The NH Housing Finance Authority in Bedford invested $5.9 million in energy efficient retrofits for 28 apartment complexes and multi-family homes with more than 1,000 units of affordable housing throughout the state. Participating property owners and managers had to rent units at affordable rates for at least 20 years. And, at least half of the building’s units must be rented to tenants with household earnings of less than 60 percent of median area income, though many buildings had a higher percentage of low-income residents.
Improvements, made mostly in 2012 and 2013, included energy-efficient lighting, Energy Star appliances, insulation, and heating and hot water system upgrades. What do those savings look like
• $430,000 in operating costs savings, a 36% drop and an average of $400 per unit;
• More than 1 million kilowatts of electricity saved;
• Carbon dioxide reductions equivalent to taking 823 cars off the road for one year;
• Reduced fossil fuel consumption by 3,953 metric tons.
Case Study: Cedar House, Manchester
This former school is now senior housing for tenants with household earnings below 50 percent of median annual income. Improvements included attic insulation and air sealing, more efficient lighting, boiler and domestic hot water system replacements, Energy Star appliances, and heat recovery systems.
Savings: 69 percent reduction in operating expenses, or $26,910 in reduced heating and electricity costs per year.
Current Issue - April 2024