The construction of Audi Field which opened in July 2018, was an expensive and complicated project. Nevertheless, by working with its venue manager, Jones Lang LaSalle, D.C. United prioritized efficiency in the stadium’s heating and cooling system. Through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility’s Custom Rebates program, Audi Field received incentives towards the stadium’s heating, cooling, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and ENERGY STAR kitchen equipment.
The stadium was able to make energy efficient improvements in all the kitchen, food areas, locker rooms, lounges, team stores, and various suites throughout the facility. “It’s not only the right thing to do from a corporate-citizen and sustainability perspective, but it also makes economic sense in that, over the long term, these investments will save us money on usage of electric, gas, and water,” DC United’s Vice President of Finance, Gregory Burie. As a part of the stadium’s energy portfolio, the new HVAC systems have occupancy-based sensors that have specific set points which control the temperature based on the number of occupants in a given area.
With the new upgrades the stadium is estimated to save over 750,000 pounds in CO2, almost 450,000 kWh in electricity, over 900 MMBtu in fuel, and almost 6,000 gals of water. The stadium is expected to save over $58,000 in energy savings in the first year. The DCSEU looks forward to continuing the relationship with Audi Field as they set out to complete a solar project in 2020.