May 7th, 2009
Here every day is a Sun-day
Courtesy: Wakeland Housing.
A newly opened San Diego housing complex is certified to be the most energy efficient in the U.S. Built in Chula Vista for under $18-million, the 42-unit housing development is 100% solar-powered. It’s called Los Vecinos. The units are for low and moderate income residents.
The building was redesigned and remodelled by Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. The structure had been a motel, then an abandoned building used by squatters. It has green features beyond the rooftop solar panels. There’s heavy use of ceiling fans and natural ventilation. No air conditioning, despite beikng in San Diego. Tankless hot water heaters, Energy Star appliances and high-efficacy lighting fixtures will keep energy costs to a minimum. Landscaping and irrigation techniques and low-flow fixtures will minimize water use.
One important factor: Wakeland is a non-profit organization. They weren’t in this to swell their quarterly earnings or jack up the CEO’s bonus.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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