ambassador residence makeover

Read the story Extra-Efficient Embassies in the Wall Street Journal online.

The hosts of EE Global – the Alliance to Save Energy and European Alliance to Save Energy – teamed with the League of Green Embassies to undertake an energy efficiency makeover on the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Howard Gutman's residence in Brussels – one of the oldest embassy buildings in existence.

On January 24, representatives from a number of energy efficiency product manufacturers met with Ambassador Bruce Oreck, Chair of the League of Green Embassies, as well as Kateri Callahan and Monica Frassoni, presidents of the Alliance to Save Energy and European Alliance to Save Energy, respectively. The representatives located areas in the residence that could benefit from energy efficiency enhancements, including kitchen appliances, insulation and lighting.

The makeover was unveiled during EE Global on 13 April, 2011 to a crowd of nearly 300 VIP guests and media.

VIDEO: See the upgrades made to Ambassador Gutman's residence, as explained by the product experts from each donating company, and reactions to the makeover from the Ambassador himself.

VIDEO: Ambassador Oreck explains the assessment of Ambassador Gutman's residence, and the areas in which he sees room for improvement.

The residence's energy efficiency enhancements, by company, will include:

• 3M: Window film upgrades to block solar heat.
• Danfoss: Radiator valves with time-controlled thermostats connected to a remote-control system that will reduce heat waste in non-occupied rooms throughout the house.
• JCI: A single energy-efficient boiler producing both heat and hot water to replace two aging boilers; and an interactive, touch-screen kiosk exhibiting each new energy-efficient product contributed to the makeover.
• Knauf Insulation: Installation of two layers of insulation in the previously un-insulated attic.
• Philips Lighting: Replacement of more than 500 older, inefficient light bulbs with energy-efficient halogen bulbs and LEDs, including decorative halogens appropriate for the residence's historic décor; replacement of older lighting fixtures.
• Schneider Electric: Electrical meters to measure the residence's electricity and gas use; current transformers; and web-based energy-monitoring software.
• Whirlpool: A suite of kitchen appliances for the residence's auxiliary and chef kitchens, including an induction cooktop and oven, and smaller electrical appliances such as a blender and toaster.