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Businesses and property owners who create energy-sustainable or “green” buildings can generate not only some good public relations, but up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual savings

By Alex Philippidis | November 6, 2010

Businesses and property owners who create energy-sustainable or "green" buildings can generate not only some good public relations, but up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual savings on heating and lighting costs as well, a panel of professionals in White Plains agreed.

"We're running 18 to 19 percent lower on our utility bills. With laboratories being energy hogs, to me that translates into just under $1 million a year in energy savings," said Joanne Deyo, vice president, facilities for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The drug developer incorporated several green features within the headquarters completed for it last year at The Landmark at Eastview straddling the Greenburgh-Mount Pleasant border (Tarrytown address).

Deyo was one of four panelists discussing the advantages and challenges of green buildings during "Mastering the Green Building Challenge: Landlord & Tenant Best Green Practices," a panel discussion held at 360 Hamilton Ave. in downtown White Plains.

Jason Black, another panelist and the director of architectural services for 360 Hamilton owner Reckson, a division of SL Green Realty Corp., said the publicly-traded company started its greeen initiatives in February 2007 ,when it expanded its construction recycling capabilities to include carpet and ceiling tiles, in addition to metals and cardboard. The company has recycled about 750,000 square feet of carpet and ceiling tiles since then, diverting about 310 tons that otherwise would have been dumped in landfills, Black said.

"While we were doing the recycling, we also wanted to start small and build our sophistication over time. We looked at using occupancy sensors and LED exit signs in our tenant spaces, getting our feet wet, which allowed us then to start using upgraded and more energy-efficient light fixtures," Black said.

Last year the company teamed up with Alliance Energy Solutions to retrofit the lighting in the core and common areas and garages of 22 properties in Westchester and Connecticut's Fairfield County The $1.4 million project collected $550,000 from state and local utilities, and is projected to save "approximately $500,000 to $600,000 a year" in energy costs.

Reckson is retrofitting the mechanical systems of its office buildings, property by property, Black said. A $400,000 retrofit of 1055 Washington Blvd. In Stamford, Conn., is projected to save the company $170,000 a year in energy and gas costs; while in Greenwich, Conn., the company installed solar panels at 500 W. Putnam Ave. that are capable of delivering at lease 5 percent of energy needs average, and 50 percent during peak periods.

"To date, I'm proud to say, we've done $10 million in energy efficiency programs, getting about $1.5 million for utility incentives, and we're saving approximately $1 million annually in electrical savings, which we all anticipate to become part of our outlying programs in the years to come," Black said.

Another publicly-traded real estate owner/manager, Acadia Realty Trust of White Plains, generated six-figure annual savings after it incorporated green features when it created the $130 million Fordham Place, a 14-story, 280,000-square-foot office/retail building in the Bronx, on Webster Avenue and East Fordham Road.

Todd McGaughey, another panelist and regional property manager with Acadia, told the audience of more than 100 that the project is capable of making ice at night with energy purchased at off-peak, then using its cooling system pumps only to chill the building during the day. The building features recycling chutes side by side with traditional garbage chutes. All bathrooms have sensors and low-flow flushometers to cut down on water waste.

"We're estimating that each year, due to those green initiatives, that we'll save $424,000 on that building," McGaughey said.