Why you should design to earn EPA's ENERGY STAR

Get a competitive edge without busting your budget. 

When you achieve Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR, you get access to a suite of marketing materials to help you distinguish your building as designed to be a top energy performer … meaning it will use less energy, cost less to operate, and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a similar building.

The design for your commercial new construction project is eligible for EPA recognition if it will perform, based on energy models, among the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide once constructed. 

Think your new building will inherently have a smaller carbon footprint? Think again.  

When you commission a new commercial building, there are many considerations. Is energy efficiency on the list? You might think that this is something better left to the facility managers once the building is constructed. But contrary to popular opinion, new buildings don’t always perform among the best.

Setting an energy efficiency goal during the design phase — one that can be easily checked against utility bills as you bring this building into your portfolio — is the most cost-effective way to ensure that you’ll end up owning a building that uses less energy, costs less to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a “typical” new building. Plus, you’ll be positioned to stay competitive for decades to come, as well as meet future mandates that you reduce your building’s carbon emissions.

Reap the financial benefits of building green.

According to a recent survey[1], U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms are expecting the following benefits from green building projects:

Still not convinced? Check out ten reasons to pursue ENERGY STAR certification.