Case Studies

Read about the successes other building owners and operators have achieved in their retrofit projects.

Albuquerque, NM - Multifamily energy-efficient lighting & water conservation with no first cost

Performance contracting allowed Albuquerque, New Mexico, to upgrade its public housing without any upfront costs. The $1.4 million project focused on installing both energy-efficient lighting and low-flush toilets in 28 buildings around the city. The upgrades will save an estimated 1.14 million kilowatt hours of electricity, 7,656 therms of natural gas and 166,422 gallons of water per year.

City of Boulder Housing Authority - Multifamily energy-efficient lighting

Through an Energy Performance Contract, the City of Boulder Housing Authority installed energy-efficient lighting at Canyon Pointe, an 82-unit complex for seniors. The project, which cost $11,927, saves nearly $4,000 each year.

Danbury Public Housing Authority (Connecticut) - Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in HUD public housing

A cogeneration system supplies up to 60 kW of electricity, heating to four of seven residential floors, and all domestic water for the 100-unit Wooster Manor building. The CHP system was installed in 1998, and Wooster Manor's energy costs dropped by $40,000, or almost 50%.

Rachel Anne Apartments, Gresham (Oregon) - Insulation, lighting and windows

The 1970s-vintage apartment complex wasn't as marketable as its newer counterparts. With financial incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. and Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits, all units were upgraded with new energy-efficient windows, increased insulation levels, and energy-efficient lighting. The units are more comfortable and less prone to window condensation and mold, and residents save over $250/unit each year in energy costs.

LaSalle County Housing Authority - lighting retrofits, boiler replacement, water meter improvements

The LaSalle County (Illinois) Housing Authority has undertaken a project to implement energy-saving improvements at 927 sites at 19 of its developments. The project will include lighting retrofits, boiler replacement, and water meter consolidation, saving an estimated $150,000 each year. The project is funded through an Energy Performance Contract.

Minneapolis Housing Authority Energy-Efficiency Program - high rise water, sewer, heating and cooling improvements

The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) used an Energy Performance Contract to rehabilitate the water, sewer, heating, and cooling systems of 40 high-rise developments. During the first 18 months of the program, MPHA saved more than $1 million and anticipates saving approximately $3 million over the 10-year program period.

New York City Housing Authority - Refrigerator Replacement

The New York Power Authority replaced more than 180,000 old, inefficient refrigerators in the New York City Housing Authority with smaller, more efficient units that use just one-third the energy of the older models, saving $7.2 million annually in electricity costs. The new refrigerators rely on a more environmentally friendly refrigerant. Also, an appliance recycler in Syracuse removes all salvageable components from the older units and recycles millions of pounds of aluminum, copper, steel and cardboard.

Oakland Housing Authority - multifamily energy conservation

Oakland Housing Authority implemented a number of conservation measures and practices throughout its buildings in order to reduce costs and improve resident comfort. With technical assistance from Rebuild America, Oakland Housing Authority developed a prototype for renovating small public housing sites. The result was a model that improves resident comfort while improving energy efficiency.

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh - multifamily lighting, water and heating improvements

A comprehensive energy plan undertaken at the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) will reduce energy consumption and save the Authority more than $4 million over 10 years. The plan includes a host of measures for eight properties, including a lighting retrofit, water-conservation measures, and installation of radiator control valves, boiler controls, and domestic hot water temperature controls. The project is funded through an energy performance contract.

Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority - multifamily water saving measures

A water-efficiency program implemented at the Portsmouth (Ohio) Metropolitan Housing Authority is saving $100,000 in water costs each year. The program installed low-flush toilet and low-flow shower heads in 776 units, as well as repairing any leaking faucets.

Richmond Housing Authority - multifamily water saving and energy-efficiency

The Richmond (Virginia) Housing Authority (RHA) is saving nearly $800,000 annually on its water bills after installing water- and energy-saving devices in its housing. The Authority installed 3,350 new water-saving 1.6-gallon toilets; 6,700 faucet aerators; and 3,350 showerheads in its tenant units. Other efforts at RHA include an energy-efficient lighting retrofit, refrigerator replacement, and boiler replacement.

20th Street Apartments - Santa Monica, California: Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Retrofit

When the inefficient radiant ceiling heating system needed replacing, the City of Santa Monica and the Community Corporation of Santa Monica used the opportunity to include repair of solar-assisted hot water heating system, Energy Star refrigerators, increased attic and wall insulation, double-glazed windows and sliding glass doors, compact fluorescent lighting, setback thermostats, and skylights. The measures will collectively reduce electricity consumption by 39% and natural gas consumption by 22%, totaling some $10,000 each year.

Summit Plaza (New Jersey) - Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in HUD-assisted multifamily housing

A HUD demonstration site where, since 1975, a cogeneration system supplies up to 3 megawatts of electricity, heating and cooling to four residential towers with 485 units, a grade school, a pool, and commercial property. The CHP system has delivered 99.8% power reliability and saves 160,000 gallons of fuel annually. The property manager says, "If we had to do it all over again and it were up to me, I'd definitely do it...."

Wilmington Housing Authority (Delaware) - multifamily energy-efficiency improvements and resident rewards

Through an Energy Performance Contract, the Wilmington Housing Authority has implemented an energy efficiency project that includes the installation of efficient heat pumps, refrigerators, lighting, toilets, insulation, and thermostats. The project will save an estimated $3.5 million over the length of the 12-year contract. In addition, in recognition of their efforts to conserve energy, residents have been awarded funds to pay for school scholarships, school supplies, emergency hardship funds, and cultural events.