AECP member Community Housing Partners (CHP) received the 2007 ENERGY STAR award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing. The award was presented to CHP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) in recognition of CHP’s efforts to provide energy-efficient housing for low-income residents. The award specifically recognizes CHP’s Roanoke-Lee Street Duplex project, which is located in Blacksburg, VA, for utilizing energy-efficient technologies in affordable housing initiatives and educating the consumers of the ENERGY STAR benefits.
Through a partnership with the Town of Blacksburg, the 14 units, ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet, are now home to 14 first time low-to moderate-income homebuyers and their families. Each duplex unit is an ENERGY STAR Qualified new home, which means that according to the EPA, they are at least 15% more energy efficient standard homes, using substantially less energy for heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, and appliances. To ensure each home’s true efficiency and durability, all systems and features were manually tested by CHP staff who are Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) certified technicians and produced energy rating scores ranging from 72-74 on all units, thereby achieving the Energy Star Rating.
Community Housing partners is a 501©(3) community development corporation that serves the needs of low-income and low-wealth individuals and families in the southeast. Their mission is to strengthen communities and create opportunities for the people they serve by assisting individuals with their housing, economic, and social needs. Activities include sustainable development, architectural design, construction, energy services, homeownership, housing management, and resident and youth services.
EARTHCRAFT HOUSE PROGRAM INTRODUCED IN VIRGINIA
Virginia Governor Tim Kaine helped launch an initiative that provides Virginia homebuyers with a one-stop source for homes that save money on energy and utility bills, provide excellent indoor air quality, are durable, and feature environmentally friendly products. To qualify for this program, a builder must be a member of their local homebuilders association, register with the national program and complete a training course. Each new home is required to pass a final inspection before being certified as an EarthCraft House. The inspection is based on a flexible point system that requires a minimum of 150 points for a house to be certified in the following areas: site planning, energy efficient techniques and equipment, resource efficient design and materials, waste management, indoor air quality, water conservation, home buyer education, and builder operations.
AECP member Shelter Alternatives, a design and build company located in Blacksburg, VA is now a certified EarthCraft Builder.
AECP SPONSORS HEAT PUMP TRAINING
AECP will sponsor a two-day training at Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA on April 18 and 19, 2007. The training will focus on heat pumps, electrical safety, and wiring schematics. The instructor is Mike Alderman, HVAC professor with the college.
TREES HELP FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING
Spring is here and this is a great opportunity to slow the effects of greenhouse gases by planting trees. As trees grow they remove carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, from the air, storing carbon in the trees and the soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. While your trees absorb carbon dioxide they also reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned for heating and cooling. Deciduous trees planted on the south side of your home can provide shade in the summer and reduce cooling costs by 15 to 50%. Evergreen trees planted on the north and west side of your home can provide a barrier to cold winter winds and reduce heating costs by as much as 25%.
ENERGY TIP
Just as wearing white clothes reflects the suns heat from your body, a white or light-colored roof will help reflect the suns heat away from your home. This strategy works particularly well when trees are located next to the reflecting surface. Not only do trees provide shade, they absorb the reflected sunlight for photosynthesis. In the process, water evaporates from the tree, cooling the air around the house.