GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –  The City of Grand Rapids announced that the city buildings at 1120 and 300 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance. The city has achieved certification on 3 other buildings over the past 5 years and each of those buildings saw improved scores in 2023.

ENERGY STAR certified buildings are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.

The City of Grand Rapids has worked with local engineering and energy consultant, E3M Solutions over the last 5 years to complete the certifications in order to add new buildings and remain in the top 25% with improved scores. Not all buildings qualify for certification but with the addition of these 2 new buildings, all city owned buildings that are managed by the facilities department and do qualify are now certified.

“We’re honored to earn the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance at 2 additional city buildings and to continue to improve our scores on all certified buildings,” said Steve Prins, Director of Facilities and Fleet Management for the City of Grand Rapids. “Saving energy is just one of the ways the City of Grand Rapids remains committed to the community and environment. I’m proud of our facilities team for their ongoing efforts to ensure our buildings are as efficient as possible.”

E3M identified areas for improvement generally in lighting, controls and HVAC systems. The certification must be completed and submitted to the EPA by December 15 of each year.

“The top 25% changes each year based on the number of buildings attempting to qualify nationwide. The City of Grand Rapids has made the commitment to this ongoing work and we’re proud to assist in achieve the certification and identifying areas where they can continue to improve their building efficiencies and therefore, their score each year,” said Eric DeVries, President of E3M Solutions

On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort.

To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR. For more information about ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings

To learn more about the sustainability efforts of the City of Grand Rapids visit https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Sustainability

To learn more and engineering and energy consultant, E3M Solutions visit https://www.e3msolutions.com/