The EPA’s 3rd annual Battle of the Buildings kicked off yesterday and what started in 2010 with a handful of participants (just 14 buildings) in its inaugural year has turned into a heavy competition. The second year boasted 245 buildings and now more than 3,200 have signed up for this year’s battle to be the most efficient.

"This year the number of teams committing to increase energy efficiency through the Energy Star Battle of the Buildings is larger than ever before -- more than ten times as many as last year. We're expecting record energy savings as more and more buildings cut back on their energy use," said the EPA’s Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

Battle of the Buildings is a year-long national competition open to any commercial building (schools, offices, warehouses, retail etc) with a team willing to save energy, conserve, and reduce GHG’s through improvements or changes of habits. The EPA’s Energy Star Guide serves as the basis for the challenge.

This year they will track and report their monthly energy and water consumption using an online tool provided by the EPA called the Portfolio Manager. All participants submitted a report of their energy use last year for comparison.  The winner will be the building that shows the greatest percentage-based reduction in energy use intensity during the year.

The Portfolio Manager is free for anyone to utilize so you can play along at the office if you’d like or use the tool to find ways to save energy and on your utility bills.

This year the EPA has decided to recognize any building that reduces their energy usage by 20% or more and top water savers.  Buildings that meet these special requirements will receive a certificate (PDF form) to commemorate their conservation effort.
 
Jackson went on to say: “We wish the best to the thousands of teams competing, but we know the big winners will be the American people, who will benefit from the innovative ideas that emerge from the competition. As in years past, these ideas will translate into new ways we can all cut energy use, save money on our power bills, and reduce the carbon pollution that is changing our climate."

Last year’s winning building was a parking garage owned by the University of Central Florida. Parking Garage C reduced energy use by over 60% and saved approximately $35,000.

Winners of this year’s competition will be announced next year in April.

To view an interactive map of the participating buildings and for more information about how you can save energy in your home please visit energystar.gov.