Sunrise Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Communities operate the first senior care facilities to earn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification.

The organizations received the awards last month at the Assisted Living Federation of America’s annual conference and exposition in Orlando.

This was the first year the EPA opened up Energy Star certification to senior care communities, defined as either standalone or multi-building campuses such as assisted living, skilled nursing or select continuing care retirement communities. Energy Star-certified buildings typically use 35% less energy and produce 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
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Sunrise upgraded 30 communities in eight states, while Horizon Bay upgraded two.

Sunrise focused specifically on implementing more efficient lighting and HVACR, laundry and kitchen operations spokeswoman Lauren Bentley said.

“Sunrise continues to improve its energy performance by making energy-conscious decisions and cost-effective improvements to its buildings and community operations, while providing the best home for our residents,” Bentley said. 

To qualify for the Energy Star, a building or manufacturing plant must earn a 75 or higher on EPA’s 1 to 100 energy performance scale. Sunrise’s 30 communities, in eight states, join more than 12,600 Energy Star certified commercial buildings that are performing in the top 25% for energy efficiency when compared to similar buildings nationwide. n