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Savings Through Efficiency

Some of the primary green features affordable housing developers employ are cutting-edge heating and cooling systems and water saving initiatives.

For instance, the Macedonian, a 36-unit building in Arlington, has, along with a tight envelope and low-emissivity windows, a “variable fluid flow” heating and cooling system—a system used largely in Europe and Asia that achieves much higher efficiency than typical heat pumps. Up to nine units operate off of one condenser, which means that when one tenant is using heat at the same time as another is using air conditioning (often seen in the spring and fall), the waste heat from the air conditioning will be redirected to the units needing heat. The system costs more upfront, but it will last longer and run more efficiently.

“The Macedonian is the most energy efficient multifamily building we’ve done in Northern Virginia, with some of the best integrated design we’ve seen in the state,” says Agee. EarthCraft estimates that The Macedonian will use 40 percent less energy than a similar project built to code.

Installing low-flow faucets, fixtures, and toilets can also generate substantial savings over time. AHC estimates that replacing existing fixtures and toilets with new water-efficient ones can save around 11,000 gallons per apartment or at least $120 a year (based on current Arlington County water and sewer rates).

Market-rate developers and investors are beginning to catch on to these benefits of sustainable building. EarthCraft is increasingly working with market-rate developers and their investors. “There are private funders out there that are only willing to invest in sustainable or green projects,” says Agee.