Showcase Project: Warwick SRO
Sector Type
Multifamily
Location
Newport News, VirginiaProject Size
40,000 Square Feet
Financial Overview
Project Cost $9,060,000
Annual Energy Use
(Source EUI)
Baseline (2011)
129 kBtu/sq.ft.
Actual (2013)
67 kBtu/sq.ft.
Energy Savings:
48%
Annual Energy Cost
Baseline (2011)
$105,000
Actual (2013)
$62,000
Cost Savings:
$43,000
Background
The Warwick is an historic, four-story brick façade structure originally constructed in 1883. Fire destroyed most of the original structure in 1960. The first renovation, an adaptive re-use, was performed in 1995. CHP transformed the remaining structure into permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals. The Warwick single-room occupancy (SRO) facility contains 88 units. Shared spaces include the lobby, offices for staff, group therapy space, two community resident lounges, computer lab, and laundry facilities.
MoreThe Warwick has been continuously occupied by 88 formerly homeless individuals since 1995 and was sorely in need of renovation and energy efficiency upgrades. Prior to renovation, the facility had an aged gas boiler; standard electric water heaters; no fresh air system for common areas or individual efficiency units; appliances/refrigerators were not ENERGY STAR® rated; and the windows and walls leaked both air and water. High utility bills were problematic for the owner due to the rental subsidy restrictions which limited operating funds.
Less Solutions
The renovation of the Warwick included measures required to obtain EarthCraft multifamily certification of the building. Not only did CHP prioritize measures that reduce energy consumption, indoor air quality was also given significant attention to improve the health and safety of residents. The full retrofit took more than a year included the following upgrades and additions:
- Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and cooling system
- Energy Recovery Ventilator(ERV) fresh air for each unit and all common areas
- High efficiency water heaters
- Energy Star light fixtures, dishwashers, refrigerators
- New Energy Star windows
- New window lintels and brick work at windows
Other Benefits
As the Warwick serves formerly homeless individuals, providing a clean, modern, comfortable, and secure space is an extraordinarily meaningful improvement for the residents. Since the property is master-metered, the residents see no direct reduction in living costs from utility savings, but CHP is able to reinvest the money saved on utilities into resident services programs ranging from employment assistance to substance abuse counseling. Also, by creating a space with few VOCs and well-calibrated ventilation, CHP is providing a healthier space for residents to live and breathe, resulting in fewer respiratory issues and other negative health impacts caused by unhealthy housing.
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