The Smarter Small Buildings Campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, will publicly recognize three organizations in 2024 – LUSH, Sheetz, and Bakersfield College – for their excellence in rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls. The virtual event, part of the Better Buildings summer webinar series, will air to the public on July 30 at 11 a.m. ET (register for the free webinar).
The Smarter Small Buildings Campaign connects the operators of small buildings with world-class technical assistance to improve HVAC controls and reduce energy cost by 10-20%. Thoughtful practices in building HVAC operation can help commercial organizations cut energy use, improve occupant comfort, and move the needle on sustainability goals.
Experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory also partner with technology vendors and manufacturers, HVAC contractors, utilities, and others in the industry to support broad deployment of improved controls in small-to-medium commercial buildings.
The campaign shines a spotlight on outstanding participant and partner achievements:
- The cosmetics retailer LUSH will be recognized in the Best Practice - Operations and Maintenance (O&M) category. The category honors projects for developing and implementing a comprehensive and occupant-centered O&M plan.
- Convenience store retailer Sheetz will be recognized in the Innovation category, which honors innovative approaches to controls like the unique use of alarms or sensors for dynamic management or deployment of load management strategies.
- The California-based public community college Bakersfield College will be recognized for Energy Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JDEI), which honors projects that incorporate JDEI practices or have a positive impact on disadvantaged communities.
Partners and building owner participants can be recognized across six categories for their efforts installing and operating HVAC controls in existing buildings, for new construction projects, and for JDEI-informed projects.
Building owner-managers and other vendors in the HVAC industry can learn more about the Smarter Small Buildings Campaign and how to participate at smartersmallbuildings.lbl.gov.