WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 1, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has earned its 10th ENERGY STAR® designation for the National Housing Center, the downtown Washington, D.C., office building that serves as the association’s headquarters. The designation recognizes buildings that conserve natural resources while providing a comfortable and healthy environment for employees, tenants and visitors.
Since the building was renovated in 2001, the Housing Center’s property manager, Transwestern, has continued to look for ways to make the building more energy efficient. NAHB supports voluntary programs like ENERGY STAR® that go beyond what building codes mandate.
“This 10th ENERGY STAR designation shows our long-term commitment and dedication to making our building as energy efficient as possible,” NAHB CEO Jerry Howard said. “We greatly value the voluntary programs that support efficiency, and so do our members. I am proud of our organization for this great achievement.”
In the past few years, NAHB has completed a number of energy saving projects. One example: replacing incandescent light bulbs in the auditorium and elevators with more efficient LED lights. Additionally, the information technology department has moved to a web-based server system, which diminishes the heat load inside the data center, saving electricity costs and minimizing the wear and tear on heating and air conditioning systems.
Transwestern also updated the building’s irrigation system to a web-based drip system, which integrates the weather and water sensors located in the ground around the building, to only use water when and where it’s needed.
A sign recognizing the ENERGY STAR achievement will be posted at the building’s entrance.
