New York icon goes green

Despite the efforts of individuals to protect the environment, it’s vital that large organizations take green ownership and drive sustainability processes. One organization has just done that – and they don’t get much bigger than this.

The owners of the Empire State Building have recently announced it will be undergoing a retrofit to minimize its environmental impact. Among the changes the historic building will undergo will be the replacement of all windows to provide better insulation, replacing light fixtures with energy efficient models, and the installation of smart air circulation systems to improve the efficiency of the HVAC in the building. The owners expect the retrofit to reduce the building’s energy consumption by up to 40%, and the reduced carbon footprint will be the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars off the road.

By spending $13 million, the building will not only do its bit to save the planet, but will save its owners $4 million per year – in fact, the cost of the retrofit will be recouped within three years.  At The Refinishing Touch we see this time and time again – saving the planet and saving money go hand in glove.

So next time you’re in Manhattan, looking up at the Empire State Building, reflect on how this colossal building isn’t just making the apple big, it’s making it green.