Four JCPenney stores are the first retail buildings in the country to earn the Energy Star label for superior energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Compared to similar stores nationwide, the JCPenney stores collectively spend $225,000 less a year on energy, and avoid over 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, equal to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity use of nearly 200 homes.
Of the almost 5 million commercial buildings in the United States, retail buildings account for the largest energy bills and are responsible for the second largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. With the recent availability of the Energy Star label for retail buildings, retailers can pursue significant savings in energy costs while fighting climate change.
The JCPenney stores that won the award are in Washington State. In total, they cover 460,000 square feet and, on average, use about 35% less energy than typical retail stores nationwide, resulting in about 35% less CO2 emissions than retail stores in their region.
As of Oct. 1, 2007, retail buildings can qualify for the Energy Star label if they rate in the top 25% of similar retail buildings nationwide. With EPA’s Portfolio Manager, an on-line energy performance rating system, the energy performance of four billion square feet of retail space and more than 400,000 retail buildings can be tracked and assessed.
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