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The Atmosphere Conservancy (TAC), working in partnership with the Fort Collins Housing Authority, has overseen the installation of over $260,750 worth of renewable energy equipment on the 80-unit affordable housing apartment complex in downtown Fort Collins. The Villages on Stanford is undergoing an extensive renovation and comprehensive energy retrofit, and is on track to become one of the most energy-efficient apartment buildings in the nation. Thanks to private donations and grants from the Governors Energy Office, TAC has successfully completed the work that brings the power of the sun to all the tenants at this affordable housing complex in Fort Collins. Improvements to the building envelope include all new energy efficient windows and doors, new R-24 wall insulation with R-50 in the ceiling. Each of the 80 affordably priced units are equipped with Energy Star appliances, compact florescent light bulbs, and several have solar light tubes to provide natural day lighting. The entire complex is heated with 90% energy efficient boilers which back up the solar hot water system on cloudy days. A solar powered zero-energy Club House building, heated by a geothermal heat pump, provides common space for social and educational events. The Atmosphere Conservancy has worked to integrate multiple renewable energy technologies into the buildings' energy efficient design. This has created a state of the art facility which has provided a benchmark for the affordable housing sector. Two separate solar thermal arrays provide 1,260,000 BTU's of hot water daily to the buildings residents, preventing over 24 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere annually. Cost savings in the amount of over $4,000 per year allow the Housing Authority to dedicate those funds to providing more services to low-income individuals. A fifteen Kilowatt solar-electric, photovoltaic (PV) array mounted on the complexes' carport keeps another 21.5 tons of carbon dioxide from spewing into the atmosphere annually, and results in another $1,800 per year of cost savings. Over a twenty year period the systems will prevent well over a thousand metric tons of greenhouse gasses from being released, and save over $118,000. During this economic downturn this project has created or retained some 20 or more local jobs, while providing upgraded housing for 80 deserving families & individuals. TAC is a non-profit dedicated to providing logistical, technical and financial support for similar projects involving schools, non-profits, and affordable housing developments in Northern Colorado. TAC believes that renewable energy technologies, combined with energy efficiency, has the potential to address the planetary threats posed by climate change, while creating jobs needed to turn around the local, state and national economy. Alex Blackmer |