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22 July 2011
In 2005 when the Chestnut Street Manor was completed, the Design-Build firm, CSR Group, the developer and architect of the project made some decisions that today have stood the test of time relative to material choices and energy management. The 7 unit condominium was designed with energy and owner savings in mind.
The building was designed with a white EPDM roof to reduce energy loads on the footprint, R-26 full blown in cellulose insulation at the perimeter walls and a full radiant floor heating system operated by gas fired 92% efficient wall-hung boilers. In addition electric water heaters were used with excellent heat recovery and were individually metered for full tenant control.
Today after 6 years of operation, we are very pleased with the results said Leon Cohen, AIA, Executive V.P. of the CSR Group and also the Managing Principal of AltEnergy Group, LLC. During the last board meeting we have decided to reduce the common area maintenance charges because our winter heating bills are much less that we anticipated. It cost an owner in that building $ 290.00 per month in CAM charges, which includes all of the common areas maintenance and unit insurance costs. When we mean all, we include cleaning, landscaping, heating and electricity and fire alarms for the common hallways in the building. To put that into perspective from an energy point of view tenants are paying about, $ 50 to $65 per month to heat the condo space they own. The units are approximately 1,100 SQ FT. Air Conditioning costs are individually maintained by the owners of their respective units and manage their own summer bills.
It’s great to know that in these times of uncertainty and high energy costs, this building is reducing the carbon footprint and also is operating at great efficiency. “The lessons we learned from this project will certainly enable us to be improve on these standards for future projects.”
