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

Federal Energy Management Program

Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse

The General Services Administration's (GSA) Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse in Topeka, Kansas, has six stories–four above grade and two below grade–and a large central atrium.

Energy Improvements

Energy-efficiency and energy-reduction measures were accomplished at the Carlson Building as the result of a full building retro-commissioning study. The findings provided direction for an energy-reduction renovation project that included the following improvements:

• Installation of four high-efficiency, climate-changer air handlers
• Replacement of Moduline® terminal units with variable air volume boxes
• Commissioning of new equipment
• Advanced metering of all energy and water sources
• Replacement of rooftop solar panels used for pre-heating domestic water.

From fiscal year (FY) 2008 to FY 2011, the Frank Carlson Building reduced overall energy usage by 6.5%. During this period, utility costs escalated more than 29%, so the 6.5% reduction in energy use provided an avoided utility cost of approximately $17,500 per year.

For the FY 2012 period ending February, compared to the same period of FY 2011, the Frank Carlson Building saw an energy reduction of more than 10.5% and a utility cost avoidance of approximately $13,800 for the current fiscal year period compared to the same period in 2011.

The building also received several awards for its energy reduction efforts, including the ENERGY STAR® Building Label in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the Frank Building was certified as being in compliance with the "Guiding Principles for Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings."