Solar panels: There are 192 photovoltaic panels on the center’s roof that will produce an estimated 37,257 kilowatt hours per year of energy at a value of $2,831 per year. Panels also are located on some of the parking lot street lamps.
Rainwater harvest system: The building gutter system can collect and route to collection tanks a maximum of 5,000 gallons of nonpotable rainwater. The water is then treated and used in toilets and other nonpotable water devices. This system helps the center achieve two water efficiency credits toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certification: One for Innovative Wastewater Technologies and the other Water Use Reduction.
Storm-water runoff management:
- The northeast parking lot consists of porous asphalt, which allows rainwater to be naturally filtered of sediment and absorbed into the soil in an otherwise impervious 1.2-acre area.
- Four large rain gardens on the outside edges of the pavement will help absorb and filter rainwater, prevent flooding and reduce pollution of nearby rivers and streams due to storm-water runoff by 30 percent.
Recycled glass in concrete: Concrete around the building includes recycled green glass, replacing 15 percent of the original cement. The substitution strengthens the concrete while repurposing the glass.
Energy recovery ventilators system: Conditioned air exhausted from the restrooms powers the ERV system to help cool incoming fresh outdoor air. This reduces the cost to otherwise cool or heat the fresh air. This practice also helps eliminate ozone-depleting refrigerants in the air conditioning systems.
Ceiling fans: High-volume/low-speed fans are designed to move a very large volume of air at low speeds, saving energy. They produce a breeze large enough to lower the temperature 8 to 16 degrees in the summer. In the winter, since warm air rises, they help circulate air, reducing heating bills by 25 percent or more. They range from eight to 12 feet in diameter (compared to the average four-foot home ceiling fan). The fans are also tied into the building management system, which allows them to be set on a schedule so they are only on when necessary.
Paints, adhesives, carpeting and interior furnishings: All paints, adhesives, carpeting and interior furnishings in the center meet LEED standards by having low or no volatile organic compounds.
Enviroglas countertops: The conference table and some countertops are constructed with 100 percent recycled glass, giving them the appearance and durability of granite. They are free of volatile organic compounds and don’t require the removal of granite from the earth through mining practices.
Wood products: The facility was constructed using wood products produced under Forest Stewardship Council principles.
Energy savings: Many of the above systems will also help achieve more than 50 percent energy cost savings over the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers baseline. Additional features that will achieve energy savings include: Motion sensors in high-traffic areas to control lighting, broad use of natural day lighting due to large number of windows in facility, and low-flow fixtures to decrease water and energy use in restrooms.
Snowmelt system: Glycol-filled heat tubes under the concrete will help keep the outside handicap walkways drier and safer during the winter by decreasing ice accumulation.
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