‘Daylight Hour’ engages millions globally on energy conservation and health in the office.
Building Energy Exchange announces Daylight Hour 2019, a social media campaign aimed at reducing energy use, improving working environments, and saving money by encouraging day-lit offices of all sizes to turn off nonessential lighting from noon to 1pm local time. Along with this year’s sponsor, Mecho, Building Energy Exchange expands Daylight Hour’s global reach.
2,300 offices covering over 370 million square feet of office space have participated since its 2014 launch, saving enough energy to power more than 34,000 homes for a day. 17 cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, registered their municipal buildings. Participating organizations included WeWork, Vornado Realty Trust, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the New York Public Library.
April 23, 2019
The Building Energy Exchange, a NYC-based non-profit energy efficiency resource center providing education to the real estate community, is encouraging offices all over the world to register for Daylight Hour. Daylight Hour takes place on Friday, June 21, on the summer solstice, when offices across the world showcase their environmental commitment by turning off nonessential lights in daylit spaces from noon to 1pm local time and posting photos and other content to social media using the hashtag #DaylightHour.
This year’s sponsor is Mecho, a high-performance solar shade system manufacturer. With Mecho’s support, the Building Energy Exchange is expanding Daylight Hour’s impact as more offices commit to daylighting. Using natural light in lieu of electric lighting provides sizable energy and cost savings, increases employee comfort and wellbeing, reduces absenteeism, and improves productivity in the office environment.
“Mecho is excited to once again sponsor Daylight Hour. We share the same vision of utilizing daylight to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase energy efficiency, and promote a healthy built environment,” explained Jan Berman, Founder, VP Business Development, Mecho. “When participants raise their shades and turn off electric lights for Daylight Hour, thousands of people across the globe get to experience the positive benefits daylight has to offer.”
Last year, more than 800 offices participated, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 437,000 miles driven in a passenger vehicle. The global campaign reached cultural institutions, schools, government organizations, and corporate offices in over 20 countries.
Engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti, the campaign’s most far-reaching participant, registered 30 offices across 7 countries, including New Zealand, China, and the United States.
“As one of the world’s leading engineering and consulting firms, Thornton Tomasetti is committed to making the built environment more sustainable,” said Chairman and CEO Thomas Z. Scarangello. “More than 30 of our offices in seven countries will stand with hundreds of businesses, educational institutions and cities around the world on Daylight Hour, demonstrating how a simple action like the click of a light switch can have a huge impact on the environment and our communities.”
Since 2016, 17 cities and counties have registered for the campaign, including New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, and Vancouver. In New York City, citywide registration led to participation from the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Department of Education, and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, among others.
“DCAS Facilities are honored to be a part of Daylight Hour each year,” said Jerry Torres, Deputy Commissioner of Facilities Management at DCAS. “This program allows us to bring awareness to all occupants of the facilities that take part in the event annually. Last year, our tenants achieved an overall reduction of 3,350 kW — equivalent to burning 5,500 lbs. of coal. We look forward to being part of Daylight Hour in 2019 and helping to make it even bigger and better than last year.”
“Daylight Hour may only be one day a year, but it is a powerful reminder to our staff about our commitment to sustainable design and highlights the wealth of daylight many of our sixteen worldwide locations have available already,” said Megan White, Chief Sustainability Officer, Integral. “We are proud to support this event with our friends and colleagues around the world.”
Participants are encouraged to utilize resources on the Daylight Hour website (www.daylighthour.org/resources/), including the energy savings calculator, marketing and engagement materials, Daylight Hour best practices, and case studies from past participants.
Daylight Hour will be on June 21, 2019 from noon until 1pm local time. Register at www.daylighthour.org/join and post your participation to social media to be included in the official count.
www.daylighthour.org
www.be-exchange.org
Twitter: @Daylight_Hour
Instagram: @Daylight_Hour
#DaylightHour
Contact: Yetsuh Frank, Managing Director, BE-Ex, yf@be-exchange.org
