Jersey City, NJ Housing Authority: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline. Jersey City Housing Authority's portfolio consists of 9 buildings and 1.5 million square feet. Partner has improved energy performance by 21% from a 2011 baseline, achieving their goal of 20% by 2023. Energy savings have been achieved through execution of an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) by modernizing the HVAC, plumbing and lighting systems in JCHA’s residential properties, installation of a new solar HW system at Holland Gardens, including controls, insulation and weatherstripping, and implementation of Boiler Decentralization and Electrical Infrastructure upgrades at Booker T. Washington Apts. Furthermore, the JCHA is committed to continuing its agency-wide energy conservation plan.

*Although Jersey City Housing Authority has improved energy performance by 21% from a 2011 baseline, energy consumption during 2020 was higher than a typical year since some buildings experienced increased occupancy due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Looking at the percent improvement in energy performance across all facilities can provide insight into how an organization is saving energy. Jersey City Housing Authority has achieved energy performance improvement of greater than 10% at 6 of its properties. 

Property-level energy performance metrics, including EUI and percent improvement to date, are critical to track progress over time and identify opportunities for additional energy savings. Jersey City Housing Authority's portfolio consists of properties with a wide range of baseline EUI values, most of which are from 150 to 350 kBtu/sq. ft. All properties have shown energy improvement since 2011.