(Photo: Flickr)

A recent study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that a commercial building with an environmental certification (such as LEED) will rent for about 3% more per square foot and the building may sell for as much as 16% more than a non-certified building. This is good news for the Empire State Building, which is receiving a $20 million energy-efficiency retrofit as part of a $500 million refurbishing project, according to the New York Times. Planners say the upgrades should result in $4.4 million in energy savings annually - a 38% energy reduction.

The energy upgrades are being coordinated by the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls Inc., and Jones Lang LaSalle. Planners want the building to qualify for LEED Gold status once the work is completed in 2013.

Improvements include:

• Triple-glazed insulation on 6,500 thermopane glass panes using existing glass and sashes.
• Insulation behind radiators to reduce heat loss and heat the building perimeter more efficiently.
• Updated lighting designs and added controls that mix lighting with available natural light.
• Power-saving plug load occupancy sensors.
• Chiller and ventilation control retrofits to improve efficiency, air quality and comfort.
• Individualized, web-based power usage systems for each tenant.

According to the New York Times, commercial buildings account for a quarter of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions, and these improvements will reduce the emissions of the Empire State Building by about 105,000 metric tons per year. As commercial building owners all over the country awaken to the economic and environmental benefits of retrofitting their properties, they will experience energy cost savings never seen before while fighting global warming.

• Read more: “Empire State Building Getting Energy Efficiency Overhaul,” (Environmental Leader, 4/6/09)
• Related: “New York City Dims Skyscrapers,” (eNewswire, 11/19/08)