6C — July 12 - 25, 2019 — Southern Pennsylvania — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
S outhern P ennsylvania PECO Improve your building’s Benchmarking Score
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PECO offers incentives for both existing buildings and new construction. Office spaces that achieve incremental advance- ments in energy efficiency can receive recognition in the form of higher financial incentives as well as certifications such as Leadership in Energy Ef- ficiency Design (LEED). While third-party certifi- cation is not a pre-requisite for participation in PECO incentive programs, buildings that undergo energy efficiency upgrades and achieve LEED certification receive nearly 5% higher occupancy rates, com-
pared to market competitors, and 7% higher average rents. 3 Buildings with LEED or EN- ERGY STAR certification have also commanded, on average, 16% higher sales prices and 4% increases in asset valuation. 4 Identify Energy Efficiency Projects To assist in identifying and implementing cost-effective equipment or process up- grades, PECO maintains a database featuring dozens of local contractors who are familiar with the incentive program and who are available for energy efficiency projects of
s more properties are being required to dis- close energy usage,
all sizes. Selecting an appropriate contractor is made simple by visiting the PECO Smart Ideas for Your Business Contractor Database. Search by location, contractor services or company name. PECO offers incentives for several popular energy effi- ciency measures such as: • Lighting: Interior and exterior LED as well as re- duced wattage T8 or T5 linear fixtures offer quick paybacks. In addition to replacing light- ing fixtures, incentives are available for permanent fix- ture removal in situations where LEDs provide brighter illumination through fewer total fixtures. LEDs typically use 25–80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer, saving on maintenance and operating costs. • Energy management systems: Otherwise known as building automation systems, energy management systems can yield energy savings of more than 30% in older or poorly maintained buildings through the centralized control of HVAC, lighting and other building systems. • HVAC: Comfort systems including high-efficiency air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged terminal air con- ditioners (PTACs), unitary HVAC chillers and demand- controlled ventilation units, are all incentivized on a per- ton basis. • Water Heaters: Heat pump water heaters as well as ENERGY STAR certified commercial gas water heaters qualify in instances where a PECO customer switches from using an electric water heater. • More: Data center up- grades, refrigeration equip- ment and controls, food service equipment and custom retrofit measures. Building owners interested in unlocking the energy ef- ficiency potential within their properties or facilities should contact PECO. 1 Analysis of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Sustainability data 2 https://www.fanniemae.com/con- tent/fact_sheet/energy-star-for-mul- tifamily.pdf 3 https://energy.gov/sites/prod/ files/2013/12/f5/business_case_for_ energy_efficiency_retrofit_renova- tion_smr_2011.pdf 4 http://www.usgbc.org/articles/ business-case-green-building 5 https://energy.gov/energysaver/ how-energy-efficient-light-bulbs- compare-traditional-incandescents
and market demand for en- ergy efficiency grows among both prospective tenants and buyers, proactively reducing energy use is becoming an in- creasingly smart investment. While typical building ex- penses vary, offices in Phila- delphia spend on average $1.33 psf. 1 In the multifamily sector, electricity expenses av- erage a dollar per square foot, with usage greater in high-rise buildings due to larger com- mon spaces. 2
Fortunately, building own- ers can reduce energy costs 20-30% through new energy efficiency technologies, innova- tive lease arrangements, and other control strategies. The deadline for submitting 2018 Building Energy Bench- marking data to the City of Philadelphia was last month. However, it’s not too late to get a head start on improving your benchmarking score for 2019.
For businesses, saving energy never looked so good.
Energy-efficient upgrades are a bright way for businesses of all sizes to reduce operating costs, increase comfort and grow the bottom line. With financial incentives for improving energy efficiency, PECO can help you shine light on new ways to save. ► For more information, call 1-844-4BIZ-SAVE (1-844-424-9728) or visit peco.com/biz . F usiness .
PECO. The future is on.
© PECO Energy Company, 2019
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