Revitalizing Huron Plaza Apartments through equipment upgrades
Huron Plaza Apartments is a 64-unit affordable housing property located in Huron, California, built in 1983 and spread across 16 buildings.
The deed-restricted property is owned and operated by two developers: Affordable Housing Development Corporation (AHDC), a nonprofit focused on high-quality, community-centered affordable housing across the western US, and Forward Housing, a developer with a focus on the preservation and rehabilitation of affordable housing nationwide.
During a planned renovation, the developers looked for ways to make deeper upgrades to improve long-term efficiency and reduce costs for both the property and its residents. Working with Multifamily Energy Savings, they were able to identify upgrade opportunities such as older single-pane windows, poor insulation, and aging systems, all of which drove up energy use, operating expenses, and maintenance needs.
By leveraging Multifamily Energy Savings, the developers qualified for incentives and were able to complement the existing renovation work, lower upfront costs, and complete comprehensive upgrades. They then reinvested those savings into other planned property improvements.
From eligibility to implementation
After the property owners enrolled in Multifamily Energy Savings, an initial review confirmed eligibility. Within a few weeks, program energy advisor John Burdick conducted an energy audit and a customer consultation to review potential incentives and upgrade options. This step identified several opportunities to integrate incentives into the larger renovation project and leverage financial support to implement additional property upgrades. In addition to helping offset equipment and installation costs, ancillary expenses, such as permits and fees, were covered and helped reduce overall project costs.
“We chose to participate in Multifamily Energy Savings to enhance long-term property performance while directly improving the quality of life for our residents.”
— James Burris, Regional Property and Maintenance Manager, WinnCompanies
Key equipment upgrades improve resident comfort and building performance
Multifamily Energy Savings was able to offer incentives for upgrades across both common areas and resident units. Common area upgrades covered by the program included new LED lighting, improved attic, roof and pipe insulation, and window retrofits.
For in-unit, covered upgrades included door replacement, door weatherstripping, caulking, interior wall repairs, and smart thermostats to make residents more comfortable in their homes. “These improvements go beyond energy savings, they help lower utility costs for residents while making homes more comfortable year-round, from hot summers to cold winters,” noted Burdick.
New windows installed
Before the renovation, staff had constant maintenance demands on their hands, including having to remove water from units and repairing damage to walls and ceilings caused by roof leaks. The comprehensive retrofits, many of which were covered by the program, have resulted in fewer maintenance issues across the property.
“By investing in energy efficiency, we’re reducing operating costs while increasing system reliability,” said James Burris, regional property and maintenance manager for WinnCompanies, Huron Plaza Apartments’ management company.
Before & After: LED Parking Light Fixture
Before & After: Thermostat
Common Area Upgrades:
In-Unit Upgrades:
Energy and cost savings through incentives
The project received over $500,000 in incentives, covering approximately 96% of common area upgrade costs. In-unit upgrades were provided at no cost. The property is expected to achieve nearly $32,000 in annual cost savings on their utility bills with the new equipment.
The project is estimated to save over 62,000 kilowatt hours and nearly 5,800 therms annually. This is equivalent to taking 15 gasoline-powered cars off the road each year.
For AHDC, working with Multifamily Energy Savings illustrates what’s possible when the right partners and resources come together to not only improve property performance but provide a better place to live for residents.
“We chose to participate in Multifamily Energy Savings to directly improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Senior Asset & Project Manager Nia Stockbridge, AHDC.
“By investing in energy efficiency, we’re reducing operating costs, increasing system reliability and creating more comfortable, sustainable homes for the families we serve.”
— Nia Stockbridge, Senior Asset & Project Manager, AHDC
Multifamily Energy Savings offers incentives and no-cost technical assistance, including support for non–deed restricted properties through program layering. Submit an interest form to learn how your property may qualify.
Want to learn more about this project and see how Multifamily Energy Savings can help support your own property? Watch the webinar here.
