BDO highlights savings from retrofitting old buildings

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) has successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by retrofitting its old buildings, starting with the historic Dasmariñas – Binondo building in Manila.

The move, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, has resulted in substantial cost savings and serves as a model for businesses and homeowners.

“Retrofitting,” the process of updating old buildings with new technology and systems to improve energy efficiency, has proven beneficial for BDO.

“This initiative by the Bank illustrates how seemingly small efforts such as opting for more energy-efficient technology in lighting and elevators can provide huge benefits in the long run,” said Aurea Imelda Montejo, Senior Vice President and Head of Facilities at BDO Unibank.

In 2018, the Dasmariñas – Binondo building was among BDO’s top five highest energy-consuming facilities, with an average monthly consumption of 144,993 kWh—equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about twelve households.

Recognizing the need for substantial energy reduction, BDO initiated a retrofitting project in 2019, starting with the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting.

By the end of 2019, the building’s average monthly energy consumption decreased to 137,867 kWh, a 4.9% reduction compared to the previous year.

The energy saving translated into cost savings of over P800,000 and reduced the Bank’s overall greenhouse gas emissions for scope 2 on electricity consumption.

Building on this success, BDO continued its modernization efforts by upgrading the building’s traditional elevators to smart elevators in 2020.

By 2022, these improvements further reduced the building’s average monthly energy usage to 129,800 kWh, marking a 10% decrease from the 2018 baseline. The investment of P15.9 million generated cumulative savings of over P5.9 million from 2019 to 2022.

“Businesses and homeowners alike can achieve notable cost cuts by investing in energy-efficient technologies. Our experience shows that these investments pay off in reduced operational expenses while creating a positive impact on our environment,” Montejo added.

BDO’s efforts at the Dasmariñas – Binondo building demonstrate that retrofitting is not only an environmentally responsible choice but also a financially sound strategy.

By upgrading lighting systems and installing smart technologies, businesses and homeowners can significantly lower their energy consumption and reduce their utility bills.