The Moving Forward initiative is a special pilot program designed by IHCDA to increase the sustainability and overall energy efficiency of low-income housing built in Indiana. The main goal is to lower the costs of housing and transportation to such families and individuals in the workforce population. This project provided a 36-unit apartment building with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Applied provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology design services to create a net zero facility.
To achieve net zero, Applied integrated energy savings strategies including geothermal heat pumps with a vertical well-field; rainwater harvesting for irrigation use; occupancy sensors controlling lights and HVAC; window contacts to disable HVAC when in use; energy recovery of building exhaust to pre-treat outside air; heat pump hot water heaters; LED lighting; and solar and energy storage. The development will be heavily integrated with solar and energy storage devices through a potential partnership with Duke Energy. Building and carport roofs are covered with solar panels.
The project came in over budget once bids were received, and many of the net zero aspects of the MEP design were removed except for the heat pump hot water heaters, rainwater harvesting, and the solar arrays.
