An ongoing collaboration between the National Geographic Society (NGS) and GHT has focused on improving energy efficiency for the NGS headquarters campus, which includes buildings constructed in 1904, 1964, and 1984. The team has worked together to identify building operations changes and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system component upgrades to address efficiency goals and support the achievement of LEED certifications/re-certifications and ENERGY STAR labels.
In 2010, GHT completed an ASHRAE Level I energy audit and building energy model that identified seven energy efficiency improvement opportunities (EEIOs) that offered the potential to decrease the campus’ energy use index (EUI) significantly. In a follow-on ASHRAE Level II energy audit in 2011, GHT analyzed a variety of additional EEIOs for the campus, such as installing solar window films, heat recovery chillers, and photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
In 2014, GHT was contracted to provide an updated ASHRAE Level II energy audit to support LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings™ (LEED O+M: Existing Buildings) recertification of 1145 17th Street NW. The building was the first in DC to achieve certification under the LEED O+M: Existing Buildings rating system.
