Energy Star Certification of Main Courthouse

Energy Star Webpage Banner

Cumberland County is one of 6 Government Courthouses in the United States & the only Courthouse in Pennsylvania to receive the EPA Energy Star Award in 2020.

Nearly 5 million energy dollars have been saved over the last 15 years due to the efforts of our Facilities Management team.

Edison Graphic Rounded Corners. 2021 Opens in new windowGet additional Energy Star Facts

The History

In 2004, our Cumberland County Administrator and Director of Facilities Management began an innovative conversation concerning energy saving upgrades. Consequently, in April 2005 a contract for $1.9 million was awarded to Constellation Energy Projects & Services. 

Through the continued collaboration of our Director of Facilities Management and Constellation Energy, the County was able to replace its outdated equipment with new energy efficient equipment.

Within 7 years Cumberland County received a full payback of the initial investment. Today, we continue to reap 100% of the monetary benefits due to our energy management system.  

9 Gas Hot Water Heater
12 Dual Fuel Burner

Saving energy has become a way of life for the Facilities Management team of Cumberland County.

Project Components

  • Replacement of the boiler at the New Courthouse, Old Courthouse and Old Jail
  • Replacement of the cooling tower at the New Courthouse
  • Installation of energy efficient lights
  • Installation of energy motion sensors on vending machines
  • Initiation of water management via low flow spigots and toilets
  • Replacement of hot water usage with an ozone system for laundry at the Claremont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and County Prison
  • Installation of an energy management system which provides remote computer access to the County’s HVAC systems
  • Facilities Management continues to upgrade to LED lighting in all county buildings and parking lots, and monitors all energy savings measures to achieve annual cost savings along with available rebates
John Lopp with 2020 Award
1 LED Energy Saving Lighting at Cumberland County Courthouse
8 Incandescent vs. CFL and T8 Lighting
13 Vending Machine Motion Sensor

What does it all mean?

The installation of energy efficient lighting and vending machines; low flow water faucets and commodes; recycling programs; and several other initiatives have lowered the courthouse’s greenhouse emissions. The reduction is the equivalent of removing 300 passenger cars from our roads per year over 15 years. This program has also provided cost savings for the County. Last year, Facilities Management was able to save the County more than $350,000 in energy costs.

Our guaranteed energy savings, for year 15 was expected to be $309,036. However, Cumberland County exceeded the projected amount, with an actual savings of $369,394. That’s a savings of 19% beyond what was expected!

Cumberland County Commissioners remain committed to maintaining energy efficiency as a priority utilizing energy savings measures in all County-owned facilities. Our total Energy Savings after 15 years is over $4.9 million!

Additional Information

For more facts and data on energy initiatives, please see the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Certified Buildings and Plants page.

2020 Energy Star Plaque