Salt Lake County Library’s Daybreak Branch is Certified as First Net Zero Building in Utah

After two years of tracking energy production and consumption, the County Library's Daybreak branch has been certified as the first Net Zero Energy building in Utah. Net Zero buildings generate their own renewable energy and minimize their energy consumption, resulting in reduced carbon footprint and cost savings for Salt Lake County.

"I'm delighted that the Daybreak branch fulfills our mission to provide a great place for everyone to visit, while integrating this stellar level of energy efficiency," said County Library Director Joey McNamee. "Our employees and the architects went above and beyond to meet the Net Zero Energy requirements and I could not be prouder. From materials to services to programs to solar arrays, there are plenty of opportunities to learn, create, and connect with others at the County Library—a vibrant community space that has such a profound impact on the lives of Salt Lake County residents."

Deep underneath the parking lot, the Daybreak branch uses geothermal energy, taking advantage of the earth's regulated underground temperature to avoid huge heating and cooling shifts, while reducing energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Daybreak also has an array of 512 solar panels, which produce 102% of the onsite energy needs.

"Daybreak was an exciting opportunity to bring multiple building technologies together in one beautiful space," said Architectural Nexus Principal Holli Adams. "We're thrilled that we were able to apply creativity in the design, positioning, and energy elements to build the first Net Zero Energy Certified building in Utah."

The County Library's Daybreak branch opened in 2022 and features a Create space, outdoor amphitheater, rooftop garden, and meeting and study rooms, in addition to its collection of thousands of books and resources. As one of the most popular library systems in North America, the County Library welcomes more than 2 ½ million visitors to branches every year and checks out nearly 12.5 million items.

"As our County continues to grow, it's vital that we do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and sustainably," said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. "The efficiencies built into this County Library branch, and the individual energy-saving actions regularly taken by employees, are saving taxpayer dollars. Additionally, by using innovations in design and building technology, we're improving the quality of life for ourselves and the generations to come.