Allianz Life Earns ENERGY STAR Certification, Improves Building’s Score by Upgrading Cooling System

Company ranks among top three percent of similar campuses in the United States

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the sixth consecutive year, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) earned the prestigious ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its campus in Golden Valley, Minn. Allianz Life earned the certification because of its superior energy-saving performance and the efforts taken in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ENERGY STAR recognizes Allianz Life’s headquarters as among the most energy efficient in the United States.

This year Allianz Life earned a score of 97 out of 100, an increase by six points from the prior year, putting it in the top three percent of similar-size buildings nationwide. The improved score reflects the addition of new chiller controls, boiler controls and cooling elements in the buildings on the corporate campus during 2014. Allianz Life employees also support the company’s energy-saving efforts by closing the blinds on hot days allowing for less air conditioning. These changes improved temperature controls on campus and led to energy cost savings of more than $1 million over the national average according to EPA. ENERGY STAR buildings on average use 35 percent less energy and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“As an active partner in the community, Allianz Life uses sustainable practices and helps improve our environment,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Suzanne Dowd Zeller. “We also deliver on our commitment to employees by maintaining energy efficiency and improving campus amenities.”

In addition to the temperature control updates, both buildings use energy-conserving light bulbs as well as motion sensors that only turn on air conditioning when needed. During nonpeak operating hours, Allianz Life turns off heating/cooling systems and nonessential parking ramp lights. The company also uses efficient blade data servers that require less power and cooling.

The ENERGY STAR program was launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992. According to EPA, more than 1.5 million new homes and nearly 22,000 buildings across all 50 states have earned EPA's ENERGY STAR certification. The ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 70 different kinds of products with more than 4.8 billion sold since 1992.

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2015, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 147,000 employees worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Sara Thurin Rollin, 763-765-6703
[email protected]

Source: Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

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