The start of football season is a great time to acknowledge the sports complexes that are excelling in energy efficiency. Check out these five sport venues that are taking “save energy and save money” to the next level by optimizing energy use before, during, and after each game.
1. Philadelphia Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field (a.k.a. The Linc). In 2003, the Eagles launched their Go Green program and since then has been awarded LEED Silver Certification from the US Green Building Council. By retrofitting the complex with energy-saving lighting, the Eagles have thus far saved up to five years in electric costs. The building’s installed automated lighting saves over $50,000 a year through shutdowns when a room is not in use.
2. Miami Heat’s American Airlines Arena. The Heat has taken huge strides toward energy efficiency by lowering its energy consumption by 53 percent while at the same time saving $1.6 million each year.
3. St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium. Since launching their 4 A Greener Game program by implementing low-cost and no-cost energy-saving solutions, the Cardinals have achieved a 29 percent waste diversion rate, a 23 percent reduction in overall energy use, and a 10 percent cut in water use across all operations since opening their stadium.
4. Washington Nationals Park opened in 2008, and was the first sports venue to be awarded LEED Silver Certification for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. The ballpark was constructed using 95 percent recycled steel and has installed energy-saving light fixtures that have reduced energy consumption by 21 percent.
5. Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field. Between 2006 and 2011, the Mariners saved about $1.5. million by significantly reducing natural gas, electricity, and water consumption at Safeco Field. For example, the ballpark replaced its old incandescent bulb scoreboard with a new LED scoreboard, which lowered annual electricity consumption by more than 90 percent and reduced energy costs by $50,000 per year.
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