The Challenge
Lerner Enterprises is among the largest retail and commercial property management firms in the Washington, D.C. area. Its properties include one of the region's largest upscale shopping centers, White Flint. White Flint features an eclectic mix of 91 retail chains and specialty stores in a 600,000 square foot complex located in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland.

During the summer months, it became apparent that White Flint's 22-year old decentralized air conditioning system could not adequately maintain the cooling comfort of the facility. Tenants and patrons had begun to complain of the intolerable conditions and Lerner realized they needed to act quickly or risk losing both customers and proprietors. With little in-house skills to evaluate and determine the needs of the complex, Lerner realized that they needed the expertise of an energy management partner, and they selected Pepco Energy Services.

The Solution

After thorough investigation and analysis of the facility's systems, Pepco Energy's engineers recommended a complete overhaul of the entire air conditioning system. Pepco Energy installed an 1,800-ton central chilled water plant, as well as a high efficiency air conditioning system to meet the original building's design and central cooling needs, as well as accommodate future expansion needs.

White Flint not only received a dependable, highly-efficient cooling system, they experienced generous savings as a result of the work performed. Pepco Energy managed all project implementation including design, engineering, construction management and even financing to help soften the blow of the significant capital investment.

Through Pepco Energy's unique financing programs, Lerner was able to fund the new improvements and demonstrate how ownership could afford the costs of the project through an extended term lease arrangement. Pepco Energy owns the air conditioning system through the term of the lease, and Lerner manages and maintains the equipment.

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