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Better Buildings
Building a Sustainable Future
San Antonio seeks to incorporate more sustainable practices within the
physical structures of the City's built environment; specifically our
buildings, water and sewer lines, stormwater systems, wastewater
treatment facilities, and other infrastructure. By making these more
sustainable, we will reduce our energy and water use which will make our air cleaner and our environment healthier.
San
Antonians are fortunate as there are three different ways they can get
their homes and businesses recognized for incorporating sustainability
aspects into their designs. They include a local initiative called Build San Antonio Green (for homes, multifamily and commercial) and two national initiatives, Energy Star and LEED for all building types.
UNIT | There are different standards and levels for “green” building. This metric looks at the total for all types of green buildings including Build San Antonio Green, EnergyStar and the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). | #Number of Green Buildings |
There are different standards and levels for “green” building. This metric looks at the total for all types of green buildings including Build San Antonio Green, EnergyStar and the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). | #Number of Green Buildings |
Better Buildings
CPS Energy Retrofit Certification from BSAG
It's not just homes that can be certified by BSAG. CPS Energy's headquarters recently became the first-ever BSAG certified commercial retrofit. The 200,000 square foot building received a level 2 certification signifying that the building is seeing 10% or greater energy savings over the projected amount. In fact, the new building is 60% more efficient than the previous one!
A few reasons why the new headquarters building is seeing such a drastic savings in energy use include:
- high performing window systems which reduce heat coming into the building
- energy and water efficient systems and equipment
- employee EV charging parking spaces
- high efficiency HVAC systems
- low-impact landscaping
- rain catchment systems
San Antonio Facility Design Guidelines and Standards
The City of San Antonio developed an energy policy called The Facility Design Guidelines and Standards, which requires all City-owned and managed buildings and operations to incorporate sustainable design and energy efficiency principles. These guidelines also provide the foundation for including sustainable practices on municipal facilities and to further reduce our environmental impact of our government operations.
Better Buildings
Benchmarking & Disclosure
Reaching our goals for energy efficiency will need both engagement by the private sector and a way to better track our progress. Building benchmarking and disclosure is a key strategy to advance both of those requirements. By increasing transparency in building performance, building owners will be incentivized to race to the top. As the savings and recognition enjoyed by owners and tenants of the most efficient buildings are made visible, efficiency will be sought after more and more. Unleashing market forces in this way has had impressive results in other cities, including:
- Chicago: Energy consumption down 5.2% from 2014 to 2018. $15.1 million bill savings per year.
- Minneapolis: Energy consumption down 3.4% from 2014 to 2016. $21 million bill savings per year.
- Denver: Energy consumption down 4.5% from 2017 to 2018. $13.5 million bill savings per year.
- New York: Energy consumption down 10% from 2010 to 2015.
- Seattle: Energy consumption down 3% from 2014 to 2015.
- San Francisco: Energy consumption down 7.9% from 2010 to 2014.
Learn more about the effort on the City of San Antonio’s Energy Benchmarking and Disclosure for Buildings webpage.
Better Buildings
Sustainability Upgrades with PACE program
On March 5, 2020, the City of San Antonio City Council officially established the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program within the city limits. PACE is an innovative financing tool that allows owners of commercial, industrial, nonprofit, and large multi-family residential properties access to low-cost, long-term loans to conduct energy efficiency and water conservation improvements to real property. Since the establishment of the PACE Act in Texas, over 35 counties and cities have implemented the program in their jurisdictions, resulting in 26 executed projects valued at over $100 million in loans.
San Antonio’s historic Travis Building will be undergoing a $5 million renovation for efficiency upgrades with support secured through the TX-PACE program. The upgrades will include reflective roofing, LED lighting, water-conserving plumbing modifications, and HVAC upgrades that will result in an estimated $8.4 million in energy cost savings over its lifespan. The building will ultimately house 63 multifamily units and keep its dedicated retail space on the ground floor. Renovations are expected to be complete in spring of 2022.
For any inquiries regarding PACE, please email Lyle Hufstetler lhufstetler@aacog.com with AACOG or Thomas Davis Thomas.Davis@sanantonio.gov with the City of San Antonio.
Better Buildings
Every Little Bit Helps! Make Your Home or Building Greener!
We all need to play a role in using our natural resources more selectively. By developing our buildings and infrastructure to still perform the way we want them to while using less fuel, water, and other resources, we are making strides in the right direction. Learn more about how you can do more with less.