Southface performs Energy and Water Audit at Georgia Aquarium

August 25, 2025|Southface Staff
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Overview

Southface is currently working with Georgia Aquarium, performing an energy and water audit to identify projects that can provide significant savings on Georgia Aquarium utility bills. Georgia Aquarium was selected as a Department of Energy (DOE) Renew America’s Nonprofits (RAN) GoodUse subrecipient in 2025 and is now receiving an energy and water audit performed by Southface’s GoodUse Technical Principal, Bryant Hains.  

Identifying and implementing high-impact energy efficiency improvements

Southface’s GoodUse program provides technical services and funding in the form of matching grants to both identify and implement high-impact energy efficiency improvements. These improvements will save the organization money on utility bills, allowing funds to be reallocated towards their mission while also lowering their CO2 emissions and reducing their environmental impact. 

Main pump room for the SHARKS! Predators of the Deep exhibit (Photo Credit: Southface)

Southface’s previous work with Georgia Aquarium

Previously, Southface worked with Georgia Aquarium in 2017-2018 as a recipient of an earlier GoodUse grant. After receiving their energy assessment in 2017, Georgia Aquarium selected two of the recommended projects: HVAC retro-commissioning and LED lighting upgrades.

For the HVAC retro-commissioning project, HVAC contractor McKenney’s team of technicians, engineers, and controls staff retro-commissioned 535 pieces of equipment and systems at the Aquarium — including chillers, boilers, pumps, air handlers, variable air volume (VAV) boxes, exhaust fans, and more. With this successful retro-commissioning project, Georgia Aquarium reduced HVAC energy usage by about eight percent.

Some of the 3,013 total light fixtures upgraded to LEDs through a GoodUse grant in 2018 (Photo Credit: Southface)

For the LED lighting project, lighting contractor E. Sam Jones retrofitted all hallway, office, and ballroom lights with LED lamps and replaced entire fixtures with LED fixtures in certain situations, such as the loading dock. In total, they replaced or retrofitted 3,013 light fixtures with LEDs, saving over 600,000 kWh/yr (over $50,000/yr).

Sand filters that force water through the sand to trap debris (Photo Credit: Southface)

As Southface continues working with Georgia Aquarium to better understand its energy and water consumption and identify efficiency opportunities, the GoodUse team is helping advance the Aquarium’s mission in utility savings to remain an entertaining, educational, and scientific institution that inspires awareness and preservation of ocean and aquatic life.

Top-view of Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager tank where the whale sharks live! (Photo Credit: Southface)