The Building Tune Up program is on its way

The Building Tune Up program was officially launched on November 16 at Szencorp in South Melbourne.

The program will assist commercial building owners and tenants to retrofit their offices to use less energy and water and to run more efficiently by implementing systems which guarantee ongoing cost savings.

The Szencorp building situated at 40 Albert Road South Melbourne is an excellent example of what can be achieved through retrofitting.  This mid-80's office building has been fully recycled and has now achieved the highest green rating.

The Building Tune Up program focuses on improving the energy and water efficiency of existing local commercial buildings.  The aim of the program is to improve the energy performance of participating buildings by at least 1-star Australian Greenhouse Building Rating (AGBR).  The program also intends to reduce water usage by 25%.

Tuning up your building is a terrific way to support the environment while increasing business viability. If you are a commercial building manager, tenant or owner, the Building Tune Up program can help you to retrofit your offices to run more efficiently.

By joining the program, you can significantly increase the efficiency of your building while reducing the utility costs of your buildings.  You will be reducing greenhouse emissions and water use without compromising aesthetics or comfort.

Upon completion, your building will be promoted as an example of a smart building with a competitive edge that supports business viability. 

• Operational efficiency will increase by at least 1 energy star (up to 20% less energy use)
• 25% reduction in water usage.
• Guaranteed reduction in your building's ongoing utility costs.
• Guaranteed payback of all capital costs within 18 months.
• Your retrofit managed, costed, audited, verified and monitored at no cost.
• Subsidisation of over 25% of retrofit costs.
• Capacity to utilise Performance Contracting to defer the upfront capital costs of your building retrofit.
• Your building nationally rated and promoted as an eco-smart building.
• A more viable commercial space with increased asset value.

To become a participant, you will need to consider the following factors:

• Your location - the Tune Up Program targets commercial buildings in the municipality of Port Phillip.
• The size of your building or commercial space needs to be larger than 2500 square metres.

Depending on the size of your building, your cost contribution is likely to be between $20,000 - $30,000.  This covers the majority of actual capital improvements to the building and equates to roughly half the total costs of the efficiency retrofit.  The Tune Up program guarantees an 18 month payback period for these costs.

Additional costs are covered by the sponsors of the Tune Up program.  These include the costs of auditing, monitoring, project consultancy and management, and additional capital improvements.

The Building Tune Up program also offers the opportunity for participants to take up the option of performance contracting your building retrofit.  This allows you to defer the upfront costs and associated risks of your building energy and water efficiency retrofit against your current operating costs.

Building Tune Up - PHASE 1

• December  2006 - Participation formalised
• March 2007 - Building audits & smart-metering, retrofit plan, costs & savings plan
• April-July 2007 - Retrofit, stages 1&2
• April-Oct 2007 - Costs & savings monitoring, verification
• November 2007 onward - Building promoted across commercial and building sectors

If you're interested in increasing the energy and water efficiency of your building while reducing the utility costs please download an Expression of Interest form here. You can fax your Expression of Interest to 03 9209 6220 or email assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

• The City of Port Phillip
• SzenCorp

Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Environmental Policy & Planning.

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