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Iconic skyscrapers find new luster in green tech

Yahoo.com - AP -- NEW YORK – When owners of the Empire State Building decided to blanket its towering facade with thousands of insulating windows, they were only partly interested in saving energy. Malkin proposed a top-to-bottom renovation that included a $13.2 million investment in new green technologies. The renovation should take 18 months. Afterward, the owners expect an annual energy savings of $4.4 million, enough to pay off the new technologies in about three years.
Chicago's Sears Tower announced that it will embark on a five-year, $350 million green renovation. The 110-story skyscraper will crown its rooftops with solar panels, wind turbines and 35,000 square feet of sunlight-absorbing gardens. When complete, the improvements will cut the tower's annual electricity use by 80 percent and save

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Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: teafortwo

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 10:09:05 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse good question, who gets to keep the money? Tenants or owners of the towers?
BlackOpalCDI Veteran Author Long Island Posts:266 Points:49,660 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 11:37:55 Ignore BlackOpalCDI Report Abuse fantastic idea, love it saves money and pays it back very quickly BRAVO BRAVO NOW THIS IS AMERICAN SPIRIT!
Ltdc All-Star Author Long Island Posts:961 Points:444,020 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 5:41:06 Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse We need more of this where ever it is possible.
ruc2827 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:281 Points:144,255 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2009 2:40:22 Ignore ruc2827 Report Abuse Now we just need to require home builders to use energy effient building techniques which pay for themselves in a few years. Unfortunately since builders are just focused on lowest cost of materials, they never do this voluntarily.
mmene Champion Author Houston Posts:1,260 Points:330,020 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:58:19 PM Ignore mmene Report Abuse I wish every could afford to do this.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,445 Points:388,880 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 9:55:03 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT INVESTMENT!
ach All-Star Author Illinois Posts:654 Points:331,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 4:59:13 PM Ignore ach Report Abuse You may be right us412, but if it saves money in the long run, it will be worth it.
remay All-Star Author Houston Posts:789 Points:869,320 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 1:02:16 PM Ignore remay Report Abuse spread the word!
Minster Champion Author Wichita Posts:1,744 Points:583,345 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:52:07 PM Ignore Minster Report Abuse great job for them.thats what everone needs to do!
kookiwoogi Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,994 Points:1,574,540 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:51:52 PM Ignore kookiwoogi Report Abuse That sounds real good. Now, will the electric company find new ways to charge the rest of us more?
jmg144 Champion Author Maryland Posts:6,394 Points:1,757,280 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:43:57 PM Ignore jmg144 Report Abuse Good business and economic decision.
acknot Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,487 Points:768,300 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:43:55 PM Ignore acknot Report Abuse Good for them.
gaschicCT All-Star Author Hartford Posts:928 Points:156,470 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:42:42 PM Ignore gaschicCT Report Abuse How cool is that, cut electricity use by 80% - unbelievable!!!
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,534 Points:716,425 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:42:15 PM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse Interesting article, also some interesting reactions here. As for me, I don't know if it means anything more than energy costs are high enough and the green technologies are maturing.
seville04 Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:1,870 Points:882,680 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:41:54 PM Ignore seville04 Report Abuse I can't wait to see the Sears Tower when this is finished.
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,312 Points:461,300 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:39:23 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse I don't know AC-302, but $4.4 million might be realistic when you consider what the savings would be for a normal home cutting their a/c costs and then extrapolate that to a house of all glass, then times it by about 100,000......just might be possible.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,688 Points:2,029,250 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:36:04 PM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse If this works, it will provide for some electric vehicle demand without overburdening the grid downtown!
Yonkers111 Champion Author Scranton Posts:5,432 Points:417,490 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:35:50 PM Ignore Yonkers111 Report Abuse Replace your own windows and get the same savings.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:12,279 Points:1,671,415 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:33:28 PM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse I somehow doubt the Sears Tower (it's now called something else since Sears sold it) will save 80% on electric. It's a HUGE building. And then the sun goes down, one must use electric for lights (unless, of course, they are going to issue oil lamps or boxes of candles). I'd also be surprised to find that a window replacement saves the Empire State Building $4 million a year.
courier400 Champion Author Kansas Posts:8,529 Points:1,927,880 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:30:54 PM Ignore courier400 Report Abuse now all we need is some fool with a magnifying glass to fry people like ants
jerick Champion Author New Mexico Posts:3,169 Points:608,255 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:28:05 PM Ignore jerick Report Abuse If the savings are achieved mostly on A/C costs by reflecting heat away from the building, this isn't a good thing. Experience has shown that what savings are achieved by reflecting heat on one building will be paid by other buildings around it getting much hotter not mention the folks walking on the street below. It becomes an oven outside.
gaswatcherCA All-Star Author Oakland Posts:692 Points:505,315 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:26:07 PM Ignore gaswatcherCA Report Abuse Sounds like the Sears Tower is being rip off at close to $10,000 a day per floor by the local electric company. Do the math, must be a kick back to some one at that kind of money.
Pozole Champion Author Portland Posts:2,420 Points:471,190 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:26:03 PM Ignore Pozole Report Abuse ...good enough for them...wish I could afford to do it to my house...
pokey469 Champion Author Hamilton Posts:1,134 Points:261,215 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:26:00 PM Ignore pokey469 Report Abuse Sounds like a great idea.
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,240 Points:202,605 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:23:36 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse Sounds great, more businesses should do it.
finch2dancandy Rookie Author Georgia Posts:71 Points:10,760 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:19:14 PM Ignore finch2dancandy Report Abuse That is great, when the cost go down for all of us to go green (common everyday man) and if it would help us tax wise. Then we all could be able to afford to convert the green way.
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,751 Points:444,195 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:17:24 PM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse I hope a lot of others do it. Three year payback is really good.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,056 Points:668,735 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 12:07:33 PM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Maybe they should also think solar and actually produce energy as well as save it.
granma3xnow Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,422 Points:297,600 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:57:50 Ignore granma3xnow Report Abuse When the buildings went up, there was not the concern there is today for conservation. Kudos to any business that tries to go green.
BornToulouse Veteran Author Georgia Posts:411 Points:71,315 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:55:41 Ignore BornToulouse Report Abuse A three-year payback is great. If the price of solar panels for residential use become more affordable, I would be open to having solar panels on my roof to help offset my electrical power needs. I currently pay @ .11 cents per kwh here in Georgia. But we get plenty of sun. My rough calculations at current prices gives me a 10-year payback. This is too long for me at this time as the costs are too high. Anyway, progress is being made...
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:2,883 Points:561,450 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:55:13 Ignore bobdec Report Abuse More businesses should dothis
Djeray Rookie Author Dallas Posts:66 Points:213,080 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:53:36 Ignore Djeray Report Abuse Right - nothing wrong with this. If they can recoup their investments in 3 years, good deal.
jayrad1957 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,816 Points:337,240 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:51:37 Ignore jayrad1957 Report Abuse Sounds like a great idea.
BillA Champion Author Portland Posts:10,599 Points:1,421,580 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:48:43 Ignore BillA Report Abuse Wind generators on the top of the Sears Tower would change the look of it, but it's always windy up there so it's a great idea! "improvements will cut the tower's annual electricity use by 80 percent" 80%?! wow
goumterps2002 Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,141 Points:350,495 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:47:04 Ignore goumterps2002 Report Abuse Yeah, nothing wrong with making energy saving improvements. Do them a little at a time so as to spread out the cost.
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:3,910 Points:1,288,895 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:44:13 Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse Good for them.
spike1zz Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,002 Points:358,670 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:43:47 Ignore spike1zz Report Abuse Need a project like that for my house
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,949 Points:749,310 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:42:26 Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse We need more action like this.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,777 Points:1,923,740 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:41:53 Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Doing that is still to expensive for us little guys!!!
dl72 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:966 Points:166,760 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:40:27 Ignore dl72 Report Abuse Trying to save money and energy. Nothing wrong with that.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,012 Points:963,255 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:39:35 Ignore Helms Report Abuse but it shoud also make good financial sense for the people implementing it...the liberal losers in washington (and tennessee - that's you inconvenient al) have ot remember that...."The business of America is Business". It was Harry Truman, a democrat taht said that (maybe the smartes thing a democrat ever said) and its true. Reagan was right ..there is somethign to the trickle down theory cause as we are finding out it works not only in good times but with the pain as well!
adr47 All-Star Author Saskatchewan Posts:969 Points:257,945 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:34:46 Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Conservation Makes good sense.
wegman Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,504 Points:848,475 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:33:43 Ignore wegman Report Abuse If the numbers add up to a three year recoupment of the investment go for it. But why do companies give a flip about the certification. If they are looking at new construction, sure, you will save money over time. But for old stuff??? The certification is just to appeal to Luddite Yuppie Greens, with no basis in fact. Unless, of course, the paid subsidiary of the Luddite Green movement, the Democratic party, does something ELSE to screw up the economy by mandating things that don't make economic sense.
taxiken Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,896 Points:1,100,000 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:31:52 Ignore taxiken Report Abuse This is going to affect the price of gas?
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:3,171 Points:1,830,105 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:30:00 Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Recouping your investment in 3 years is phenomenal. This one's a no-brainer.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,482 Points:343,195 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:29:36 Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse the greener the better
cresovia Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,859 Points:469,650 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:29:25 Ignore cresovia Report Abuse Sounds good, but more needs to be done.
la90042 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,672 Points:335,610 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:28:58 Ignore la90042 Report Abuse its a start - need even more conservation.
stugha Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,143 Points:261,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:25:15 Ignore stugha Report Abuse This (and similar projects) will decrease the demand for oil thus let tanks fill up, and overflow.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,032 Points:228,490 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 11:22:14 Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse this is great but wil it make gas prices go down?