BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — Siemens has begun work on a second phase of infrastructure improvements at Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (YMHA) in Ohio. Since its implementation in 2008, Phase 1 of the project has saved the YMHA several million dollars. Phase 2 will provide energy efficiency upgrades to more than 500 units in five developments, and builds on the success of Phase I by providing the Authority an additional $100,000 per year in savings. The Authority expects to save more than $500,000 annually in combined savings for the two-phase project. The project is part of a comprehensive modernization plan for close to 50% of the Authority’s portfolio of housing units.
Phase 2 of the infrastructure modernization project, which is valued at almost $4 million, is expected to be completed in 2015. Energy efficiency components for this phase will include lighting retrofits, upgraded apartment temperature controls, energy efficient refrigerators, furnace replacements, energy-efficient domestic hot water heater replacements, building envelope improvements, and vending miser systems. In addition to helping YMHA meet its energy efficiency and sustainability goals, the improvements implemented will also allow the organization to provide a more comfortable environment for residents.
“The energy performance contract with Siemens assists YMHA to address the challenge of providing more energy proficiency to our older housing stock,” says Carmelita Douglas, Executive Director, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority. “Based on the success of the first phase, it only made good financial sense to extend our contract.”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development energy performance contract program provides incentives to public housing authorities across the country to implement energy and water savings improvements to their housing units. By leveraging energy performance contracting, this cost-effective solution pays for infrastructure upgrades with guaranteed energy savings over time.
The YMHA’s portfolio of more than 1,200 public housing units are mostly concentrated in Youngstown, with some units also scattered throughout Mahoning County. Established in the early 1930s, the YMHA is one of the first housing authorities in the U.S.
“Siemens works closely with our customers to make sure that each phase of a project meets operational and sustainability goals. Our success with YMHA is a testament to this collaborative approach,” says Dave Hopping, President of Siemens’ North American-based Building Technologies Division. “We are proud of what we accomplished for YMHA through Phase 1 of our performance contract and excited to begin Phase 2.”
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