Seattle Building Tune-up Policy
Commercial Buildings 200,000sf (or larger) in Seattle are REQUIRED to get a Building Tune-up. If your eyes just got wider… read on.
About the Policy
Seattle Building Tune-Ups is a progressive energy efficiency policy that supports Seattle’s goal of being a carbon-neutral city by 2050. The policy helps building owners identify ways to reduce their energy and water costs while also lowering their overall energy consumption. “Just like a car—a building needs to be regularly tuned up to keep running efficiently. No one wants to use more fuel than they have to,” says Engwin Chang, Energy Services Project Manager.
But unlike a car—getting a building tune-up is not an option if you’re in the City of Seattle—it’s a requirement. “Through these tune-ups, building owners are able to target energy usage areas and catch any concerns before they become expensive problems,” adds Chang. Making improvements is often easier (and less costly) than owners expect with low- and no-cost fixes that increase the building’s performance by reducing building energy use by *10-15% on average (*stat from seattle.gov/environment/climate-change/buildings-and-energy/building-tune-ups).
What is a Building Tune-up?
Building Tune-Ups involve an assessment of solutions for any identified improvement areas. Examples of these solutions may include changes to the thermostat setpoints or adjusting lighting schedules. Tune-ups also review HVAC, lighting, and water systems to identify needed maintenance, cleaning, or repairs. For example, replacing faulty sensors or fixing problems with an economizer.
About Building Tune-Ups- City of Seattle FAQ
What if I don’t comply?
There are legal actions with real fines and penalties for non-compliance. You can visit the Seattle government link below for more information:
How often are Tune-ups needed?
Building Tune-ups are REQUIRED every 5 years but building owners can tune up their system(s) as often as they like!
Who Can Do a Tune-up?
Qualified Tune-up Specialists must do all assessments, verify corrections, and report. Enter Holaday-Parks! We are qualified and authorized to conduct tune-ups—in fact, we are experts in energy management. We will assess all mechanical and energy systems, report on areas for improvement, provide recommendations, collaborate with owners on solutions, verify results, and report to the city. Contact us HERE and we will have an energy expert contact you.
About Us
Holaday-Parks is one of the largest full-service mechanical contractors in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. We design, build, enhance, and service high-quality building solutions that are SMART—Sustainable, Measurable, Affordable, Reliable, and Timely. To learn more about how we can help with your next project— contact us HERE