This resource is available courtesy of DCSEU.
Learn about the deep energy retrofit project that allowed an affordable multifamily building in Washington DC improve building performance, decarbonize and reduce energy costs, and comply with BEPS through the Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator.
Watch the video below! You’ll see interviews with Rachel Cluett, Victory Housing, Linda Frasier, Victory Square resident, Nick Burger, DOEE, Doug Abott, DCSEU, and Mary Thomas, Building Innovation Hub.
Victory Square Senior Apartments
- Building Owner
- Victory Housing
- Building Type
- Senior Living Affordable Multifamily Housing
- Units
- 97 units (1 & 2 bedroom)
- Location
- Ward 7, Washington, DC
Project Scope & Timeline
-
2022
- ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit
-
2023
- Lighting retrofit
-
2025
- Common area temperature set points
- Low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads
- Load study conducted in preparation for electrification measures
-
2026
- Replaced aging HVAC and water heaters with new, more efficient all-electric systems (energy efficient heat pumps and heat pump water heaters) in both apartment units and common areas
- The scope included fuel switching the common area equipment from gas to electric systems
Why was this project done?
Victory Housing’s mission is to provide affordable homes for seniors and families. Energy efficiency and resilience are critical components of affordability. This was a key driver for the deep energy retrofit project completed at Victory Square Senior Apartments in Ward 7, Washington, DC. The equipment at this property was aging and nearing the end of its useful life, and Victory Housing sought to reduce energy costs for residents and improve reliability.
The building is also subject to the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) and needed to improve its ENERGY STAR score of 53 to above the multifamily BEPS standard of 66 to be in compliance with local regulations.
Project incentives and projected savings
Victory Square was able to enroll in the District’s Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator (AHRA) run by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU).
AHRA was started by the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) in partnership with the DCSEU to respond to a need around affordable housing and compliance with BEPS. The program offers enhanced technical and financial assistance to owners and managers of qualifying affordable multifamily building owners and managers as they seek BEPS compliance and make building performance improvements.
Victory Square was the first AHRA project that was completed with funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in addition to local funds.
The scope of the 2025-2026 phase of the project to replace existing systems is projected to achieve 28% energy savings. Including the lighting retrofit conducted in 2023, the full AHRA funded project is projected to achieve 35% energy savings. See below for more details on what the projected savings are for this project.
- Program
- Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator (AHRA) by DCSEU
- Project Costs
- $1.3 million
Projected Energy & Operational Cost Savings
53
93
ENERGY STAR Score: Before Retrofit → Projected After Retrofit
28%
Projected Energy Savings (excluding lighting retrofit)
373,000 kWh
Annual Kilowatt Savings
521,000 lbs CO2e
Annual Carbon Emissions Savings
$81,000
Annual Cost Savings
$1,000,000
Lifetime Cost Savings
$650 / year
Projected Resident Savings on Utility Costs
Hear from stakeholders
A deep energy retrofit requires collaboration and partnership from everyone involved, including tenants, building owners, project managers, and others. Here’s what the work meant for them:
We wanted to make sure that the building was set up to be able to meet and exceed the Building Energy Performance Standards that it is required to meet in the coming years, and this was an opportunity for us to both address capital needs at the property as well as significantly improve the energy efficiency.
— Rachel Cluett, Victory Housing
The new systems, we love them. The water comes on, we don't have to wait a long time for it to get hot. You can tell the difference when you turn your air conditioner on now. It pops right on, which is good.
— Linda Frasier, Victory Square Resident
Victory Square was a really compelling project for us, and I think for the DCSEU team, because it represented this kind of first major what we call deep energy retrofit. A lot of times we're going in and we're upgrading some lights, or maybe we're replacing one system. But in this case, we replaced a bunch of aging, kind of end-of-life equipment that really wasn't very energy efficient.
— Nick Burger, DOEE
With retrofit projects partnerships are key. Property owners, they know their buildings and what's needed. Contractors bring technical expertise. Community partners can help connect residents to different resources and help educate them on the work that's taking place in the building. No successful project can take place without these types of partners.
— Doug Abbot, DCSEU