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Building Energy Efficient Homes |
Energy Efficiency |
Redevelopment is a holistic effort at the BHA, and often incorporates methods to make healthier and more energy efficient buildings. This effort has grown out of Energy Performance Contracting and initiatives that determined how to make living spaces healthier.
The introduction of Energy Performance Contracting into the Public Housing sector in the mid-1990s changed the way housing authorities viewed and managed their energy use. For the BHA, it has provided the opportunity to finance large capital improvements through the utilization of the energy and water savings created by installing new energy and water efficient systems.
Starting in 1999 with the first of two large Energy Performance Contracts, BHA embarked on a journey that constantly pushes the envelope for new energy improvements throughout its housing developments. BHA’s first Energy Performance Contract (EPC) encompassed six of its state funded developments. A second EPC followed in early 2000 and included replacement of the central heating plant in one of the region’s oldest and largest federal developments. Combined, both EPC’s provided $17 million dollars in much needed capital improvements, financed entirely through the energy and water savings resulting from the enhanced performance of the new systems.
In 2001, BHA, through funding provided by its utility partners and the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), undertook an initiative to both document and categorize the existing physical condition of its developments and identify possible energy and water saving opportunities. From this came an Energy and Water Efficiency Master Report that was used to create a systematic plan for addressing the BHA’s most urgent capital and operational needs. The report identified a potential $52 million in savings that could be achieved by making energy improvements at 33 of our most at risk developments. This information was then used by the BHA to lay the ground work for its next, and largest, EPC.
Projected to generate a $40+ million investment over a 20 year period and provide upgrades to 13 developments ESCO III is expected to start in late 2008 and is expected to be finished in 2010. The project will allow for the replacement of boilers, piping, toilets, and other important infrastructure in BHA’s housing as well as the incorporation of Green alternative technologies in the form of Solar Thermal, Solar Photvoltaic and roof mounted micro wind turbines. The BHA also plans to embark on a fourth ESCO to improve its energy performance at the remainder of its state funded developments.
BHA’s initial success with Energy Performance Contracting provided the impetus to pursue a more aggressive approach in all of its redevelopment efforts, both for new construction and gut rehab projects. BHA has found that the ancillary benefits of an improved system, including a higher level of resident comfort and safety, enhanced building durability, and the energy and water savings, all lead to a healthier living environment for residents.
The Maverick Gardens HOPE VI redevelopment represents one of BHA’s latest efforts to implement cutting-edge energy saving and Green Building techniques in the context of a comprehensive “Whole Building” and environmentally conscious approach to building. To that end, BHA has endeavored to incorporate both LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Energy Star standards and criteria in the design and development of Maverick Landing. From gas engines that create electricity and hot water, to solar panels that convert heat into electricity, recycling of construction materials, to the use of paints that are comprised of low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), flooring made from “green” recycled materials and innovative apartment ventilation measures are just a few of the items employed in BHA’s efforts required to meet LEED certification rating. LEED rating measures a holistic type of building system design that includes a focus on energy conservation, environmental factors such water run-off and resident health and comfort.
Maverick Landing, Phase I and II received an Energy Star Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) of 87, which recognizes the buildings as very high performing/energy efficient as compared to similar buildings across the country. The HERS is a direct result of aggressive efforts to use state-of-art materials and techniques, such as fiberglass windows, spray foam insulation and advanced air sealing measures. Phase III of the development was completed in October of 2006.
Another milestone was the rehabilitation at Plant Court, which is part of the Bromley-Heath development. Completed in April of 2005, the 45-unit redevelopment was a gut rehab of three vacant, federally funded public housing buildings. At the time this project was completed, it was the first gut-rehab project in Boston to be eligible for an Energy Star HERS rating.
A portion of the West Broadway development, which was rebuilt in 2004 and 2005, received an average HERS score of 94, the highest rating possible under the Energy Star system at that time.
BHA has also worked with its utility partners on smaller site-specific projects that have been funded through various utility energy conservation programs. These initiatives have resulted in BHA installing new, high-efficiency, windows, refrigerators, lighting and insulation. The money saved through energy conservation has helped to cover the cost of capital improvements in a period when funding sources for public housing capital improvements have become more and more limited.
Through the above initiatives and with the help of its partners, the BHA has proactively improved the health, safety and comfort of its residents. Partners in the above initiatives: National Grid, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), EnergyStar, AMERESCO, NORESCO, Nstar, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
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