Energy Improvements for Senior and Disabled Housing in Bountiful, Utah

Energy Improvements for Senior and Disabled Housing in Bountiful, Utah

In the past, controlling the heating and cooling of the 19,000 square foot Meadows East apartment complex has been difficult due to the wide seasonal temperature variation. Residents in the 24 unit senior and disabled housing frequently reported they were either too cold or too hot. The newly designed and installed four-pipe, energy efficient delivery system makes it possible for temperatures to the 24 units in the development to be more precisely controlled, providing added comfort to the residents. It is also expected Davis Community Housing Authority (DCHA) will gain cost savings as they will be able to more accurately provide heating and cooling, and reduce energy waste. Energy Savings is anticipated to be fifteen percent of the previous annual energy cost. System maintenance time and cost is expected to be reduced because of new electronic system monitoring and reporting of all working components.

Madge, a senior resident of Meadows East has lived there for two years. "When I first came here, they had a problem with the heat and the cold, but I worked that out, I could open the window or do something to make myself comfortable. Now they did this new work in the building and I am comfortable these last few months. I am happy to be able to live here and be around the people I am."

Meadows East apartments are owned and managed by DCHA. The Meadows East apartment complex energy efficiency retrofit cost $406,296 and was facilitated by a $302,492 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) grant awarded in March 2009. To complete the project, DCHA retained the services of an engineering firm. Because of the ARRA funded project, the engineering firm was able to keep one of their mechanical engineers employed. Six full-time employees were used over three months to complete the project for a total of 3,000 contractor hours of work. The Meadows East apartments are located at 313 East, 1450 North in Bountiful, Utah.