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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Neal Smith Federal Building

Energy Use Intensity

Current Rank: 3rd

Change in EUI: -32.7%

Graphic of a baseball card showing a photo of the Neal Smith Federal Building.
Graphic of the back of a baseball card showing statistics for the Neal Smith Federal Building. The building is located in Des Moines, IA, is in the category Office Space, is 360,003 sq ft, and has an energy baseline of 63.6 KBtu/sq ft. It's highlights include advanced metering for energy and water, perimeter radiant-heat units, and high-efficiency transformers.

The General Services Administration's (GSA) Neal Smith Federal Building is a 12-story facility constructed in 1967. It houses more than 40 agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Internal Revenue Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, and the Social Security Administration. A new facade for the building (three sides of curtain wall/metal and one side a full glass curtain wall) was completed in 2005.

Energy Improvements

In 2009, two 650-ton chillers were replaced with four 225-ton oil-free magnetic levitation chillers, along with variable frequency drives for condenser water pumps and cooling tower fans. The four smaller chillers are quieter and more efficient.

In 2010, a $31 million energy-reduction project was initiated at the Neal Smith Building that included full building retro-commissioning study. Study findings provided direction to the design of the renovation project. Key energy-reduction initiatives included:

  • The installation of an advanced metering of all building energy and water
  • Perimeter induction units replaced with perimeter radiant-heat units
  • Installation of a new decoupled ventilation air system (with demand-based zone controls)
  • The replacement of a 1,300-ton, two-cell cooling tower with a new 1,300-ton, four-cell cooling tower with variable frequency drives
  • The replacement electric transformers with high-efficiency transformers
  • A mechanical system redesign, which required ceiling removal and replacement with greater light-reflecting surfaces and sound-absorptive acoustic tiles
  • New motorized window blinds timed to optimize daylight harvesting
  • A lighting controls system that allows for daylight harvesting
  • New LED task lighting was installed throughout the building
  • New water-efficient plumbing fixtures were installed in the remodeled first floor restrooms.

The energy improvements at the Neal Smith Building have resulted in a $73,000 pay back to the GSA. From 2008 to 2011, the building reduced overall energy usage by 17.31% and utility costs by almost 19%, or $84,233 per year.

For the fiscal year (FY) 2012 period ending in February, compared to the same period of FY 2011, the Neal Smith Building saw an energy reduction of more than 28% and a utility cost savings of more than 11% (or a cost savings of $21,700). Between FY 2003 and FY 2011, the overall energy use of the Neal Smith Building was reduced by 19.27%.