Fairfax County has been honored with the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council’s 2024 Leadership Award for a project at the Pender Office Building that combined energy improvements with solar.
The award was presented on Oct. 3 at an Energy Efficiency Forum at the University of Richmond Jepson Alumni Center. The county’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) were recognized in the Government category for the project, which included energy efficiency upgrades and a rooftop solar installation. Fairfax County was recognized in the same category in 2023 for energy projects at two Rec centers.
Constructed in 1986, the three-story, 49,000-square-foot Pender Office Building serves as FCRHA's headquarters. After an extensive energy audit of the building, a variety of energy improvements, including LED lighting upgrades, new electric transformers and air handling units, weatherization treatments, improvements to building automation system, and a new rooftop solar photovoltaic array were made to the building.
The energy upgrades were accomplished through a performance contract with CMTA, an engineering consultant and energy services company.
“Partnering with OEEC and CMTA to enhance the energy efficiency of our building not only helps us reduce operating costs but supports a healthier environment for our community.” said Amy Ginger, Deputy Director, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development.
Since December 2023 when the project was completed, Pender has realized a 41% reduction in energy consumption— far exceeding the energy savings guarantee. The building is also on track to see nearly $44,000 in total utility costs avoidance because of these improvements.
“Pender was the first project in Fairfax County’s energy performance program to bundle holistic energy efficiency upgrades with solar, but it is not the last,” said OEEC Director John Morrill. “We are applying this model for deep energy savings in other facilities now.”
These projects support the county’s Operational Energy Strategy (OES), which aims to reduce overall energy use in county operations, buildings and fleet vehicles while increasing the use of clean ‘and renewable forms of energy. The county’s OES has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.
About Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC)
The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, a member-based 501c3, launched the Energizing Efficiency Campaign in 2023 to further the mission of advancing EE across the state by showcasing remarkable work being done in our communities and inspiring others to act. Learn more at VAEEC.org/Energizing-Efficiency-Campaign. VAEEC has presented the Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards since 2016.
john.silcox@fairfaxcounty.gov