ecomagination

As part of its 1-30-30 commitment, GE is working to improve the energy efficiency of its own facilities. GE Canada’s headquarters in Meadowvale, Ontario, was awarded LEED-EB certification by the U.S. Green Building Council in February 2008. The classification made the Meadowvale location the first GE site in the world to achieve LEED-EB certification, as well as the first in Ontario and the second business in Canada to achieve the Existing Building distinction.

Much of the work to achieve LEED-EB certification at Meadowvale has involved retrofitting and upgrading the building’s existing infrastructure. A five-year program to improve energy efficiency included retrofitting lamps to LEED specifications and upgrades to the HVAC system. The lighting upgrade is projected to reduce energy consumption by 46 percent and reduce mercury levels from 10 milligrams to five milligrams per retrofitted lamp. Overall, the building now has an ENERGY STAR® rating that is 20 percent higher than an average existing building. It is projected to reduce overall energy consumption up to 1.7 million kilowatt hours per year.

Water initiatives in place at Meadowvale have reduced flow fixture water consumption by an average of 45 percent, or 788,437 gallons per year. The site has also introduced a recycling and zero waste policy that has increased recycled content from 48 percent to 84 percent over the course of six months. In recognition of the LEED-EB certification and their ongoing efforts, the team at Meadowvale was awarded the “Imagination at Work” award for “Best in Class” at the 2008 eCO2 Awards for its excellent results and use of GE technology.