Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
- Case study: Portland, Oregon, USA
The City of Portland developed guidelines for greening of affordable housing. The green
building criteria for affordable housing comprise the following guidelines: enhanced
design and site; energy conservation; water conservation; conserving materials and
resources; enhanced indoor air quality; and operations and maintenance. It also provides
estimations of construction cost increases where applicable.
• Enhanced site design, such as minimizing solar exposure in the winter and
maximizing solar exposure in the winter, reduces energy requirement.
• Energy conservation measures, such as improvements in the insulation
properties of the building envelope, reduce cooling requirements in the
summer and heating requirements in the winter.
• Renewable energy use, such as installing solar water heating systems and
purchasing green power from a local utility, reduces burning of fossil fuels
thereby reducing the emission of CO2, causing less ozone depletion and health
illnesses.
• Water conservation measures, such as water conserving plumbing fixtures and
using only native and low maintenance plant material, reduce demand for
water and the energy required to produce it.
• Conserving waste management and resources, such as building waste
management and recycling, reuses materials, reduce waste going to landfill
sites thereby reducing the emission of methane gas and its impact on global
warming.
• Enhanced indoor air quality measures, such as using solvent-free finishing and
fresh air ventilation, improve health and well being of occupants.
Source: Portland Development Commission and City of Portland Green Building Initiative.
Undated. Greening Portland’s Affordable Housing: Design and Construction Guidelines to
Improving Environmental Performance, Tenant Health, and Long-Term Durability in Affordable
Housing. http://www.sustainableportland.org/AHGuidelines.pdf.
For additional information, contact Portland Development Commission, Rental Housing
Development Program, 1900 SW 4 th Avenue, Suite 7000, Portland, Oregon, 97201. Tel: (508)
823-3200; fax: (503) 823-3368 or City of Portland Greening Building Initiative, 1221 SW 5 th
Avenue, Room 706, Portland, Oregon, 97204. Tel.: (503) 823-7725; fax: (503) 823-5370.
- Case study: Portland, OR, USA
The City of Portland provides comprehensive assistance to multi-family property owners
and managers to improve the resource efficiency of their properties. The Multifamily
Energy Savings Program connects property owners and managers with programs that
offer free energy audits, cash rebates, tax credits, and low-interest loans for efficiency
measures.
• Apartment residents have more comfortable homes and lower utility bills.
• Housing costs have been reduced.
• Property values have risen.
• Neighborhoods are more liveable.
• The program results in savings of 9.2 BTU's (British thermal unit) and
$162,500 (US) annually.
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