Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Richmond Region Energy Alliance



Richmond Region Energy Alliance (RREA) formed in 2010 to break down the barriers to residential energy efficiency and renewable, sustainable energy. Many homeowners do not know how to improve the comfort of their home, lower their energy bills, or reduce their carbon footprint. RREA is the local Richmond solution, a one-stop non-profit energy coach where people can go for objective advice on clean energy and energy efficiency solutions.

The SolarizeRVA program makes solar purchasing simple and affordable for homes and businesses and offers community-wide group purchasing and marketing to reduce costs, as well as pre-qualifies solar contractors.

Home energy check-ups are provided by certified energy advisors who can even install on-the-spot savings measures. RREA's partnership with Secure Futures provides no-cost solar for schools, universities, churches, local government, hospitals and non-profits.

From 2013 to 2016, RREA was the local partner for Dominion’s Home Energy Check-Up program. Through this program, they provided recommendations and install energy efficiency upgrades at no cost for 242 homeowners.

Also, RREA is a sponsor of Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES), helping homeowners identify qualified contractors and access rebates and financing to make home energy improvements that increase the comfort, safety, and health of their home, while improving their carbon footprint.

For more information visit http://www.rrea-va.org.




Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Public Works Building Receives LEED Certification

 The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has granted LEED Certification to City of Richmond Department of Public Works' Commerce Road Building 1 at 1654 Commerce Road.

The building has been designated silver certification under the LEED 2009 New Construction and Major Renovations rating system. The construction was part of the Parker Field Redevelopment Project, in which all buildings and employees at Parker Field's DPW offices were relocated.

Seven categories comprise the overall USGBC rating criteria: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation and design, regional priority credits. Of the available 108 points, 52 were attempted and 53 were awarded. Silver certification is granted at 50 points.

Commerce Road Building 1 was recognized in several areas, including: water efficient landscaping, indoor air quality plan during construction and before occupancy, control of system lighting and thermal comfort, bicycle storage and changing room.

According to the Council, LEED certification “identifies your building as a showcase example of sustainability and demonstrates your leadership in transforming the building industry.”

The Council is now encouraging the city to share the work with the growing green community. Making the project public would put the Commerce Road building in the Council’s LEED project directory. Such projects are also eligible for additional marketing and promotional campaigns.

The Commerce Road Building 1 houses the administrative offices for the department’s Operations Division.