Community HousingWorks' Kalos in San Diego earned Platinum certification under the LEED for Homes Midrise Pilot and is designed to perform 43 percent better than California’s Title 24 guidelines for energy efficiency.
The project utilized utility company rebates and incentives from San Diego Gas & Electric, California Solar Initiative, and the state’s New Solar Homes Partnership program. “Everyone has the idea that green is very expensive and adds to the construction costs,” says Sylvia Martinez, senior project manager for the nonprofit. “When we go into a green project, we want to make sure we’re doing things that make sense—rebates and incentives. Every single green thing we did pays off in 10 years or less.”
Residents living at Kalos benefit from Community HousingWorks' after-school programs and adult classes. Its Running Readers Program CHW’s helps children kindergarten through third grade learn to love reading and build the skills they need to read at grade level.
A 109 kV photovoltaic system provides virtually 100 percent of common area electricity, and a 50-collector domestic solar hot water system on the roof offsets 70 percent of tenant water and space heating costs.