ridgehaven Green Building's success motivated the City of San Diego to adopt a Council Policy establishing the City's commitment to green building practices. Recognizing this top performing Environmental Services Department Building with the ENERGY STAR will further the City's energy efficiency efforts to bring additional facilities up to ENERGY STAR performance levels.
For the 1996 renovation, the City joined in a unique partnership called the Green Partnering Program with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and Public Technology, Inc. SDG&E and EPRI provided significant financial incentives for energy efficiency measures, and together funded a consultant, Gottfried Technology, for energy efficiency and development of the partnership program for the City. Manufacturers of selected energy efficiency and environmentally enhanced products donated or gave discounts on the building products used in exchange for public recognition and other privileges. Additionally, manufacturers' environmentally sound products and services that contributed to the building renovation are showcased in educational exhibits on display on the building's first floor.
After becoming the nation’s first ENERGY STAR Certified Building in 1999, the Ridgehaven Building has continued to improve. For the recent 2014 recognition, the building received an ENERGY STAR Rating of 92, its highest score across 5 certifications. This can largely be attributed to ongoing facility improvements, as well as operation and maintenance of the 55 KW onsite solar system, interior and exterior lighting, low flow faucets and toilets, water source heat pumps and cooling towers, 2013 cool roof installation, Xeriscape landscaping, and many other programs that combined to promote this building’s ongoing performance.

Interior Lighting: http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/geninfo/ridgehaven/lighting.shtml

Xeriscape information: http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/geninfo/ridgehaven/garden.shtml

Communications:

Unavailable

Testimonial:

Unavailable


Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by City of San Diego (ESD/ESEP) 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.

Building Owner:*
City of San Diego (ESD/ESEP)

Property Manager:*
N/A

Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
1999 (90)
2005 (91)
2006 (88)
2009 (91)
2014 (92)
2015 (90)

Facility Type: Office

Total Floorspace: 73700 sf

Year Constructed: 1981

Contract Type: None

Technologies Used:
Unavailable