With the increasing demand for low income housing, public housing authorities have discovered that green building solutions can make homes more affordable and more livable.
One of the largest public housing agencies in America, Seattle Housing Authority has discovered a way to reduce fuel consumption by 37 per cent at a 120 acre West Seattle redevelopment. High Point is a pedestrian-friendly community that features a mixture of 1,700 low and market-rate properties. It also includes ample park space.
Tom Phillips, senior development manager at Seattle Housing Authority, said that High Point sets a new standard for sustainable green building in housing authorities. “Our design team includes firms that are among the region’s leaders in sustainable development, and who share Seattle Housing’s passion for building a greener, more affordable and more livable community.”
This community boasts an innovative natural drainage system, as well as a variety of energy-efficient and conservation solutions such a Baxi Luna combination heating unit and domestic hot water wall-hung boilers in rental homes.
“Baxi Luna is an elegant, all-in-one, backpack-sized boiler with tankless hot water capabilities,”Matt Sullivan is the Mithum project manager. He is a leader in reducing energy use. “It generates fuel-use savings while helping us to make the most of space limitations. It allows us to fit a stackable washer and dryer in the same closet as the combination central heating and domestic hot water boiler.”
Independent research showed that High Point homes equipped with Baxi units saved 37% on fuel. It was also found that housing becomes more affordable with the addition of conservation technology such as the Baxi hydronic heating systems. This is because utility rates rise and public utilities and government agencies offer new financial incentives to conserve.
The Seattle Housing Authority installed its first Baxi solar hot water heating system at High Point in spring. It expects that it will provide additional fuel and save money. The Baxi Luna 3 Comfort combination heating/domestic hot water boiler is used to heat the renewable energy system. It can also accept pre-heated solar water from the storage tank.
Visit www.wallhungboilers.comFind out more about Baxi’s proven energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly heating systems.
