The 81-year-old Empire State Building is now in its 3rd year of a massive makeover designed to cut energy usage and modernize its decor.This 102-story Art Deco skyscraper featuring 2.6 million square feet,6,500 windows and 68 elevators is a signature building in Manhattan's skyline and was built back when energy usage wasn't much of a concern.
Photo:Empire State Building with Purple Lighting
Lighting and cooling and heating are the Empire State Buildings largest energy guzzlers,and were top on the list of retrofits.The upfront costs for large older buildings tend tend to be the deterrent for retrofitting,but the expected energy savings for this American design classic is expected to pay back the upfront investment costs in only about three years.
The Empire State Building's building-wide,sustainability retrofit includes(also view the power point presentation):
Updated energy efficient lighting Insulation film will be installed between the double panes of the windows Double hung operable windows Insulation behind radiators Rebuild chillers in the cooling plant in the basement The addition of Direct Digital Controls(DDC)Updated Tenant Lighting,Daylighting,and Plugs Tenant Energy Management.
Photo:Empire State Building's Window Retrofit
No need to worry,the Empire State Building's energy efficient lighting retrofit will most likely go unnoticed to its visitors.The Empire State Building will continue to devote their evening lighting ceremonies to valid causes.
