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T A E T E G I THEBU O T M P T I N LEOF T E O AT B P C M IGAN C O W.MICH WW
“ IS IT EASY TO SAVE MONEY BY SAVING ENERGY?” It’s never been easier to save your business money. Simple changes like adding insulation where there isn’t any, especially along piping and ductwork, will minimize your heating and cooling losses. Reducing air leaks is as simple as sealing door and window cracks. And installing a programmable thermostat to automatically lower heating and raise air conditioning temperatures during off hours will save you even more. Plus, you can tour our Interactive Business or find a certified contractor with our Energy Efficiency Directory for more ways to save. Start saving today, go to dteenergy.com/biztips. Saving money has never been easier.
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APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 3
BY LEARNING FROM THE PAST, WE CAN CREATE A STRONGER FUTURE
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he inaugural 2014 Michigan Battle of the Buildings was a learning experience for all. With over 11.5 million square feet of building space competing, we unveiled exactly what we were hoping - that Michigan businesses are serious about energy optimization and eliminating energy waste in their buildings. We set our internal goal of attracting 1,000,000 square feet of building space into the competition and were pleased when 11,500,000 square feet registered for the 1st Annual Battle of the Buildings. We applaud these building owners, managers, and operators who show their spirit and share their stories so others can learn from their challenges and successes. By doing so, we’re helping to create a better energy future for Michigan by learning about these companies, their business models, goals,
and plans for the evolution of a more sustainable, stable, and dependable energy future. Benchmarking a building’s energy use is the first and most important step in the management of utility costs. One of my favorite sayings in the industry is “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” The Battle of the Buildings program kicked off the year offering Portfolio Manager 101 training classes to all competitors. This free platform created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a valuable tool available to all building operators to help them understand where they are, where they’ve been, and what is possible. Last year, 10 lucky competitors were randomly chosen to receive free ASHRAE Level I energy audits by a local mechanical contractor. For 2015, more contractors
have come on board to offer this service to Battle participants. The audit process can provide information to a building operator who is just beginning their energy efficiency journey and those who have been on this path for some time. Throughout my years in the industry, I have witnessed the value in having someone simply ask “Why are you doing it that way?” It’s human nature to fall into patterns as time progresses and simple questions can get building operators thinking and wondering if there might be another way – a more efficient way. The contestants came together at numerous events throughout the year, learning and networking on behalf of a common goal. Connecting the dots and encouraging relationships that help move people down the path to a better, healthier, more efficient building
is rewarding for everyone involved. We must not underestimate the power of what we can learn from each other. There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to high efficient building operation, and the diversity of building use and climate zone variations brings a unique challenge for buildings to maintain occupant comfort, productivity and health in the most efficient, cost effective way possible. The partnership with our energy providers has been key, as they have a large amount of resources available to building operators and can assist with understanding the impact of a proposed project. It was great working with Consumers Energy in 2014 and we look forward to an even stronger program as we welcomed Consumers Energy and DTE as title partners of the 2015
Battle of the Buildings. The 2015 Michigan Battle of the Buildings attracted nearly three times the amount of competitors and building square footage. With over 28.6 million square feet and 159 buildings involved throughout the state, the program will continue to bring those resources together, providing a platform where building operators, technology leaders, rebates and financing institutions can come together and exchange this information.
Cheri Holman, LEED AP Executive Director U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan
EXHIBITORS B A T T L E A G E N D A
Michigan Battle of the Buildings Award Ceremony & Energy Summit TIME
AGENDA
SPEAKER/EXHIBITOR
8:30am - 9:00am
Networking & Breakfast
Exhibit Space Open
9:00am - 9:15am
Welcome
Cheri Holman, Executive Director USGBCWM/ Michigan Battle of the Builidngs
9:15am - 10:00am
Opening Keynote
Tom Kiser (The Energy Coach) Worthington Energy
10:00am - 10:15am
Break
Exhibit Space Open
10:15am - 11:15am
Breakout Session 1 Choose A or B
A - Overcoming Challenges to Capital & Financing B- Sorting Prioritizing & Effectively Measuring Results
11:15am - 11:30am
Break
Exhibit Space Open
11:30am - 12:30am
Breakout Session 2 Choose A or B
A - Successfully Modifying Behavior of Building Occupants B - Introduction to Architecture 2030 & Michigan 2030 Districts
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
Exhibit Space Open
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Award Presentation
Celebrate the 2014 Battle Competitors
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Closing Keynote
Valerie Brader, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Snyder and Leader of Michigan Agency for Energy
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Exhibit Space Open
4 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
Metro Health Hospital 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN MEDICAL CATEGORY
A
s the cornerstone of the Metro Health healthcare system, Metro Health Hospital must stay on the forefront of new strategies and technologies to remain a leader in sustainable healthcare. “Technology changes quickly,” said Robert VanRees, director of support services. “We must keep our eye on it at all times.” The hospital is 575,000 square feet in size and holds 208 beds; however, VanRees and his team manage 900,000 square feet total for all buildings on the hospital’s campus, a number that continues to grow. When new construction is planned, a lot of time is spent on the front end researching various mechanical and electrical components, such as HVAC systems. For example, VanRees and his team ask critical questions, such as whether air-cooled chillers can be used instead of chilled water systems. Every effort is made to optimize energy efficiency. Since moving into the
building 7 years ago, parking lot lighting systems have been replaced with LED, with over a 2-year return on investment. Metro Health has been able to take advantage of rebates available from utilities companies for many of their campus upgrades and ongoing maintenance projects, such as boiler tune-ups. In addition to the “main load” meter used by utilities to determine overall building consumption, submetering utilizing individual “sub-meters” have been installed on equipment such as HVAC boilers, indoor and outdoor lighting systems, kitchen equipment, and medical equipment, and allows visibility into energy use and performance, creating opportunities for energy reduction at that level. The organization monitors their energy usage through Tracer Summit, a building automation system that provides building control through a single, integrated system. By utilizing this technology, Metro Health
can address problems relating to climate, lighting or energy consumption; however, one of the challenges is that this process is reactive and only alerts Metro Health to issues after the fact. Another challenge to the health system’s energy efforts is that due to their low ENERGY STAR™ score of 22, finding low hanging fruit can be difficult. Although Metro Health occupies a new building, its energy efficient equipment has revealed obvious needs for improvements. The organization also participates in Consumers Energy’s Smart Buildings Program, which requires Metro Health to have an Energy Management Policy in place, identify key performance indicators, have an energy committee and set goals for reduction. It also requires retrocommissioning (RCx), which Metro Health performs annually, as well as boiler tune-ups. But Metro Health’s energy efficient efforts don’t just happen on the back end.
Education on energy efficiency is offered as part of its new employee orientation program and the environmental services housekeeping staff is trained to watch for issues as they perform their daily routines. As Metro Health continues to expand, the organization will continue its energy efficient efforts. Currently, the organization’s 48,000-square-foot vegetative roof holds approximately 3 inches of rainfall, which VanRees knows positively affects the heating and cool-
ing of the building. However, he and his team cannot arrive at the exact calculations like they can for the benefits of storm water management. One of his future goals is to come up with funding for a system that will allow them to benchmark the benefits of the vegetative roof on the heating and cooling costs. “Energy reduction does not happen overnight,” VanRees said. “Constant attention and baby steps has allowed us to continue to reduce costs, even in a newer building.”
It’s not what we do.
It’s why. Our passion for your health includes creating a healthier environment for you and your family. From being named one of West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest Sustainable Companies to being the only hospital in Michigan recognized as a Clean Corporate Citizen, we’re proud to be considered a leader in sustainability.
Your Health. Our Passion.
metrohealth.net
APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 5
Nichols 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN OTHER CATEGORY
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ichols, a regional distributor of custodial and packaging supplies and equipment headquartered in Norton Shores, has been on the energy reduction journey since 2008. In 2007, the company moved its headquarters and distribution center, located in the City of Muskegon, to a vacant 100,000-square-foot building in Norton Shores. The property was the former
home of an industrial building used for cross-docking of automotive products and the building contained many truck docks with overhead doors. At the time, Nichols chose to pursue LEED for Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability in the community and with clients. Improvements to the existing building were made to
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reduce energy usage and at the time of its LEED Certification in June 2010, its ENERGY STAR® score was 79. From 2008 to 2010, the company experienced a 34% reduction in energy usage as a primary result of electrical upgrades to its lighting system in the warehouse facility. “There is always room for more improvement and technology is changing so quick-
ly, especially in the lighting industry,” said Renae Hesselink, vice president of sustainability at Nichols. Since 2010, Nichols has continued its journey with many smaller projects, such as: changing the lighting on the outside of the building to LED; changing a few spaces within the building as lamps or fixtures need replacing to LED; purchasing ENERGY STAR®-rated equipment and appliances as replacements are necessary (copier machines, printers, computers and terminals). “Little things add up,” Hesselink added. “Our ENERGY STAR® score has increased from 79 in 2010 to now 87 in 2015.” Jim Rees, distribution manager for Nichols, shared some of the recently completed projects and future projects that are on the horizon. “We just completed adding CO2 monitors to our HVAC system in the warehouse,” he said. “This will help
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enhance the fresh-air intake only when needed instead of manually adjusting for the need.” The project that most likely contributed to our savings in 2014 was the removal of two lamps in each of 217 fixtures in the warehouse. A lighting upgrade was made from metal halide to florescent fixtures in 2008. Since then re-lamping had occurred one time, in 2012 and the replacement lamps were 25 watt versus 32 watt, so a small reduction in energy use occurred. Rees added: “In 2014 we explored LED replacements, however, since none of the ballasts have started to fail yet we were having a difficult time justifying just switching out good fixtures. Instead we experimented with removing two of the six lamps, tested for light levels to make sure that it didn’t compromise the quality of the work performed in the warehouse and decided to remove two lamps from every fixture in the Spring of 2014.” He also added “Once ballast starts to fail we will install LED technology and maybe that will occur in 2015, which will help us be a good competitor in Battle of the Buildings 2015!” According to Rees, project plans for 2015 include new lighting systems on the exterior of the building for the truck docks, installing pole lighting in the parking lots, and office lighting will be replaced with LED when ballast start to fail. Other major projects that have been identified include another change in the lighting system in the warehouse to LED, once ballasts start to fail; a lighting control system that will give the capabilities of zone lighting in parts of the warehouse where work is being conducted and the use of renewable energy. The company has a prime spot for PV solar and has explored the possibility of at least a 100 Kw system, which would contribute to about one-third of its total electric use annually. “It was exciting to be part of the 2014 Battle of the Buildings of West Michigan,” Hesselink said. “We encouraged our customers to get involved; a friendly battle around energy reduction was so much fun. We have already registered our Norton Shores headquarters for 2015 and will also enter our Holland facility.”
6 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
"The Battle of the Buildings competition isn't exclusive to high performing buildings, instead it recognizes buildings based on improvements from their own baseline. By measuring and awarding building owners based on self-improvement we reach more real estate with the tools and resources necessary to keep up with rapidly changing technology. By providing a place to exchange this information we give ourselves the opportunity to share resources, learn from and teach one another in our own backyard, thereby elevating the strength of Michigan's Energy Future."
JSJ Corporation 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN OFFICE CATEGORY
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rand Haven-based JSJ Corporation is perhaps better known by its six brands: Dake, GHSP, Sparks, izzy+, mcloone and Hudson Technologies. As its corporate office needed replacements for traditional facility items like roofing and HVAC, facility manager Bruce Anderson researched solutions that would lower operating costs. He discovered the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan
(USGBC-WM) and began implementation using some of their guidelines. Anderson wanted to make the facility work for the business. He quickly realized he had to educate the workforce to develop more sustainable habits. When Cheri Holman, Executive Director of the USGBC-WM told Bruce about the Battle of Buildings he thought it fit well with JSJ’s values. “At JSJ, we try to live our values every day,” Anderson
Cheri Holman Executive Director, USGBC-WM
said, “and that includes leaving the world a better place by taking personal responsibility for health, safety and our environment.” JSJ’s biggest project over the past year was replacement of the boiler system in the fall of 2014. The new dual-stage boiler system with web-based control system saves JSJ on maintenance and energy costs. “We try to tackle the small projects, too, because they all add up in the end,”
Anderson said. Some examples include occupancy sensor lighting controls, higher efficiency lighting, modified irrigation system and a can-and-bottle recycling program. “We entered the Battle of Buildings to learn and share information. We are honored to have been chosen as a winner,” Anderson said. Anderson will take what he learned and share the improvement results with the other JSJ facilities. He
notes, “It isn’t always easy to change but with these results we can show the impact of the new ideas and plan for a better future.”
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WE ARE PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR OUR EFFORTS IN 2014 AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMPETING AGAIN IN 2015. enichols.com
APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 7
Pierce Creek Foundation Visitors Center 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN EDUCATION CATEGORY
T
he Willard G. Pierce and Jessie M. Pierce Foundation started as a dream of doing something to give back to Barry County. Bill and Jessie Pierce’s dream eventually grew into an environmental education center, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, which is set on 661 acres in rural Barry County
in Southwest Michigan. Today, the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a mix between an environmental education center, nature center and biological field station that provides visitors with an opportunity for outdoor education and exposure to a blend of diverse habitats including wetlands, forests,
marshes, streams, lakes and prairies. As a dedicated educator, botanist and wetland expert, Dr. Gary Pierce, the founder’s son, felt strongly that learning is self-motivated. He said humans have the responsibility to be aware of the environmental consequences of their lives and
then to preserve, manage, and restore natural landscapes. Because of this, Gary was instrumental in the design of the Institute. He made sure the buildings were environmentally efficient and harmoniously designed to blend into the landscape. More importantly it was designed to have the smallest environmental footprint possible. According to Matt Dykstra, program manager, and Todd Wattles, facilities manager, paying attention to their energy and environmental impact is an important part of the Institute’s mission. Prior to even hearing about the Michigan Battle of the Buildings Program, the duo had already begun implementing energy savings. Since implementing sustainable practices in 2009 that allowed them to analyze energy consumption, water usage and solid waste, the Institute has reduced its energy usage by 20% and
solid waste by over 50%. In conjunction with its environmental policy, the Institute has been invited to be part of the Green Venues pilot program through the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. Throughout 2015, the Institute will continue to increase West Michigan’s awareness of renewable energy through sustainable living programs and best practices. The Institute would also like to invest in renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic systems, in the future, as it would allow it to make energy on-site, further reduce its carbon footprint and control energy costs well into the future.
WHAT WE DO OUR MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM THE WAY BUILDINGS AND COMMUNITIES ARE DESIGNED, BUILT, AND OPERATED THAT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WEST MICHIGAN.
WHY WE DO IT WE BELIEVE IN CREATING PLACES THAT COMPLEMENT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITIES. PLACES LIKE THIS GIVE PEOPLE BETTER, BRIGHTER, AND HEALTHIER SPACES TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
want more? JOIN US ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 FOR THE BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS AWARDS CEREMONY AND ENERGY SUMMIT
$75 FOR NON-MEMBERS $65 FOR USGBC MEMBERS (BREAKFAST AND LUNCH INCLUDED) WE WILL BE OFFERING
50% OFF CHAPTER MEMBERSHIPS
IF YOU SIGN UP AS A NEW MEMBER DURING THE EVENT
8 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
Muskegon Area Transit Authority Louis A. McMurray Conference Center 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS CATEGORY
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he word “sustainability” has been defined in many ways. To the Muskegon County Department of Public Works (DPW), it’s the concept of equal support for the three aspects of a triple bottom line – social equity, eco-
nomic prosperity and environmental integrity – as the foundation on which to build the future. Muskegon County, a forward thinking community on the shores of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, originally embarked on a
path of sustainability in 2010 when the DPW developed a sustainability coordinator position, showing their focus on the triple-bottom-line approach. Sara Damm, the current sustainability coordinator, helps develop and imple-
ment sustainability programs within Muskegon County government and throughout the community. Her work is supported by an internal sustainability steering committee and leadership group to ensure that sustainability efforts are coming from all angles (i.e. top-down and bottom-up). “Through the steering committee and leadership group the top three focuses currently are: waste reduction/recycling; energy conservation and employee health and wellness,” Damm said. “Each department is taking steps to implement each focus. For example, Health West (formerly Community Mental Health) has changed all printers to print duplex and they opened up an area within their facility that allows staff to work at a treadmill desk.” Damm also is the chair of the Muskegon County Environmental Coordinating Council (MCEEC) which was formed in 1991 to promote cooperation between government, community groups,
regulators and local business throughout the county. “The MCEEC is more of an informational group, though many different sectors participate in the organization,” Damm said. “It’s good to hear what different organizations are doing to help conserve and protect the natural environment.” The Muskegon County DPW is doing its fair share in helping to protect the natural environment. In 2010, Muskegon County worked with Honeywell, a global technology leader in energy efficiency, to implement a 15-year Energy Performance Contract, by which various energy savings components were installed in over 20 facilities. According to Damm, energy audits are currently showing an energy savings well over the estimated projection. Various facilities across the county have begun the initial stages of LED retrofits, which show a return on investment of less than 3 years. Other sustainability actions include an internal recycling initiative where county staff are required to utilize centralized recycle stations to dispose of waste, in some cases having to empty their own wastebaskets into the stations. By doing so, Damm said, the county has saved over $3,000 in trash bags alone. The county isn’t planning on stopping there. Over the next 3 to 5 years, its goals are to implement a comprehensive recycling center, as well as consolidate a few municipal transfer stations into a Sustainability Center, according to Damm. “We’re also working with MSU to partner on some deconstruction research to help resolve the blighted properties in Muskegon County in a responsible, economically feasible, and environmentally friendly manner,” Damm said. “Understanding that recycling creates four times the amount of employment than a traditional landfill and indirectly increases the local economy, we’d like to focus on becoming a more forward-thinking community, and Muskegon County has a lot to offer in that respect.”
APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 9
City of Grand Rapids Wastewater Treatment Plant 2ND PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS CATEGORY
M
ike Lunn, environmental service manager for the City of Grand Rapids’ wastewater treatment plant, says that records show the city has been talking about energy efficiency since the 1930s. When the USGBC West Michigan chapter spoke to him, he referenced an energy audit from 1982 that was currently sitting on his desk. This is not a new topic, however, new technology has given the city new opportunities to reduce its electricity from 2013 to 2014 by 1.7 million kilowatts. The wastewater treatment plant, comprised of 26 buildings spanning over 55 acres, at 1300 Market Street, provides wastewater collection and treatment services for approximately 270,000 homes within the city and the surrounding areas. The original facility was constructed in the 1920s, and underwent expansions in the 1950s and again in the 1970s.
“We always take the environment, as well as social aspects of sustainability into consideration, along with the financial return on investment when considering upgrades and new technology implementation,” Lunn said. “What we do affects public health as well as the taxpayer’s pocketbook and there can be a huge unforeseen cost if we do not look at all aspects before implementation.” Projects that contributed to the city’s recent success in energy savings include the replacement of 270 outdoor light fixtures to LED, resulting in an electrical savings of $10,468 annually as well as an estimated $4,400 annual savings in maintenance costs due to the 22-year life expectancy of the lamps. The total savings of the fixtures life expectancy would be $327,096. The city recently received a Consumers Energy rebate of $10,836 and is expecting a 4.3-year
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return on investment. Other recent projects at the city include installation of two new 650-horsepower blowers, which replace the 900-horsepower blowers resulting previously used. The city also took advantage of the Michigan Revolving Fund for Green Projects, which forgives approximately $950,000, with an anticipation of 1.8 million kilowatt annual savings. When asked what project was most exciting, Lunn described the installation of two ZAPS LiquID™ analyzers in the UV buildings in 2013. The city’s admiration for modern technology has
IN COLLABORATION WITH
led it to new tools, such as a zero-angle photo spectrometer and real-time controls, which now allow it to monitor processes at the plant in a convenient and more accurate manner. Utilizing this technology, it can analyze samples collected from the effluent side of the north and south UV areas. These units are designed to analyze multi-parameters, do not require any chemical reagents and have been configured to analyze for CBOD, COD, E. coli, ammonia, nitrate/nitrates, temperature, total suspended solids and UV transmission. The units monitor in “real-time” and will to determine the dosage of UV, which will significantly reduce electrical costs for disinfection. Since the units indicate immediately what dosage of UV is needed, the guesswork has been removed. Since the implementation of this project, a savings of
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700,000-kilowatt hours and an annual savings of $65,000 have occurred, with a 3-year return on investment. As the city continues its energy efficiency efforts, it also will implement a largescale solar project on the city-owned portion of the former Butterworth landfill. The system would generate approximately 4 megawatts of solar energy, which would directly benefit the wastewater treatment plant. A Request for Proposal was recently released and completion of the project would be 2016. “We cannot afford not to invest in new technology that reduces our energy usage,” Lunn said. “It all has to make economic sense and projects that we have implemented or consider [to implement] have a reasonable payback while allowing us to improve service to our customers and also a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.”
KILOWATT COMBATANT
thank you to our 2014/2015 partners
TITLE PARTNERS
WATT WARRIORS
BUILDING AUDIT PARTNERS
battle supporters: west michigan sustainable business forum and aia michigan
10 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
Porter Hills 1ST PLACE
Porter Hills Village 2ND PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN SENIOR LIVING CATEGORY
W
hen you are in the business of caring for others, it could be easy to overlook caring for the world around you. This is not the case for Porter Hills. With 10 campuses that provide services from housing to complete health care, Porter Hills has a large footprint in the Grand Rapids area with innovative ideas for continued growth. What began as a project to receive LEED Silver Certification for Porter Hills’ Green House Homes, turned into the creation of a “green team” that developed core policies that would focus Porter Hills’ efforts to better the environment around them. This was the reason that Porter Hills entered both its flagship campus, Porter Hills Village, located at 3600 E. Fulton, and the Porter Hills corporate office, located at 4450 Cascade, into the 2014 West Michigan Battle
of the Buildings Program. Porter Hills Village engaged in numerous projects this past year, the biggest of which was the replacement of three boilers 35 years old, with seven modern boilers this past fall. Porter Hills Village also replaced multiple windows, began educating residents and staff and conducting regular walkthroughs of its campus with its environmental services team. “Opening the lines of communication made a big difference,” said Maegan Garlock, wellness director at Porter Hills Village. “Repairs and maintenance needs are identified more quickly and that made a difference.” Porter Hills’ corporate office did not institute any large scale changes over the last year. Rather, it continued its policies that it began years ago with replacing light fixtures, ballasts and
bulbs and improving the venting and heating systems. “We installed motion sensors on the lights,” said Sue Dennis, purchasing agent for Porter Hills. “But our future goal is to replace the air handler and air conditioner roof top unit.” Ingrid Weaver, vice president of business development for Porter Hills, added that “residents also are concerned about the footprint we leave and enjoy being involved in exploring opportunities.” The response has led to Porter Hills thinking more environmentally friendly and efficient with future
renovations and development, along with initiating other new ways to create healthy living environments among its locations. Porter Hills is looking to expand its sustainability initiatives and get more campuses involved in the 2015 Battle of the Buildings competition. Porter Hills not only has plans to expand its campuses in the future but it is also looking to expand its services outside of its four walls. New programs such as Avenues,
Tandem 365 and Emmanuel Hospice are allowing Porter Hills to broaden its reach to more seniors throughout Kent County. As with everything, Porter Hills is looking to the bigger picture. “We are purposeful in everything we do,” Weaver said, “from building valued relationships with each person we encounter to creating healthy living and working environments.”
2014 Energy Savings Biggest Loser’s combined total = 1,149.6 metric tons of CO2e
this is equivalent to:
Carbon sequestered by 942 acres of U.S. forests in 1 year
Greenhouse gas emissions from 2,737,143 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle
CO2 emissions of 1,234,801 pounds of coal burned
Ensuring a BRIGHT future futu for graceful living.
Battle of the Buildings Senior Living Category
1st Place: Porter Hills Corporate Office 2nd Place: Porter Hills Village
Trusted experts serving seniors with grace.
616-949-4975
4450 Cascade Rd SE, Ste 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 www.porterhills.org
12 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
“The increased participation in the 2015 Michigan Battle of the Buildings program and the high number of returning 2014 competitor buildings shows that mixing fun and friendly competition can yield results. The contest is simple and easy to understand without eliminating anyone due to the current place in their unique journey to a higher performing building. The battle doesn’t require a commitment of what you will achieve over the course of a year or several years. Instead, it educates and encourages results by awarding those buildings that yield the highest percentage improvement from their own baseline. “ Cheri Holman Executive Director, USGBC-WM
The Pyramid Scheme 1ST PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORY
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he Pyramid Scheme has been a staple of the Heartside Neighborhood music scene for years and serves as a place for artists and musicians of Grand Rapids. The live music venue is open daily, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and hosts local, regional and national performers three to four times a week. But The Pyramid Scheme isn’t just an ambassador for music; it’s also an ambassador for sustainable business practices. “We want to be respon-
sible members of the community and responsible business owners,” said Tami VandenBerg, co-owner of The Pyramid Scheme. “We want to reduce our impact on the environment. We have a successful business, so we feel we have an obligation to lead by example.” In June 2014, approximately 72 solar rooftop panels were installed at The Pyramid Scheme, to produce 30% of the venue’s energy. VandenBerg was initially approached about the sustainable remodel by the
Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) for Well House, her nonprofit organization, however, other priorities needed to be filled at Well House, so VandenBerg suggested The Pyramid Scheme and AES took the lead from there. The solar panels are expected to last 25 years, providing at least 15 years worth of free electricity from the sun. According to Brett Little, executive director of AED, he’s been seeing a 7 to 10 year return on investment for homes and businesses
with solar panels. According to VandenBerg, The Pyramid Scheme also is putting other green policies in place. The venue has changed out all of its light bulbs to energy efficient LEDs and has worked
with its staff on decreasing all utility usage. When the venue is not in use, all heat, air conditioning and lights get turned off. Since the solar panel project was completed mid-year, VandenBerg said she’s looking forward to participating in the 2015 Michigan Battle of the Buildings program and seeing the project’s full impact over the next 12 months. “We hope that many other business owners consider making major investments in renewables,” Vandenberg said. “We all need to take climate change seriously and do our part.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST LOSERS OF THE MICHIGAN BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS Pierce Creek Foundation Visitors Center 1st Place Biggest Loser in Education Category The Pyramid Scheme 1st Place Biggest Loser in Entertainment Category Odawa Casino Resort 2nd Place Biggest Loser in Entertainment Category
Metro Health Hospital 1st Place Biggest Loser in Medical Category JSJ Corporation 1st Place Biggest Loser in Office Category Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. 2nd Place Biggest Loser in Office Category
Nichols 1st Place Biggest Loser in Other Category River House Condominiums 2nd Place Biggest Loser in Other Category Muskegon Area Transit Authority Louis A McMurray Conference Center 1st Place Biggest Loser in Public Buildings Category
City of Grand Rapids Wastewater Treatment Plant 2nd Place Biggest Loser in Public Buildings Category Porter Hills 1st Place Biggest Loser in Senior Living Category Porter Hills Village 2nd Place Biggest Loser in Senior Living Category
APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 13
Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. 2ND PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN OFFICE CATEGORY
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o Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTCH), sustainability refers to the ongoing effort to balance the use of our planet’s resources with nature’s ability to continue regenerating them. This stems from the realization that our air, land and water are valuable, limited assets that must be managed wisely to ensure they will be available to future generations. “This definition guides our sustainable design ethos,” said Mark Zoeteman, LEED administrator at FTCH. “FTCH works at the vital intersection between nature and culture, integrating responsible care for our environment with the ordinary and extraordinary needs of modern life.” And FTCH doesn’t just say it believes in sustainable design; it shows. Its headquarters in Grand Rapids was Gold certified under USGBC’s LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating
system in 2011. The certification was based on green operations and management practices, including areas the firm addressed such as: green site and building exterior management; water-efficient landscaping; commissioning electrical and HVAC systems; 20% annual energy reduction; purchasing sustainable office equipment, paper, furniture, supplies, and building materials; and reducing water consumption utilizing low-flow plumbing fixtures to name a few. As a consulting company, both the need and the drivers for alignment and crosspollination of ideas on sustainability are built into their daily work process. “Our company provides a broad range of services to our clients from architectural planning, programming and design to engineered systems for buildings and processes, to environmental compliance and consulting,” Zoeteman said. “The real value we
offer our clients is our capability to seamlessly consider challenges, integrate ideas and provide coordinated solutions to extend the value of their investment and longterm return on their properties and operations.” Since FTCH continually strives to reduce their carbon footprint and remain committed to responsible environmental stewardship, the company joined the Michigan USGBC Battle of the Buildings (BOTB) program because it fit well with its energy reduction goals. According to Zoeteman, it also allowed FTCH to showcase its specialized areas of existing building commissioning (EBCx) and energy auditing. As a result of its participation in BOTB, FTCH instituted changes to the building systems and perhaps more importantly, implemented simple operational and behavior modifications that help to substantially reduce
its overall energy consumption. This included changes to their HVAC equipment and lighting fixtures to improve efficiency, in addition to something as simple as encouraging staff to make sure lights were off when leaving an office or conference room. “Participating in the BOTB program has helped to re-energize these efforts among staff and reaffirm the importance of our ongoing commitment toward sustainability,” Zoeteman said. FTCH will use the excitement of receiving the Office category award in the 2014 BOTB program to push forward with several exciting projects in 2015 and beyond. According to Zoeteman, FTCH is currently develop-
ing plans for a large university housing project and a new academic laboratory building in West Michigan and is the LEED administrator on a Southeast Michigan project that is proposed to be one of the first LEED-NC v4 projects in the world. “We feel lucky to have so many clients willing to go the extra yard by engaging FTCH in the multi-discipline development of large-scale energy efficient LEED projects,” Zoeteman said.
14 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS APRIL 20, 2015
Odawa Casino Resort 2ND PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORY
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ot unlike other companies, Odawa Casino Resort began its energy efficiency journey with what started as a moderate lighting project. Fast-forward to 2014 and its sustainable efforts have increased tri-fold. Last year, Odawa Casino Resort installed variable frequency drives (VFD) on eight belt-driven motors. The VFDs prevent motors from running at full speed all of the time, reducing the need for costly belt replacements. Instead, VFDs adjust the motor’s electrical supply to efficiently meet varying process requirements, which saves energy and extends equipment life. “I think, as with any company, energy cost savings would be the biggest reason to implement energy efficiency,” said Dave Heinz, lead electrician at Odawa Casino Report, “but the Odawa Casino Resort also believes it is very important to reduce our carbon footprint.” In addition to gaming,
Odawa Casino Resort features multiple restaurants and retail outlets, a concert venue (Ovation Hall), nightclub (The O Zone Nightclub), and a circular lounge bar in the middle of the gaming floor (Rendezvous). The resort also includes an AAA Diamond-rated hotel. “A lot of our savings come from involving the whole Odawa team,” Heinz said. “We save over $9,000 a year because our team members walk up a flight of stairs instead of using the elevator, reducing riding up the elevator by over 30,000 rides a month.” Heinz also estimates that the casino’s kitchen staff has reduced their consumption cost by $17,000 per year by changing the kitchen startup and shutdown procedures. “We ask them to shut down computers that don’t need to be on at the end of the day, saving $9,526.59 annually,” Heinz said. “I think that our team members are saving the casino, at no cost to do it, over $40,000 a year.”
According to Heinz, Odawa Casino Resort is proactive in its energy efficiency and performs boiler tune-ups every 2 years. Over the last 6 years, it has reduced gas consumption by over 25%. But conservation efforts don’t end there. In 2014, Odawa Casino Resort recycled 22.7 tons of glass, plastic, metal and paper and 40.2 tons of cardboard. According to Heinz, the casino also recycled 468 pounds of batteries and 930 pounds of scrap metal. In December 2014, the company completed another large-scale project by converting 177 metal halide parking lot lights to LED. It also replaced 840 incandescent lamps to LED inside the casino. The project cost $63,000, but Odawa Casino Resort received a $37,000
rebate from the Great Lakes Energy’s Energy Optimization Program and the return on investment will be 8.16 months. Since the formation of the Energy Reduction Committee in late 2009, Odawa Casino Resort has reduced its electrical consumption by close to 5 million kilowatt-hours. “A big reason we were able to do this is [because of] Great Lakes Energy’s Energy Optimization (EO) Program rebates,” Heinz said. “To date, we have received $136,338.41 in rebates and we are saving $362,500 annually. The EO program makes selling the job to upper management easy.”
With a win from the 2014 Michigan Battle of the Buildings program under its belt, Odawa Casino Resort is continuing to look for future opportunities to reduce energy consumption. “We are always looking at new technology for our future projects,” Heinz said. “We have two large projects we are looking at for 2015 or 2016.” According to Heinz, their first project for 2015 will include replacing over 600 F54T5 lamps in their soffits with a color-changing LED lamp that is 18 watts per 4-foot lamp. This project will reduce consumption by approximately 190,000 kilowatt-hours per year.
MICHIGAN BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS CONGRATULATES ALL OF 2014 ENERGY WARRIORS
... A CRUSADE AGAINST KILOWALTS, A BARRAGE AGAINST BIU’S EDUCATION CATEGORY:
OTHER CATEGORY:
PUBLIC BUILDINGS CATEGORY:
Pierce Cedar Creek Institution Education Building
Amway World Headquarters Complex
Spring Lake District Library
Western Michigan University Health & Human Services
Steelcase Kentwood West Plant
Muskegon County Michael E Kobza Hall of Justice
Hilite International
White Lake Community Library
Steelcase Grand Rapids Wood Plant
Muskegon County Community Mental Health John Halmond Center
Kendall College of Art & Design Fountain Building Kendall College of Art & Design Woodbridge N Ferris
ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORY:
Brewery Vivant Parker Hannifin FSC Division Headquarters
The Meanwhile Bar
SENIOR LIVING CATEGORY:
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Clark Retirement Community
MEDICAL CATEGORY: GR Equities, LLC
OFFICES CATEGORY: Stryker 1901 Steelcase Global Headquarters Steelcase University & Innovation Center Catalyst Partners & M Retail
APRIL 20, 2015 BATTLE OF THE BUILDINGS 15
River House Condominiums 2ND PLACE BIGGEST LOSER IN OTHER CATEGORY
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iver House Condominiums is a 34-story, 205 unit, residential skyscraper built on the west bank of the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, located next to Bridgewater Place. It’s the tallest building in Grand Rapids, the tallest all-residential building in Michigan and the tallest building in the state outside of Detroit. The mission of the River House is to create and sustain River House as the premier residential community in downtown Grand Rapids and it aims at maximizing owners’ value by managing a customer oriented, cost effective, safe and efficient property. As part of this mission, energy efficiency plays a very significant role. According to Mark Holzbach, resident of River House, the River House Condo Association aspires to be true to its mission and values of respect, transparency, friendliness, inclusion, ethicalness and community, both inside and outside the
building. It’s also because River House hopes to inspire others to join in their mission and to share those values. Over the last 2 years, River House has taken steps to optimize the efficiency of the building, including various lighting upgrade projects. “The retrofit of 77 metal halide lamps to LED in the parking garage resulted in a 2.4 year return on investment,” said Scott Russell, senior electrical engineer at Spectrum Health and member of the River House board. Other energy optimization activities required no upfront costs, like reprogramming all the common corridor thermostats to a higher temperature in the summer and lower in the winter months. According to Scott, they’ve also “added lighting controls that reduce light levels from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” rather than having the fixtures energized 24 hours a day. River House also has partnered with the City of Grand Rapids to provide recycling containers in the loading dock area for use by all of
the building residents to utilize, Scott said. “Although our residents control their individual condo energy use, our Association entering the Battle of the Buildings demonstrates our dedication to asset stewardship (in both a real estate sense and in an environmental sense) and transparency,” Holzbach said. “We hope it inspires others to track and improve their energy use.” The journey for River House is just beginning, as the group continues to explore options for future projects. “We aspire to be true to our mission and values,” Holzbach said. “We hope to inspire others and entering the Battle of the Buildings demonstrates our dedication to asset stewardship.” Holzbach originally learned of the Battle of the Buildings program at a meeting he attended in Grand Rapids in January 2014. When he proposed the idea to the River House board, the group was enthusiastic to join.
With the help of Dick Shaw, former River House Condo Association board member and current technical education consultant and standards manager at Air Conditioning Contractors of America, River House pulled together its energy utility records, signed up for an ENERGY STAR™ account and entered the 2014 competition. This year, Russell led the
charge to get all of the information updated and submitted before the competition deadline. “It’s an activity that is in perfect alignment with our mission statement,” Holzbach said. “We sincerely hope that the management of other buildings like ours will follow our lead.”
Colorful Lives Creating Community Colorful lives are created by a vibrant community rich with opportunities for personal growth, friendships, and fun. To learn more about life at Clark Retirement Community, call 616-452-1568 or visit clarkretirement.org today. Independent & Assisted Living Dementia Care Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Home Care (Clark at Home)
ARE YOU BATTLE READY?
Consumers Energy is a proud sponsor of the Michigan Battle of the Buildings 2015 because we are strongly committed to energy efficiency. It’s good for our state, our businesses and for all of us who live and work here. The Michigan USGBC Battle of the Buildings Program is a way to encourage energy-efficient practices in buildings across the state and instill a spirit of friendly competition among the area’s building owners and operators. The 159 competitors are set and ready for battle and we thank them for their participation. May the best building win! For more information visit MichiganBattleoftheBuildings.org.
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