Agency has leveraged more than $12 million through partnerships that provide outside funding; agency is presenting this week at Greenbuild conference
The Chicago Housing Authority is halfway through a $31 million energy-efficiency project that is replacing outdated systems in its public housing portfolio – allowing for improvements in more than 9,000 apartments.
Half of the eight projects are complete, with the final four expected to be completed by early 2019.
CHA is presenting this week at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo at McCormick Place Wednesday through Friday.
The CHA’s Sustainable Initiatives department has financed the project in part by leveraging more than $12 million over the past two years through partnerships that provide outside funding.
CHA CEO Eugene E. Jones Jr. said projects like this have led the CHA to decrease its overall energy usage by over 10 percent since 2014.
“The agency has been creative in optimizing operations and decreasing energy costs by leveraging funds through partnerships, and I am proud of the resourcefulness we have shown in maximizing taxpayer dollars,” Jones said. “Now, the CHA Capital Improvement Plan can include a larger scope of work at more properties because of the savings allowed by this program.”
Among the projects that have been completed over the past two years:
- New heating distribution in 1,090 units at Patrick Sullivan, Major Lawrence, Mary Jane Richardson-Jones, Elizabeth Davis, and new central plants for heating and hot water at Elizabeth Davis, Alfreda Barnett Duster, William Jones senior buildings as well as retro-commissioning work at Kenmore. Leveraged funds (Peoples Gas Rebate Program): $301,365. Total project value: $19,116, 886. Project is complete.
Natural Gas savings: 174,173 therms.
- Replacement of 128 furnaces and 128 hot water heaters with new energy efficient equipment at Lowden Homes. Leveraged funds (Peoples Gas Rebate Program): $277,416. Total project value: $686,464. Project is complete.
Energy savings: 39,889 therms and 82,432 kilowatt hours.
- Replacement of exterior pathway and interior corridor lighting at Dearborn Homes with new LED lighting. Leveraged funds: $280,775 (ComEd Rebate Program). Total project value: $297,355. Project is complete.
Electricity savings: 936,787 kilowatt hours.
- Replacement of central domestic hot water and heating systems with new energy-efficient equipment and controls at Wentworth Gardens; replaced most refrigerator, stove and air conditioning appliances with new Energy Star-certified models; and replacement of interior lighting with LED’s. Leveraged funds: $4,244,389 (CEDA Program). Total project value: $4,244,389. Project is complete.
- Replacing all domestic hot water and heating systems with new energy efficient equipment and new control systems at ABLA Homes. Also installing roof and exterior wall insulation, and weatherizing exterior windows all for increased interior heat retainage. Replacing appliances with Energy Star-certified models and replacing interior and exterior lighting with LEDs. Leveraged funds: $ 3,658,441 million (CEDA Program). Total project value: $3,658,441 million. Project is in construction.
- Replacing central plant heating and hot water equipment and heating distribution systems at Lincoln Perry senior building. Also replacing inefficient appliances with new Energy Star-certified models. Interior and exterior lighting replaced with LEDs. Leveraged funds anticipated: $4 million (CEDA Program). Total anticipated project value: $4 million. Project is in final design phase.
- Replacing interior and exterior lighting with new LED’s at Altgeld Gardens. Leveraged funds (ComEd Rebate Program): $455,065. Total project value: $455,065. Project is in progress and expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Anticipated energy savings 1,094,755 kilowat hours.
- Cleaning and inspecting heating boilers, replacing gaskets and checking safety trips at 21 senior buildings. Leveraged funds (Peoples Gas Boiler Tune-Up Program): $128,559. Total project value: $128,559. The boiler tune-up program is in progress and will be complete by the end of 2018. Anticipated energy savings: 115,075 therms.
“The Chicago Housing Authority is a leader in innovative energy management, and energy efficiency is a key focus,” said Ellen Sargent, CHA’s Director of Sustainable Initiatives. “These projects provide increased comfort for CHA residents by providing a more controlled and temperate condition in their home during winter months.; while decreasing the CHA’s energy usage and operating costs.”
Sargent will present “Commitment to Construction: Solar Power on Public Housing” at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 15.
Also, CHA will host the “Seniors Living Green” tour from 2-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16.
Conference link: https://www.greenbuildexpo.com/en/home.html
