Environmental Leader

After an energy and water-efficiency retrofit of its headquarters building, Bath & Body Works expects to save about $140,000 a year, said Robin Hoffman, a spokeswoman for Limited Brands, which owns Bath & Body Works.

In all, the projects will help Bath & Body Works tally an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 1,736,158 pounds, Hoffman said.

The headquarters, in Columbus, Ohio, received a modification to the plumbing system to low flow fixtures that should result in approximately a 15 percent reduction in water use, Hoffman said.

Some of the projects to reduce energy use included:

- The addition of power management software to turn off PCs after hours.

- Training staff in energy efficiency and sustainability.

- Reducing hot water heating set points to manufacturer recommended minimums.

- Replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs and reducing energy use by 75 percent.

- Replacing seals in loading dock doors.

- Review of HVAC schedules and set points to ensure minimum settings per ASHRAE standards.

Getting staff buy-in was key, Hoffman said.

Energy efficiency training is performed with building managers on a monthly basis on energy waste including subjects like leaking door seals, compressed air leaks, revolving doors savings, light sensors and temperature set point maintenance, she said.

“As a result, the building manager surveyed the operation of motion sensors and found 75 percent were over sensitive. He adjusted sensitivity and saved 18,020 kWh in a three month period at a savings of more than $750.”

The retailer also is working on a distribution center lighting project, which involves replacing/retrofitting existing lighting fixtures with newer, more efficient fixtures.

The retrofit helped Bath & Body Works earn a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a press release.