Downtown Ann Arbor buildings line up for energy audits

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

It seems like every building and business owner in downtown Ann Arbor wants an energy audit these days.

Dozens of these stakeholders have signed up and taken action on the energy-efficiency practice since the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority started its energy audit program last year. Since then nearly 100 buildings have requested one.

"The program is rolling along," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. "There are a lot of good improvements being made."

Energy audits can play a critical role in identifying inefficiencies in old buildings, such as a lack of insulation, thin windows and old lighting. The idea is that eliminating these inefficiencies will help keep more money in the pockets of businesses and landlords, allowing them to invest it into their respective building or business. Much of the building stock in downtown is around 100 years old.

The program allows structures that are 41,000 square feet or smaller to take advantage of a free energy audit. The program will pay up to $5,000 of the cost of the energy audit for bigger buildings. The audits will outline a tailored list of recommended energy-saving measures and renewable energy opportunities for each structure.

Last year 47 businesses signed up with 34 actually following through on the energy audits. At least seven of those have executed the suggested improvements. This year 50 buildings, representing 600,000 square feet of space, are in line for energy audits. These buildings range in age from the 1880s to the 1960s. Improvements are expected to pay for themselves within 3.5 years.

"The improvements make an immediate impact," Pollay says.

Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke