# UVA Celebrates Better Buildings Energy Plus Water Savings

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/uva-celebrates-better-buildings-energy-plus-water-savings/
- Published: 2019-09-16T03:21:54-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

[Better Buildings Challenge](https://betterbuildingsinitiative.energy.gov/challenge)
celebrate their partner the [University of Virginia](https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/partners/university-virginia)(
UVA). They are celebrated for impressive energy efficiency advances made on campus.
Because UVA is home to more than 40,000 students, faculty, and staff and more than
500 buildings. As a partner in the DOE Better Buildings Challenge, UVA committed
to improving its energy performance. Their commitment is 20% in 10 years across 
all their 15.3 million square feet. 

[⌊Better buildings energy UVA⌉⌊Better buildings energy UVA⌉[

Jesse Warren, sustainability program manager for buildings and operations leads 
a tour of Clark Hall’s retrofitted utilities. Credit: Charlotte Rene Woods | Charlottesville
Tomorrow

Representatives from DOE Better Buildings Program visited UVA’s Better Buildings
Showcase Project [Clark Hall](https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/showcase-projects/clark-hall-retrofit).
All to tour the building’s energy and water upgrades.  In addition, UVA implemented
a combination of energy and water conservation upgrades. Thereby converting all 
5,000 interior and exterior fixtures from fluorescent lamps to LED. Furthermore 
[installing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/08/what-are-the-best-water-saving-devices-for-your-home/)
low-flow toilets and faucet aerators. Finally recalibrating air handling units and
upgrading HVAC controls.

In conclusion and as a result, Clark Hall achieved an annual _energy savings of 
$750,000, or 65%__**.** **That’s** along with an annual water savings of $22,000,
or 79%**.** Finally and relative to their pre-retrofit baseline. _

More than 900 organizations now partner with DOE in Better Buildings. They have 
saved more than $8.4 billion in [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/01/save-the-date-international-surfing-day-is-june-20th/)
costs to date. Through Better Buildings, DOE partners with leaders in the public
and private sectors. Consequently to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings,
and industrial plants more energy-efficient. They do this by facilitating investment
and the sharing of best practices. Greater [efficiency saves billions of dollars on energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/jacob-burns-film-centers-commitment-to-energy-efficiency/)
bills. Finally it reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and creates jobs.

Best part of the story is from CBS 19 NEWS reports that they spoke Jesse Warren.
Jesse is UVA’s Sustainability Program Manager for Buildings and Operations, helped
lead the project at Clark Hall. He says it is just the beginning.

_Source: _[Better Buildings DOE Website: Jul 16, 2019  ](https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/news)
and [USDOE PRESS RELEASE](https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-recognizes-university-virginia-progress-towards-energy-goals)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
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Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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