December 3, 2008—The Weather Channel has become the first media company to build a stand-alone 24/7 studio to certify for the USGBC’s LEED for New Construction designation. The company achieved a Gold LEED-New Construction certification by implementing many innovative strategies and tactics in the construction of its new earth-friendly HD broadcast facility.
Construction for the 12,500-square-foot facility, which adjoins the company headquarters, began in May of 2007 and was completed in January of 2008. The new studio’s design and construction feature a variety of environmentally friendly elements, which include:
- Energy Conservation: Heat generated from studio lighting eliminates the need for a building-wide heating system; the building is designed to reduce energy consumption by 25% compared to similar buildings; the roofing system reflects 90% of the sun’s rays, lowering air conditioning usage; a high-efficiency variable drive air handler reduces the energy use when A/C is required; and all common areas are controlled by a programmable lighting controller or motion sensors.
- Weather Sensitive Irrigation System: A 75,000-gallon underground retention pond stores water collected from rainfall, which supplies the landscape irrigation system. The system monitors the weather conditions for expected precipitation to determine when the landscape needs to be watered.
- Controlling Energy Costs for Shipment of Materials: Nearly a quarter (in cost) of the building materials were manufactured within 500 miles of The Weather Channel, and over 225 tons of steel and cement were furnished by nearby suppliers.
- Recycling of Materials and Resources: Over 86% of all construction waste was recycled, and over 20% (in cost) of building materials were manufactured with pre- and post-consumer recycled content.
- Water Conservation: In addition to the energy-efficient irrigation system, The Weather Channel installed automatic faucets and flush valves in the restrooms to reduce water consumption.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: To counterbalance the energy needed to light a 24/7 studio, The Weather Channel purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy to offset 35% of its electricity usage over the next two years.
- Indoor Air Quality: Products low in volatile organic chemicals (VOC) were selected to minimize pollution, and to eliminate remaining VOC’s, an entire building flush-out was performed prior to occupancy. The air is double-filtered through the mechanical systems.
