UA Housing plans for 'green' dorms
Pamela Acosta
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
One of the renovations is a scald-guard valve to control the pressure in the showers to remove the inconvenience of the scalding-hot water when someone flushes the toilet. Also, the change to green-tip fluorescent lamps reduces the mercury in landfills.
Other housing initiatives include the discontinuation of alkaline powered smoke detectors, recycled nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, conversion to a 40-year warranty shingle with a 110 mph wind-rating in Holcombe and incorporating an integrated pest control management system.
The cost difference was minimal, Hume said.
One possible reason many college and university officials retract from building green is because of the cost.
But other officials said the upfront cost is worth the gain later.
A standard building would need repairs in 15 years, whereas a green building is expected to last twice as long, according to an article about Rubloff Hall at Saint Xavier University.
The building also saves energy costs in the long run, according to the article. A traditional building would cost $90,000 per year for energy, but annual costs at Rubloff Hall will cost less than $60,000.
At Tufts University in Somerville, Mass., a 62,000 square-foot green building is expected to use 30 percent less energy and 30 percent less water, according to the school's Web site.
"The cost might be higher, but over time, costs will be less," Hume said.
The savings for Maple Hill are still uncertain, Hume said. Once the building has been under a measurable level, usually a year, the cost will be clearer. But with a life expectancy of 75 years, the building is expected to have substantial savings, Hume said.
As new dorms are constructed, UA Housing officials look at the options and learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of building green, Hume said.
"It's not going to be a radical change; it's going to be a conscious, learned approach," he said. "I'm a firm believer that right decisions can be made at the wrong times."
Other housing initiatives include the discontinuation of alkaline powered smoke detectors, recycled nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, conversion to a 40-year warranty shingle with a 110 mph wind-rating in Holcombe and incorporating an integrated pest control management system.
The cost difference was minimal, Hume said.
One possible reason many college and university officials retract from building green is because of the cost.
But other officials said the upfront cost is worth the gain later.
A standard building would need repairs in 15 years, whereas a green building is expected to last twice as long, according to an article about Rubloff Hall at Saint Xavier University.
The building also saves energy costs in the long run, according to the article. A traditional building would cost $90,000 per year for energy, but annual costs at Rubloff Hall will cost less than $60,000.
At Tufts University in Somerville, Mass., a 62,000 square-foot green building is expected to use 30 percent less energy and 30 percent less water, according to the school's Web site.
"The cost might be higher, but over time, costs will be less," Hume said.
The savings for Maple Hill are still uncertain, Hume said. Once the building has been under a measurable level, usually a year, the cost will be clearer. But with a life expectancy of 75 years, the building is expected to have substantial savings, Hume said.
As new dorms are constructed, UA Housing officials look at the options and learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of building green, Hume said.
"It's not going to be a radical change; it's going to be a conscious, learned approach," he said. "I'm a firm believer that right decisions can be made at the wrong times."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Gwen Leger
posted 3/08/07 @ 8:44 PM EST
Matt -- I love that you are finally being published! I still think that you need more quotes!!
Leger
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