Energy savings in the future for AHA’s highrises and family properties

Now that the ARRA-funded improvements are nearly complete at the 13 AHA-owned highrises and family properties, it’s time for more improvements to increase their viability and improve the lives of our residents.

These upgrades, which include devices that will help conserve electrical and water costs, are designed with the future and money savings in mind. They will cost about $11 million to implement, according to Tom Hoenstine, Program Manager for REM, but will save an estimated $17.9 million in costs over the next 20 years.

Here is a breakdown of some of the improvements AHA has in mind for the Juniper and Tenth, Cheshire Bridge, Peachtree Road, Cosby Spear, East Lake, Georgia Avenue, and Piedmont Road properties:

* New units that provide heating and cooling in the livings rooms of each apartment, with a transfer fan to increase airflow to the 1-bedroom apartaments;
* Energy-conserving compact fluorescent lights will be installed;
* Low-flow toilets will be installed, along with faucet aerators, which regulate the flow of water in the sinks, and low-flow showerheads.
* Bathrooms would be remodeled, with new mirrors and lighting fixtures.

The Barge Road, Hightower Manor, Marian Road, and Marietta Road properties would receive fan coil replacements and servicing in addition to the installation of compact fluorescent lights, low-flow toilets, faucet aerators, and low-flow showerheads.

The family properties, Martin Street Plaza and Westminster, would receive the energy-saving compact fluorescent lights, faucet aerators, and low-flow showerheads.

All the properties except for Martin Street would also be treated to new weatherization – increasing the amount of insulation in the building walls and caulking up gaps in the window units, where the majority of the energy loss is located.

All the major systems will also receive a tune up.

The plan for the implementation of these improvements in scheduled to be presented to the AHA Board of Commissioners at its August meeting.