Originally published: February 17, 2017 | Last updated: May 4, 2026
New RenewAire Facility Achieves LEED Gold Certification
Sustainability drives every decision we make. Consequently, our team prioritized environmental health when establishing our Waunakee, WI, headquarters. After we moved into this 111,000-square-foot space to meet the rising demand for our energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), our efforts earned LEED Gold certification.
This milestone improved upon our previous facility’s LEED Silver status. Furthermore, the site earned three Green Globes. At the time of certification, RenewAire managed one of the few commercial buildings globally to hold dual certifications from these rigorous rating systems.
How We Achieved Sustainable Manufacturing
We secured LEED Gold by embedding sustainable practices into the facility’s daily operations. Specifically, our team followed USGBC standards for manufacturing projects to reach these goals:
Renewable Energy: We power the building using 100% wind-generated electricity.
Energy Performance: A tight building envelope and a heavily insulated roof help us reduce energy use by 34%.
Water Conservation: We decreased indoor water consumption by 40% through high-efficiency fixtures.
Waste Management: Our contractors recycled 95% of construction waste during the building’s renovation.
Natural Lighting: We utilize LED bulbs along with skylights and solar tubes to brighten the space naturally.
Our “Living Laboratory” for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
We use our own technology to make this site a live demo of healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). For instance, by installing RenewAire ERVs, we maintain ventilation rates well above standard building codes. Additionally, our team configured certain spaces to use 100% outdoor air. This practice supports our Climate Champion philosophy by protecting occupant health.
A Proven Model for Energy Efficiency
Our Waunakee site acts as a “living laboratory”. It illustrates how energy recovery ventilation directly helps reach green manufacturing goals. Across our various production sites, we show that businesses can save energy even while tripling outdoor-air flow. By operating our campuses this way, we prove that clean air and high-performance manufacturing can thrive together.
Frequently Asked Questions: LEED Gold Certification
What is LEED Gold for manufacturing?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold is a high-level rating from the USGBC. It rewards buildings that excel in saving energy and water. For RenewAire, this involved renovating an existing building and recycling nearly all construction waste.
How does RenewAire keep dual certifications?
We achieved these milestones by adhering to the rigorous standards of both the USGBC and the Green Building Initiative. Our strategy relies on a multi-layered approach to efficiency:
Active Technology: We use our own energy recovery ventilators to significantly lower total building loads.
Renewable Sourcing: We power our operations with 100% wind-generated electricity.
Operational Excellence: We reduced our overall energy consumption by 34% compared to standard manufacturing facilities.
Is the RenewAire plant eco-friendly?
Yes, we follow sustainable industry standards. We use LED lights, thick insulation, and wind power to lower our environmental impact.