Denver Housing Authority (DHA) was named a 2023 Better Buildings Initiative Goal Achiever at the Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit. DHA was honored for being a leader in decarbonization, energy efficiency, water, and waste efficiency by using community solar in multifamily buildings.
“I am proud to see DHA recognized at the Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit for our energy efficiencies and savings,” Joaquín Cintrón Vega, chief executive officer said. “We constructed the nation’s first housing authority-developed, owned and operated low-income community solar garden with the goal to reduce energy and water usage across DHA’s properties.”
The U.S. Department of Energy challenged leading U.S. companies, manufacturers, universities, school districts, multifamily organizations, and state and local governments to take the Better Buildings Challenge. More than 300 organizations have taken the challenge to reduce energy use throughout their portfolios by at least 20% over 10 years. DHA reduced its energy usage across its portfolio by 22% from its 2010 baseline by the end of 2022, surpassing the Better Buildings Challenge goal of 20% in that time frame. Partners not only agree to share their annual progress, but also their solutions providing replicable models for others to follow. DHA stands as an example for its peers in the public and private sectors.
In the U.S., it costs $200 billion a year to power commercial buildings. On average 20-30% of the energy is wasted. By reducing the energy waste in buildings, DHA and others are helping to save money, create good jobs, and avoid significant emissions of CO2. DHA signed an EPC (Energy Performance Contract) with HUD to reduce energy and water usage, as well as costs on both fronts. This EPC is self-managed by DHA with the help of Group14 Engineering. Partners are sharing energy data for more than 40,000 properties across the country, saving on average more than 2% each year.
