LANCASTER, OH - Pearl House, a new supportive living development in downtown Lancaster, Ohio, serving families facing homelessness and recovering from substance abuse, has earned Enterprise Green Communities and EPA ENERGY STAR v3 certification, for outstanding energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Sol design + consulting, Cincinnati, Ohio, provided energy performance consulting and green building certification services for the 21-unit building, developed by Fairfield Homes/Gorsuch Construction & Management, the Recovery Center, and CAP Commission of Lancaster-Fairfield County Area, and designed by Kontogiannis and Associates.
Enterprise Green Communities certification recognizes green building strategy and implementation for affordable housing projects.
ENERGY STAR for Homes v3 sets very stringent standards for envelope performance, minimization of air infiltration, duct sealing and HVAC system design, installation and testing. ENERGY STAR v3 certification verifies exceptional home energy performance.
Green building features that helped Pearl House achieve Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR V3 certifications:
- Pearl House is built on a previously developed urban site, within a short walk of a grocery store, park, school, bank, retail shops and family restaurants.
- 2x6 wall construction accommodates enhanced insulation; windows meet ENERGY STAR performance criteria.
- The apartments have high-efficiency split system ductless heat pump/AC systems.
- The apartments come with ENERGY STAR appliances, lighting and exhaust fans. Clothes washers in the shared laundry space and all exterior and common area lighting is ENERGY STAR.
- Plumbing fixtures are high efficiency water conserving models.
- The building incorporates high-recycled content concrete, roofing and wall sheathing.
- FloorScore flooring, low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives contribute to healthy indoor air quality for residents, as does a strict no-smoking policy.
- Landscaping is drought-resistant and hardy native and adapted plants, requiring less care and no permanent irrigation.
- On-site recycling storage area for residents and staff.
Pearl House provides the community 21 fully furnished two-bedroom family units in a 3-story, 49,200 square foot building that includes community space, laundry facilities, on-site case management offices, a fitness room and outdoor recreational space for children and parents. It’s a safe, stable, supportive and healthy environment designed to help families remain intact and focus on successful recovery together.
About Sol design + consulting: Sol design + consulting provides green building certification services for developers, owners and architects. Certification programs include LEED, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities, NAHB National Green Building Standard, Passive House, Net-Zero Energy Building and other state and local sustainability programs. What sets Sol apart is 25 years of professional design and construction experience they bring to green building consulting. The company has certified over 100 projects in 15 states and is working on its first international projects. More on Sol at: www.soldesignconsulting.com