Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recognized Better Buildings Challenge partners Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) and Mercy Housing for impressive energy efficiency advances made in multifamily buildings. Both partners have completed showcase projects and are on their way to meeting their goals of reducing energy use by 20% portfolio-wide over 10 years. Mercy Housing has 21 million square feet in its portfolio; TNDC has 2.3 million square feet and has also set a 20% water reduction goal.
Representatives from DOE and HUD visited TNDC’s Better Buildings Showcase Project Alexander Residence and Mercy Housing’s Better Buildings Showcase Project 205 Jones Street Apartments to tour the buildings’ energy and water upgrades. Each organization has recently completed major energy and water efficiency improvements to these properties in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. As a result, the Alexander Residence expects to achieve an annual energy savings of $20,000 or 17% relative to their pre-retrofit baseline. To date, the first-in-class improvements to 205 Jones Street have achieved annual energy savings of $23,319, a 22% cost savings relative to their pre-retrofit utility expenses.
TNDC and Mercy Housing each implemented a combination of energy and water conservation upgrades in their respective building, including a new solar thermal hot water system, energy-efficient steam boiler, thermostatic radiator valves and pipe insulation, new LED lighting throughout tenant and common areas, low-flow water fixtures, and new ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and washing machines. The interventions have resulted in reduced utility costs for both the housing providers and residents, increased resident comfort, and improved asset financial sustainability, which will help preserve affordability in these locations for the long term.
TNDC and Mercy Housing work to preserve affordable housing and services for low-income families and individuals throughout the Bay Area and the U.S., respectively. TNDC’s Alexander Residence is a 12-story building constructed in 1928 and houses 179 seniors with average annual incomes less than $12,000. Mercy Housing’s 205 Jones Street Apartments was constructed in 1920 and serves residents who earn 50-60% of the area median income.
More than 900 organizations now partner with DOE in Better Buildings and have saved more than $3 billion in energy costs to-date. Through Better Buildings, DOE and HUD partner with leaders in the public and private sectors to make the nation’s homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants more energy-efficient by accelerating investment and sharing of successful best practices. Greater efficiency saves billions of dollars on energy bills, reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and creates jobs.
Discover more than 1,500 proven solutions in the Better Buildings Solution Center. View the recap and photos from the event on the Beat Blog.