Net Zero Ready Deep Energy Retrofits for Seniors Residence: Repurposing abandoned schools in communities to create affordable housing

In this community, seniors are being priced out of the housing market. This housing project converts an abandoned school into a seniors residence which offers the seniors in the community affordable housing. EVNA Engineering worked with the project owner in a workshop setting designed to consider energy conservation measures. The design team was interested in creating a structure that was net-zero ready while following principles of passive housing design. Three key areas of improvement were identified:

1. High performance envelope from reduced window to wall ratio, reduced thermal bridging and penetrations and higher thermal performance
2. Mechanical design improvements lead to better sized mechanical equipment with higher efficiency ratings
3. Solar generation through effective use of rooftop and ground mount arrays

High performance envelope and mechanical design combined with renewable solar energy is a pathway to net zero ready!

— CLIENT VALUE