Channel Square Apartments

Background

Channel Square Apartments is a 223 unit apartment community located in Southwest Washington, D.C.—just 4 blocks from public transportation and the Waterfront Metro Station and half of a mile from the U.S. Capitol. Channel Square Apartments was originally constructed in 1968. In 2013 the property was acquired by the National Housing Trust/Enterprise Preservation Corporation, in partnership with Somerset Development Company and the Jonathan Rose Companies. Moderate rehabilitation has been performed over the last 4 decades, but significant repairs are now needed to modernize the buildings. Through the Channel Renovation Project, NHT/Enterprise’s goal is to maximize the affordability of its apartments for the long-term, while maintaining the highest standard of living for residents.

The organization worked with the tenant association to impose an affordability covenant on the property. The covenant states that two-thirds of the apartments must remain income restricted to low-income households, including Section 8 voucher holders and residents with annual incomes below 80% of area median income. The remaining one-third of the apartments are allowed to be market rate, but will continue to operate under D.C. rent control regulations.

NHT/Enterprise is proceeding with the Channel Renovation Project in two phases:

Phase I upgrades are focused on system improvements to maximize energy and water savings.
Phase II incorporates comprehensive building system modernization with some cosmetic upgrades and deep energy and water retrofits, including the addition of a solar system.

Solutions

NHT/Enterprise recognized the value of partnering with District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) to help offset some of the initial upgrade costs. DCSEU committed nearly $95,000 in rebates for items contained in the Phase I Upgrade Scope. The water and energy focused scope includes of upgrading the boilers, installing low-flow showerheads and aerators, and upgrading lighting. It is expected that these initial upgrades will result in a 20% reduction in utilities costs, or approximately $108,500 annually.

Phase I Upgrades

Low-flow showerheads
Low-flow aerators in faucets
Central plant boiler and hotwater heater upgrade
Variable frequency drives (VFD's) and controls
Exterior lighting upgrades
Securing 100% Wind Power for all electricity used by the building

Phase II Upgrades

Window and sliding door replace
Low flow toilets
Solar hot water and photovoltaic systems
Convector unit replacement
Add economizer to rooftop air handler
Replace dampers
Insulate exterior walls and ceilings
Air sealing measures

ANNUAL ENERGY USE

(Source EUI)

ANNUAL ENERGY COST

ANNUAL WATER USE

ANNUAL WATER COST

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY USE

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY COST

IN BUILDING ENERGY USE

IN BUILDING ENERGY COST

ACROSS NETWORK USE

ACROSS NETWORK COST

ANNUAL EMISSIONS

USE

COST

Channel Square Apartments exterior

Channel Square Apartments rooftop solar

Channel Square Apartments

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Channel Square Apartments exterior

Channel Square Apartments rooftop solar