SYSTEMS ENERGY EFFICIENCY Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Most HVAC is achieved with the expenditure of a great deal of power and the use of ozone-depleting coolants such as freon. Ground Source puts typical systems to shame, using only pumps, fans and water to maintain comfortable interior temperatures. According to the EPA, it is the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective system available. The system works by borrowing the constant temperature of the earth (~55 F) by way of a series of thirty-two, 520 foot deep wells. Water is sent in pipes down the wells in a closed loop, then circulated to the equipment in your apartment. In summer, air is blown over the coil for cooling. In winter, the coil’s temperature is boosted with a hot water heater. By using Ground Source in this building we have accomplished a benefit equivalent, in greenhouse gas reduction, to the conservation of 20 acres of forest. Elevator We have installed a Kone gearless traction Eco-disk elevator. The most energy-saving kind available, it also requires no hydraulic fluid or oil. Light Fixtures All light fixtures in the building are high-efficiency, made locally and supplied with fluorescent bulbs.. Appliances All kitchen appliances are Energy Star rated by the EPA. WATER CONSERVATION Storm Water Management (SWM) Most properties contribute excess rainwater from their sites directly to the City’s storm water system; collectively, this runoff is a major source of water-born pollution. The “first flush” of rain picks up whatever is on the ground (motor oil, gas, dust, fertilizer, etc) and carries it into the storm system, which discharges into our waterways. Even worse, a heavy or extended rain will cause the city’s storm system to overflow and combine with the Sewer system; if storage capacity is exceeded, sewage treatment plants are forced to release untreated solid waste directly into our streams and rivers. Our system is different. We are handling all storm water on site. Every drop of rain on our property is directed to the Green Roof and the Bioretention areas of the Courtyard, which are beautifully landscaped with thirsty vegetation. Trees and plants chosen because they actually benefit from pollutive elements absorb 99% of the runoff and filter water-borne pollution from the rest (if any) before it is contributed to the ciy's storm system. Thus, the water contributed is clean, and comes well after the damaging first flush. ELEVATION 314 is the first building in Washington, DC that uses a Green Roof as a working part of its SWM system. Irrigation The courtyard will be irrigated with an underground drip-irrigation system. This system is the most efficient because it loses almost no water to evaporation, and delivers the water to where it is needed most, the plant's roots. Toilets Every bathroom in the building is equipped with a Flapperless toilet. These toilets are low-volume, and function without the part that fails most over time - the flapper. Therefore, leaks are far less common. SOUND PROOFING Throughout the design and development process we were keenly aware of acoustic issues, and worded with the finest acoustic engineers in Washington. First, we developed the courtyard plan to provide quiet to all adjacent living spaces. Only hallways and service spaces abut the train tracks. These stop the sound from reaching the courtyard and the living spaces of the units. In addition, we used extensive sound separation construction between all units. The result is quiet apartments that far exceed acoustic standards for comfort.