Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market St.
Denver, CO 80202
Map It!
1445 Market Street is a five-story commercial office building, with a two-story underground parking garage, located in the Lower Downtown Historic District of Denver, Colorado. Constructed in 1985, the building is owned by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber") and Junior Achievement, and managed by the Chamber. The Chamber and its affiliates occupy the fourth and fifth floors, Junior Achievement occupies the second floor, and the rest of the space is leased as commercial office space.
Having recognized the potential to improve our building's energy and financial performance, the Chamber worked with American Mechanical Services to perform an energy audit and benchmarked the property on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Initial benchmarking in 2010 returned a baseline rating of 45 — below the national average and indicating that changes to the building’s controls and systems would likely lead to large energy savings. The audit report provided context as to how the building was currently consuming energy and ways that the building could improve its operations and systems. Based on recommendations from the audit report, a number of energy saving projects have been prioritized and implemented, with more to follow in the near future.
The first energy saving project, undertaken in November 2012, was the replacement of the building’s 90-ton VAV (inlet guide vanes) rooftop unit that serves the second through fifth floors. This unit was original to the building, undersized, used R-22 and was at the end of its service life. The newly installed 105-ton RTU unit with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) supply fans is 40 percent more efficient than the old unit and has resulted in $15,000 savings annually.
In summer 2013, the building’s single 2 MMBTU Hi/Lo boiler was replaced. The original boiler was manually controlled and only operated at one temperature. The new modular boiler plant consists of two 87 percent efficient 1 MMBTU boilers with 5:1 turndowns and reset controls/outside air cutouts. As a result, natural gas usage has reduced 60 percent.
Renewing the building’s office spaces began in 2014. As part of the remodel all lighting was replaced to LED can lights, T5 indirect fixtures, occupancy sensors, and daylighting controls, significantly reducing lighting intensity while maintaining appropriate lighting levels.
In addition, the building’s pneumatic zone controls were replaced with digital controls, and electronic actuator level controls were installed at all FPVAVs and VAVs. These new controls were linked to the building plant equipment and now allow for true building setbacks, optimal starts, supply air temperature resets, remote access and Cx, and a number of other advanced control strategies.
After $17,371 in Xcel Energy rebates, the total cost of the mechanical retrofit was $580,000 ($280,000 over standard efficiency equipment that was at the end of serviceable life). Projected utility savings in electricity and gas is $40,000 annually, resulting in equipment payback of seven years.
By implementing the above measures the Chamber building has elevated its ENERGY STAR score to 80 and reduced energy consumption by 30 percent over its 2010 baseline, with more savings on the way as construction concludes.
Additional efforts:
--A renovated stairwell, The Healthy Climb fueled by Kaiser Permanente, will encourage physical health and elevator energy savings;
--Sustainable commuting support through complimentary RTD passes, bicycle storage, showers and locker facilities;
--New energy efficient IT equipment includes: replacement of legacy equipment with ENERGY STAR certified laptops; recycled older CRT monitors replaced by flat screens; reduced access to personal printers; and integration of cloud-based solutions;
--Based on a study to increase glass performance, exterior windows have been caulked, custom glazed and now utilize new rubber gaskets as well;
--Measuring energy produced from a wind turbine and 10 solar panels currently installed on the building’s rooftop.
Communications:
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce promotes sustainable energy design by:
--Founding an employee green team and gaining building tenant engagement;
--Hosting an Xcel Energy rebate program through Chamber affiliate, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center;
--Awarding a Green Business of the Year at its annual Business Awards to recognize outstanding sustainability efforts by member companies;
--Participating in sustainability events and conferences, including the Colorado Energy Expo led by our affiliate, the Colorado Energy Coalition.
Communications:
Unavailable
Testimonial:
Whether finding sustainable ways to power our state or our economy, being green is a part of doing business in Colorado. When our equipment exceeded its lifespan, it made sense to move in an energy efficient direction. We live in a state on the forefront of renewable energy, with local companies and education and research institutions setting a high bar for sustainability. Sustaining Colorado’s resources and vitality for future generations, while at the same time saving money, just makes sense.
-- Hollil Riebel, Chief Operating Officer, Denver Metro Chamber of CommercePlease note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce 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:*
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Property Manager:*
N/A
Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2015 (80)
2016 (86)
Facility Type: Office
Total Floorspace: 65622.9 sf
Year Constructed: 1985
Contract Type: None
Technologies Used:
| Stage 2-Lighting |
| Stage 4-Fan Systems |
| Stage 5-Heating and Cooling Plant |
| Other Technologies/Strategies |