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 coolants such as freon, which are ozone depleters. Ground Source puts typical systems to shame, using only pumps, fans and water. 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 the equivalent benefit, in greenhouse gas reduction, as saving 20 acres of forest. Elevator We have installed a Kone gearless traction Eco-disk. This elevator is 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, and made locally. Appliances All kitchen appliances are Energy Star rated by the EPA. WATER CONSERVATION Storm Water Management (SWM) Most properties contribute their site runoff directly to the City’s storm water system, which is a major source of water-born pollution. The “first flush” of rain picks up whatever is laying on the ground (car oil, gas, dust, fertilizer, etc.) and contributes it to the storm system, which discharges into our waterways. Even worse, a large storm will cause the city’s storm system to overflow and combine with the Sewer system – which can result in sewage treatment plants directly releasing solid waste 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. The courtyard is beautifully landscaped with trees and plants that are thirsty, and that actually like a lot of the pollution in the runoff. The water is filtered by the plants and soil, before being contributed, if at all, to the city'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.