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

Federal Energy Management Program

Boatwright Maintenance Park Building 2770

The Department of the Army's Boatwright Maintenance Park Building 2770 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, has been part of the Fort Knox maintenance program since the 1950s. Back when Building 2770 was built, construction focused on longevity rather than energy efficiency because energy was inexpensive at the time. The facility had an aged roof with deteriorated R-7 insulation, and the walls were traditional concrete masonry with no additional insulation. It was originally constructed with single-pane windows that were later covered with a half an inch of spray foam, which improved energy performance but detracted from appearance.

Energy Improvements

Energy reduction at the Building 2770 started after the Fort Knox advanced-metering system came online and began collecting data for all buildings that were 29,000 square feet or larger. As the data came in on Building 2770, it became clear that the facility was consuming more energy than it should due to the construction materials used. After a review and analysis of the facility's energy use, construction, and tenant functions, a project was developed to address and upgrade this facility.

The project addressed all major energy items, as well as many non-energy improvements. When coordinating the needs of the tenants and the long-term master plan, it was imperative that the upgrades addressed both energy and aesthetic improvements at once. These improvements included:

• Closing non-functional roof ridge vents
• New spray foam roof with R-20 rating
• New insulated EIFS walls with R-13 rating
• New insulated low air infiltration overhead doors with R-15 rating
• Upgraded windows in accordance with Fort Knox's energy design guidelines
• Air-source heat pumps for office spaces
• Mechanical ventilation
• High-efficiency exterior wall lighting
• Sealing existing entry doors.

In all, the improvements reduced Building 2770's energy consumption by approximately 30% from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2011, elevating the facility from being one of the most energy-inefficient buildings on the post to one of most energy-efficient ones.