Smithsonian Institution
type: museum, office
sector: institutional
area: 725,297 total sf
location: Suitland, MD & Washington, DC
owner: Smithsonian Institution
case study
project summary
Smithsonian Institution contracted EMO to perform a comprehensive audit and energy evaluation of three of its buildings: the Anacostia Community Museum, the Museum Support Center and the Cultural Resource Center. EMO successfully identified several opportunities for improving energy efficiency and reducing utility costs, compiling a list of cost-effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) that would reduce utility costs and consumption.
specific results:
EMO identified ECMs that would realize annual savings of nearly $270,000 and 785,000 kWh for all three buildings. Measures included low/no cost items (initial cost of $1000 or less with a simple payback of less than 1.3 years) such as installing low flow faucets, reducing and replacing identified lighting fixtures, and installing pipe installation. Equipment and lighting upgrades identified larger potential annual savings, with a greater initial cost and longer simple payback periods of up to 5 years. EMO also determined nearly $130,000 in annual savings would be realized at no cost by reevaluating rate schedules for an attached structure that the power utility considers a separate account.
Total:
- Projected Cost: $333,000
- Annual Cost Savings: $270,000
- Annual Energy Savings: 785,000 KWh
- Annual CO2 reduction: 564 tons/year