Energy Star Certified
(May 26, 2011, Decorah, Iowa) Oneota Community Food Co-op has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.
“The Co-op is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said David Lester, General Manager. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs. We are only one of three commercial buildings in Winneshiek County to receive this certification and we hope to be a model business in the community and help other businesses earn this certification as well.”
Commercial buildings that earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Oneota Community Food Co-op improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to its building.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment, “ said Jean Lupinacci, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.”
Oneota Staff with the Energy Star Plaque
To earn the ENERGY STAR, Oneota Community Food Co-op took the following actions:
- Invested in the building envelope when the business moved to the new 312 Water St. location in 2008.
- Invested in a heat-recovery tunnel system designed to capture heat produced by the refrigeration and freezer compressors.
- Invested in a high-efficient HVAC system and web-based controls.
- Partnered with the Winneshiek Energy District to create an Energy Star Profile Portfolio to track energy usage and input building data.
- Partnered with the Winneshiek Energy District to conduct a Commercial Energy Audit.
- Implemented day-to-day operational changes suggested in the Commercial Energy Audit.
EPA’s ENERGY STAR energy performance scale helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale may be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Commercial buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR include offices, bank branches, data centers, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, houses of worship, and warehouses.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, theENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 34 million vehicles.
For more information about ENERGY STAR Certification for Commercial Buildings: www.energystar.gov/labeledbuildings
