DOE’s Advanced Rooftop Unit Campaign Has Saved $110 Million to Date

The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings Initiative’s Advanced Rooftop Unit (RTU) Campaign’s 350 participants have impacted 160,000 rooftop units, saving $110 million and more than 1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) annually since the campaign’s inception in 2013.

The Advanced RTU Campaign provides resources and recognition to commercial building owners, managers and operators that want to increase building performance and upgrade rooftop units to high-efficiency RTU technologies. The Campaign works in close liaison with manufacturers, utilities, energy efficiency organizations and contractors who contribute to the Campaign’s success.

The DOE supports research and development for new RTU technologies. Although payback periods can vary, a well implemented replacement or retrofit of RTUs with advanced controls can have a payback of one to four years.

The following organizations are recognized this year for their considerable high-efficiency RTU achievements:

Business that have adopted advanced RTUs include:

• Walgreens: Greatest number of high-efficiency RTU installations and advanced RTU control retrofits for a large portfolio owner. Walgreens installed 4,373 RTUs with high-efficiency units and controls, resulting in more than 39 million kWh annual energy savings.
• H&M: Greatest number of high-efficiency RTU installations and advanced RTU control retrofits for a medium portfolio owner. H&M installed 541 RTUs and controls, resulting in more than 4 million kWh annual energy savings.
• McDonalds: Highest percentage of high-efficiency RTU installations and control retrofits from 2013 to 2018. McDonalds replaced more than 70% of RTUs at its company owned restaurants.
• Mass Save: Highest number of high-efficiency RTU installations and advanced RTU control retrofits through an efficiency program. The program reported more than 6,400 installations, resulting in more than 10 million kWh annual energy savings.
• Tri Pacific Heating & Air Conditioning: Highest number of high-efficiency RTU installations and advanced RTU control retrofits by a contractor/service provider. Tri Pacific reported 550 installations, resulting in more than 4 million kWh annual energy savings.

Better Buildings Alliance technology campaigns, like the Advanced RTU Campaign, involve public and private sector organizations across the country working together to share and replicate positive gains in energy efficiency and catalyze change and investment in energy efficiency. Through Better Buildings, DOE is working to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20% more energy efficient over the next decade without compromising comfort or performance.