ENERGY STAR® Buildings

What Are ENERGY STAR® Buildings?
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency created the voluntary ENERGY STAR® Buildings Partnership Program as a means of reducing a building’s total energy consumption. Participants receive unbiased technical information, customized support services, public relations assistance and access to a broad range of resources and tools. Regardless of the company’s size or total number of buildings, the program offers smart investments in energy efficiency with significant cost savings. Building-wide solutions deliver an internal rate of return of 20% or greater.

How Can This Improve Air Quality?
Eliminating wasted energy and reducing energy use translates into less air pollution. That’s because lower energy usage reduces the levels of fossil fuels burned at power plants, which, in turn, reduces the levels of air pollutants that negatively impact ozone. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates that if energy efficient building strategies were implemented by businesses throughout Illinois, by 2015, there would be about a 15% reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions as well as declines in greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and acid-forming sulfur dioxide.

Who Should Participate?
Any building owner, large or small, with one or multiple buildings in the greater Chicagoland region can reap the benefit of participating in the ENERGY STAR® Buildings Partnership Program and joining Clean Air Counts!

Why Should You Participate In The ENERGY STAR® Buildings Partnership Program?

Benefits of participating in the ENERGY STAR® Building Partnership Program include:

• Lower smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions.
• Fewer emissions of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and acid-forming sulfur dioxide for cleaner air.
• Eliminated energy waste and reduced energy use.
• An estimated 20% or greater internal rate of return.
• Reduced utility costs.
• Improved electricity system reliability.
• Less likelihood of a more restrictive regulatory environment for the region in the future.