A Comparison of Seattle’s Building Tune-up Process

Sharon Stukalo

doi:10.5539/jsd.v12n2p123

Abstract

The Building Tune-up process has been in incorporated into the mindset of building owners in Seattle. Every five years this process needs to be implemented for all buildings that are over 50,000 square feet. Boulder, Colorado, and New York City, New York, have had similar programs in place longer than Seattle has had its program. There are many similarities between all three programs in regards to lowering carbon emissions through building maintenance and upgrades. Each city has specific bench marking goals as per what size of the building and when their specific tune-up should occur. There are also similar concerns from both building owners in regards to the costs of building upgrades versus the benefits that align with improved building performance. Within all three cities, tenants also share similar concerns mostly about increased rent due to having these buildings be improved. Both Boulder, Colorado, and New York City, New York, despite population size or location, have seen dramatic carbon decreases due to their tune-up policies being in effect. This gives great promise that Seattle&rsquo;s similar tune-up process will also yield positive results.

Highlights

Many know of Seattle as the “Emerald City” with a booming economy and a healthy construction industry
The idea for this challenge came from the percentage of emissions and energy consumption that was from the vast array of commercial buildings that are in New York City
For the required retro-commissioning measure implementation: costs must be amortized over the length of the predicted payback period (How-to Guide). This could be seen in a positive light for the renters of Boulder since rent prices, much like in other parts of the United States, are high and they will not be shouldering the full cost of the building tune-up from their landlord all at once

Summary

Introduction

Many know of Seattle as the “Emerald City” with a booming economy and a healthy construction industry. As a result of Seattle’s goal, all commercial buildings that are 50,000 square feet or greater need to “tune up” their building systems every five years. The idea for this “tune up” process is to have Seattle encourage changes in how building owners should operate their respective buildings. The thought of creating change through the implementation of these policy changes is a great idea and an outstanding goal to reach This brings up the question, if this is the most effective way to achieve carbon reduction goals in comparison to other cities, such as Boulder, Colorado or New York City, New York?

Environmental Policy Issue

Major Contending Views

Author’s Perspective

Relevant Evidence

Findings

Conclusions