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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 1998, Solarex and the Photovoltaic Services Network installed a 1600W photovoltaic system using Solarex Millennia solar electric panels. These panels are 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.

These solar panels use a technology called photovoltaics, or PV, which is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity. The 1600-watt PV system was installed on the south-facing roof of the ECR and will 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.

The PV system is supported under Solarex's PV-Value (Photovoltaic Vendor Assisted Low-Cost Utility Enterprise) and is part of Solarex's commitment to accelerate acceptance of solar power in the residential, rooftop market. Electricity produced by the solar panels reduces consumption from the local utility, resulting in lower electric bills. The program was awarded a Department of Energy grant through the Utility PhotoVoltaic Group.

PV-VALUE systems are packaged system kits designed to meet different consumer requirements and range in size from 1.2 to 2.0 kilowatts. Based upon emission rates, it is estimated that the PV system will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5,500 pounds per year, sulfur dioxide emissions by roughly 15 pounds per year, and emissions of nitrogen oxides by approximately 20 pounds per year. The ECR PV system installation illustrates both the economic and environmental benefits of rooftop photovoltaics.

McStain Enterprises selected the ECR as a winner of its 1997 Corporate Grant Program and awarded $3,500 toward installation of the solar facility.

Roof Replacement

In 1998, the ECR replaced the old wood-shake roof with simulated cedar shakes made from post-industrial waste feedstocks. The ECR was the first commercial site in Colorado to install the 50-year Eco-shake made from 100% recycled garden hose manufacturing waste. The product has the highest Underwriter Laboratory hail resistance rating and was extensively tested for wind, fire, hail, and UV resistance. The Boulder-approved roofing material has a Class A fire rating.