BUILDING RETROFIT
In the beginning, the building was two separate structures. The interior arcade of the Environmental
Center of the Rockies (ECR) was enclosed to form an airlock and prevent
heat loss; high performance glazed windows were installed; the traditional
constant volume ventilation system was converted to a variable air
volume system; and insulation was added to the attic. Natural light
is utilized wherever possible—ambient lighting levels were reduced
to 30 lumens with the use of indirect lighting—and the ambient
lighting fixtures are connected to daylight and motion sensors that
further conserve energy usage. These energy retrofits reduced energy
use by about 85% while the overall comfort of the building was greatly
enhanced.
Through WindSource, the ECR purchases 40 blocks of wind (4,000
kilowatt hours) per month, which accounts for a little over 50% of
total energy consumption.
The building renovation was designed by ENSAR Group of Boulder, recognized
internationally for their work. Contractors for the
remodel were Denver Construction Services, Inc., Masterplan Designs,
Inc., Clanton Engineering, Inc., and Engineering Economics, Inc.
Solar Panels
In 2008, Namaste Solar installed a new set of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the ECR, increasing the amount of solar energy generated at the building. Fifty-five new solar modules were installed, providing a generating capacity of 9.9KW of electricity. The array will produce 14061 kilowatt hours of energy per year, providing an annual CO2 emissions reduction of approximately 14 1/2 tons that is equal the carbon impact of eliminating almost 32,000 miles of driving or planting 1108 trees.
A 1600W photovoltaic system had been in operation since 1998, using
panels similar to the ones installed on the
coach house of the Colorado Governor's mansion - one of the first
solar electric installations in the state to jump start then-Governor
Roy Romer's challenge to install 1,000 solar systems in Colorado by
the year 2000.
Solar panels use a technology called photovoltaics, or PV, which
is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. Installed on the south-facing roof of the ECR, solar panels
provide a portion of the electrical needs of the building.
The system generates its own reliable, clean, and renewable energy.
When it generates more power than the building needs (i.e., on weekends),
it will feed excess electricity into the utility grid.
Roof Replacement
In 2008, the roof at the ECR was replaced with metal shingles, rated to last more than 50 years. The new roofing takes the place of simulated cedar shakes made from post-industrial waste feedstocks. The ECR was at the forefront of environmentally aware building design by being the first commercial site in Colorado to install the then high-tech Eco-shake made from 100% recycled garden hose manufacturing waste.
Other Building Modifications
The ECR building uses a number of other technical enhancements to reduce its resource consumption. Water-efficient low flush toilets have been installed. Lighting is on motion-sensitive timers to automatically turn off lights when they are not needed. The building's HVAC system is computer controlled to make it operate most efficiently. Building occupants share a common kitchen, copier and postage meter to reduce the number of appliances plugged-in. All of these measures add to the energy-saving design that is the corner stone of the Environmental Center of the Rockies.