Windham and Windsor Housing Trust committed to passive energy output
Joining the ranks of housing developments nationwide, the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust’s (WWHT) new housing development project, The Snow Block, will meet criteria from The Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) to obtain a passive building certification indicating that the building will require very little energy to heat and cool the interior. The PHIUS certification program is the leading passive building certification program in North America. The program combines a thorough passive house design verification protocol with stringent quality control performed onsite by skilled PHIUS professionals.
Director of Housing Development, Pete Paggi, is excited about the project, mainly because of its benefit to their residents. “This certification is so important for the environment but also for the people who will be living in the Snow Block,” Paggi explained. “It ties the energy efficiency of the building to resident comfort and health, which is a key component for our goal of an inclusive and universal design.”
The Snow Block will provide 23 one and two bedroom apartments to residents with income levels up to $63,072 for a two-person household. The project is named after WWHT founder and former executive director, Connie Snow, whose leadership enabled the organization to thrive over a thirty year span, leaving a robust legacy.
Passive House requirements include specific criteria with regard to energy demand for space heating and cooling, dehumidification, hot water, airtightness, and thermal comfort in all living areas. All criteria are achieved through a rigorous design process using superior windows, ventilation, quality insulation and airtight construction. Additionally, the Snow Block will feature a solar photovoltaic array to help offset the energy use of the building. The project’s design and development team include Stevens & Associates, PC, John F. Penney Consulting Engineers, Dubois & King, Inc, Eco Houses of Vermont, and JD Kantor. ReArch Construction will oversee construction management services.
“Our commitment to energy efficiency is paramount when thinking about our building design,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Bridgewater. “These amenities, along with the convenience of downtown living, will be attractive to anyone seeking to lighten their step on the planet and simplify their life.”
Thanks to partnerships with the Vermont Housing Finance Authority, People’s Bank, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Efficiency Vermont, and the Windham Regional Commission, and Brattleboro Housing Partnerships, the Snow Block project will be able to break ground this fall. For information about any of WWHT’s apartments or to learn how to apply for housing, call (802) 254-4604.
