Global liquor distributor Diageo, known for its Johnnie Walker scotch and Smirnoff vodka labels, has given its North American headquarters building a swift energy kick and landed a federal energy award in the process.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the property its prestigious Energy Star rating, ranking it among the nation’s top 25 percent in energy performance, officials said.
“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to preserving our environment and our natural resources,” said EPA Energy Star chief Jean Lupinacci.
To qualify, Diageo relied on a number of measures to improve its energy performance enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use of 112 households for a year, authorities said.
These included installing sensors and timers to control high-efficiency indoor lights; automating the heating and cooling system; harnessing natural light and airflow; and changing employee behavior to raise awareness about energy efficiency and savings.
A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for the Energy Star Commercial buildings that can earn the Energy Star include offices, bank branches, financial centers, retail stores, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.
