GasBuddy News Article

votes

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

Read the Full Article

Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: teafortwo

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Iconic skyscrapers find new luster in green tech	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)

First Prev

Last

techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,458 Points:1,256,510 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:52 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse and this helps me getting to work how ??
OleMiss79 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,024 Points:461,930 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:47 AM Ignore OleMiss79 Report Abuse Good news -- jobs for people in construction and more money into the economy.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,528 Points:311,985 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:43 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD START FOR THEM.
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,354 Points:471,325 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:33 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Nice that it's being done but not enough; just like it's not ENOUGH new jobs pricechecker08, not nearly enough. I'd like to have a job myself for that matter.
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:2,943 Points:860,795 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:59:10 AM Ignore Marson Report Abuse As energy costs rise, these expensive projects become more common.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,430 Points:377,430 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:58:01 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse The energy efficiency and tax write off = savings
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,585 Points:550,640 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:57:19 AM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Solar is nice, but just not cost effective. You would have thought we could have figured that out and made it a little cheaper to start ot with by now.
Wolfwings Champion Author Delaware Posts:2,493 Points:548,325 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:56:08 AM Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse Great news, but we poor folks with a one or two family home cannot expect to see a three year plan to recover costs involved. After looking into solar conversion for my one family home, it seems it will not pay for itself for more than 22 years. Unless some changes are made in cost, based on manufacturing, pricing, and/or newer technologies, the only logical place for renewable energy homes are those being built now. re-fit cannot work for the average Joe.
pricechecker08 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,679 Points:553,040 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:56:06 AM Ignore pricechecker08 Report Abuse Means more jobs.
AuburnTim Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,377 Points:585,930 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:53:57 AM Ignore AuburnTim Report Abuse To bad its not affordable to those that really need it and our government isn't going to make that possible either
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,588 Points:512,735 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:51:07 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse It's a good sign to see folks working on the problems we have.
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,400 Points:523,060 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:50:24 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse Solar panels on the rooftops of city buildings is an ideal solution.
ttwiw All-Star Author Austin Posts:833 Points:657,020 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:46:56 AM Ignore ttwiw Report Abuse Makes sense!
KillChain All-Star Author Albuquerque Posts:813 Points:319,725 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:45:29 AM Ignore KillChain Report Abuse Sounds good to me.
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,675 Points:1,553,595 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:44:53 AM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse Now this kind of retrofit would get our people working and save energy at the same time.
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:6,760 Points:1,453,610 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:44:33 AM Ignore Lengas Report Abuse All big buildings should be self sufficient.
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:3,529 Points:1,289,840 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:44:00 AM Ignore brutus Report Abuse Very interesting. The next 10 years will show many changes, even in housing.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:6,416 Points:1,377,010 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:43:09 AM Ignore throttle Report Abuse Sounds good.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,214 Points:861,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:41:28 AM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse sounds good on paper. will it actually save that much energy? even if it doesn't, this will help to get some people working.
pattie09 All-Star Author Charleston Posts:988 Points:237,925 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:39:14 AM Ignore pattie09 Report Abuse OK WHO IS GONNA BE UP THERE PULLIN THE WEEDS???? GOOD IDEA THOUGH
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,181 Points:711,920 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:38:06 AM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Definitely models for future construction and renovations in other cities,
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,243 Points:458,440 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:36:40 AM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse This saves in the long run.
Lovelee Champion Author Detroit Posts:12,379 Points:804,725 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:36:18 AM Ignore Lovelee Report Abuse And how can we incorporate this technology into our homes at reasonale costs.
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,690 Points:1,331,950 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:33:17 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse Is Obama paying for this too??
buckoMD Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,240 Points:711,950 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:32:14 AM Ignore buckoMD Report Abuse This'll cost them, big-time.
cableman31 Champion Author New York Posts:2,616 Points:788,765 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:31:54 AM Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse Great idea. Well worth the investments.
roadkillGA Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,312 Points:471,025 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:30:41 AM Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse conserve
bumpygas Champion Author Nebraska Posts:2,164 Points:678,815 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:28:54 AM Ignore bumpygas Report Abuse Can't say as I would care to see green skyscrapers. It's a good color when it comes to money but not when it's the color of buildings. In all seriousness, both sets of owners have some great money saving ideas. [Edited by: bumpygas at 7/5/2009 8:31:24 AM EST]
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,218 Points:391,255 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:28:25 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse SAVE AND CONSERVE,SO SOME ONE WITH A GAS GUZZLER CAN BLOW IT.
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,246 Points:1,449,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:28:21 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse This is a lot of Green smarts!
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,285 Points:639,530 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:27:36 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse Anything is better than nothing.
madison8359 All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:902 Points:343,110 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:26:01 AM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse Now that is the way to think, reduce, reuse and recycle. Great story. If we can get others to take the same tack we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
CallJeffCa Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,004 Points:477,035 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:22:32 AM Ignore CallJeffCa Report Abuse I'm sure there are tax credits involved.
Tonester1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,125 Points:1,085,570 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:21:53 AM Ignore Tonester1 Report Abuse OK, so what does this do for drivers?
VREP Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,531 Points:328,395 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:20:33 AM Ignore VREP Report Abuse A great way to use renewable energy resources.
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:3,105 Points:638,710 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:19:56 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Of course, their estimates are always off.
akeatts Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,343 Points:271,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:18:38 AM Ignore akeatts Report Abuse Good contributions ...hope others will follow.
silverfox63 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,926 Points:387,790 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:18:33 AM Ignore silverfox63 Report Abuse It would be nice to see every business and home in America with this technology. Then big oil would really be screaming.
indyjim Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,320 Points:1,067,115 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:17:52 AM Ignore indyjim Report Abuse It's about time.
cincindie Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:9,784 Points:1,936,545 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:16:32 AM Ignore cincindie Report Abuse That's great!
#1purple Sophomore Author Grand Rapids Posts:207 Points:343,475 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:15:09 AM Ignore #1purple Report Abuse GO Green!!! Sounds great, but since green technology hasn't changed, just the fact that tax payers are footing the bill for companies to go green. Tax payers are paying for these companies to save money.
SSchmidty Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,878 Points:556,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:13:06 AM Ignore SSchmidty Report Abuse There you another way to cheat pig-oil of what they want ... our $$$
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,013 Points:365,130 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:10:46 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse Need that for my house
us412 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:10,796 Points:1,173,645 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:10:26 AM Ignore us412 Report Abuse What it means is these owners see what is coming with Obama's crap n tax bill and are scared to death. You should be, too.
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:1,138 Points:266,640 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:09:18 AM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse Sounds like a good thing going.
mpskek Champion Author Madison Posts:6,225 Points:1,068,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:06:08 AM Ignore mpskek Report Abuse Good news
RichardoB Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,434 Points:785,110 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:04:45 AM Ignore RichardoB Report Abuse They are doing this to save money. The fact that it benefits the environment is secondary.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,456 Points:337,240 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:04:33 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse That's spectacular savings. Now if all the downtown Chicago buildings did something similar, Commonwealth Edison would not be selling as much electricity. Likewise if more Manhattan buildings did the same thing, ConEd would have less likelihood of brownouts. Imagine nationwide.
sing_1 Champion Author Florida Posts:1,027 Points:259,460 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:03:59 AM Ignore sing_1 Report Abuse Everyone should conserve, even if it's just to save money.
DeepInOhio All-Star Author Ohio Posts:910 Points:374,280 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 8:03:47 AM Ignore DeepInOhio Report Abuse You, Chris Kahn (AP Energy Writer), are full of **** if you expect your readers to believe that the owners of the Empire State Building were "only partly interested in saving energy." They are a business and this cuts costs over the long haul. It's as simple as that.
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:5,657 Points:1,529,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 5, 2009 7:59:24 AM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse Kind of hard to believe they did not think of this when they built the Sears tower, I can see it with the Empire State, it's been around for some time.