WPB building is leader in energy saving competition

Several Florida commercial buildings are participating in the second annual “Battle of the Buildings” competition organized by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, according to the program’s website. Two hundred and forty-five buildings across the country are competing to reduce energy waste and improve their energy effiency.

The competitor that demonstrates the greatest percent-based reduction in weather-normalized energy use intensity between Aug. 31, 2010 and Aug. 31, 2011 will be recognized as the winner in November. The EPA has already released its top competitors as well as the progress of all the other participating buildings, which include office buildings and retail stores.

In Florida, Scientific Instruments in West Palm Beach was the top competitor in the office building category with a 30.12 percent reduction, while Garage C in Orlando was the top competitor in the category “other” with a 31.36 percent reduction.

In addition, 350 Las Olas Centre in Fort Lauderdale achieved a 7.75 percent reduction and 450 Las Olas Centre achieved an 8.42 percent reduction. Other buildings that saw a reduction in their energy use are: the Alcatel-Lucent Miramar, the Alhambra West in Coral Gables, Columbus Center in Coral Gables, Oviedo Medical Center, Two Datran Center in Miami, the Wharton Smith Corporate Office in Sanford, the Worship Center in Longwood as well as Cypress Park West Phase 1 and 2 in Fort Lauderdale. But not all buildings have managed to reduce their energy use.

A Staples store in Orlando, for example, increased its energy use by 10.24 percent. — Miranda Neubauer