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Downtown landmark demonstrates energy savings, increased value and environmental protection
LOS ANGELES –– Commonwealth Management put the final touches on a $4.6 million efficiency upgrade at its 19-story Superior Court building in downtown Los Angeles this summer. Energy upgrades at multi-tenant office buildings create modern buildings that are more marketable with strong financial and environmental returns.
“We are able to provide our tenants with a quality environment they can be proud of while saving energy and ultimately increasing the value of the property,” said Richard Blech of Commonwealth Management.
Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, designed and implemented one contract that included upgrades to the central chilled water plant, air handling units and building controls. The project is expected to reduce annual energy costs by over $95,000. This represents a cost reduction of 11 percent from the 2011 electrical budget.
A second contract included upgrades to lighting technology, which could escalate the overall savings to as much as 20 percent, according to Commonwealth Management.
“Billions of square feet of inefficient office buildings could be catapulted into money-saving, job-creating and greenhouse gas emission-reducing engines of the economy if they followed this model,” said Chuck McGinnis, director commercial energy solutions, Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls. “Comprehensive energy upgrades, such as these retrofits, have a big effect on energy use and the bottom line.”
Forty percent of U.S. energy is consumed by buildings, according to the Department of Energy. In dense urban settings, like Los Angeles, commercial buildings account for up to 75 percent of energy used and 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
ECO Corp, Environmental Corrections Organization LLC, a California-based provider of customized and holistic energy efficiency project services, acted as the owners’ representative on the project. ECO Corp coordinated contractor selection, technical review and financing to reach the project goals.
“Green isn’t green unless it is in the black,” said Tor Ewald of ECO Corp.
The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angles is the major tenant at the 357,000-square-foot building located on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue. According to occupants, the new system has created an improved work environment for judicial officers, staff and litigants.
Built in 1971, the Superior Court building was the first all-glass structure east of New York City and has unobstructed views of the city of Los Angeles. Other building tenants in include the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and the departments of Health Services and Child Support Services.
About CommonWealth Management LLC
Commonwealth Management LLC provides commercial property management for The Superior Court Building, a 357,000 square-foot, 19-story Class A building located in Los Angeles, California. http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/
About ECO
In an era of increasing building operations costs, California-based ECO-Environmental Corrections LLC provides commercial building owners customized and holistic solutions in energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy generation projects. ECO brings the technologies, expertise and financing solutions to reduce building portfolio operating costs and risk, while minimizing environmental impacts and improving tenant satisfaction. http://www.ecocorpo.com/
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2012, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #5 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.
