Siemens has begun work on a second phase of infrastructure improvements at Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (YMHA) in Ohio. Since its implementation in 2008, Phase 1 of the project has saved the YMHA several million dollars. Phase 2 will provide energy efficiency upgrades to more than 500 units in five developments, and builds on the success of Phase I by providing the housing authority an additional $100,000 per year in savings. YMHA expects to save more than $500,000 annually in combined savings for the two-phase project.
Phase 2, which is valued at almost $4 million, is expected to be completed in 2015. Energy efficiency components for this phase will include lighting retrofits, upgraded apartment temperature controls, energy efficient refrigerators, furnace replacements, energy-efficient domestic hot water heater replacements, building envelope improvements and vending miser systems.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development energy performance contract program provides incentives to public housing authorities, such as YMHA, to implement energy and water savings improvements to their housing units.