Habitat Scores DOE 2022 Housing Innovation Award
. .
We are thrilled to share that a MaGrann supported project by Habitat for Humanity North Central Connecticut was selected for a DOE 2022 Housing Innovation Award in the Affordable category. The project in East Hartford, CT is an all electric four bedroom, 1.5 bath home that pursued Zero Energy Ready Home Certification and an impressive HERS index of 34.
.
The Housing Innovation Award recognizes the best in energy efficiency, indoor air quality, comfort, and construction quality. Grand Winners were announced during the Housing Innovation Awards Ceremony at the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) High Performance Home Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 20th, 2022.
.
.
Photographed: Ben Adams, VP of MaGrann Associates and Karraine Moody, CEO of Habitat for Humanity North Central CT
|
|
New Affordable Housing in NYC |
|
Throop Corners, a new affordable housing community in Brooklyn has broken ground! The project will provide 140 studio, one, two, three, and four-bedroom units that promise to be healthy and efficient places to live. The development team includes St. Nick’s Alliance, Riseboro Development (and others). The project was designed by Marvel Architects and is pursuing PHIUS, Enterprise Green Communities, ENERGY STAR MFNC, and EPA Indoor airPLUS certifications.
.
MaGrann supported the project through PHIUS CPHC + Verifier, EGC, ENERGY STAR, and sustainability consulting. Rich Selverian, President & CEO of MaGrann, notes that "it’s particularly gratifying to support a project that will help increase affordable housing in New York City".
.
|
|
Inflation Reduction Act Provides Much Needed Funding for Projects |
|
We couldn’t be more excited about the Inflation Reduction Act and the variety of investment opportunities it presents projects across the country.
.
While we wait for the DOE, EPA, and IRS to release final rules and guidance, below is a preview of two opportunities that we’d like to highlight:
.
-
45L Tax Credit: expanded to include multifamily (includes SF already) and is in effect for a 10-year period starting in January 2023. Projects that meet ENERGY STAR certification or Zero Energy Ready Homes certification are eligible for tax credits on single family and multifamily properties.
|
|
-
High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program: Grants to States through the State Energy Program for rebates up to a total of $14,000 per unit/home. This includes both single-family and multifamily property types. Electric measures include: Heat pump, heat pump water heater, electric oven/cooktop appliances, clothes dryer, electric wiring, air sealing, ventilation, insulation, and more…
.
We are closely tracking these opportunities to leverage for our clients. Updates will be posted on our website www.magrann.com/IRA for latest information.
|
|
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approves Energy and Water Benchmarking Program |
|
Earlier this month, the NJBPU released a Benchmarking order that requires large existing commercial and multifamily buildings over 25,000 square feet to benchmark energy and water annually. The first benchmarking submissions will be due October 1, 2023 based on usage during the 2022 calendar year.
.
Benchmarking can offer wonderful insights into your building operations and usage. This program will:
.
- Equip building owners and operators with a better understanding of their facility's energy and water usage
- Allow them to compare their results with similar buildings
- Use this data to make informed decisions around future efficiency improvements
.
|
|
Code Updates Throughout Northeast |
|
We are tracking the various codes across the Northeast and MidAtlantic regions, helping clients navigate and understand the various changes to Code as well as context to green building programs.
.
- Adoption for 2021 I-Codes (and National Standard Plumbing Code) in NJ - effective date 3/6/23
- Adoption of 2022 CT State Building Codes (2021 I-Codes with Amendments) - effective 10/1/22
- Adoption of Tenth Edition MA Building Codes (2021 I-Codes) and Stretch Code - effective 1/1/23
- Adoption of 2018 I-Codes in PA - effective 8/15/22
- NJ Benchmarking Policy – first submissions due10/1/23
.
|
|
Courtney McCracken has joined the MaGrann team as a Technical Consultant. He will be conducting HERS ratings and hopes to learn about Passive House ratings in the near future.
.
Courtney has traveled the world with his wife Lynn, courtesy of the U.S. Navy. Courtney's assignments were in construction management and facilities management. His first three duty stations were in Japan, Guam, and California. Courtney and his wife had one child born in each of those places, all on the Pacific “ring of fire”! He then deployed to Somalia for a year followed by living in Madrid, Spain for three years. He finished his Navy career with four years in New Jersey. Courtney worked at the Weapons Station in Colts Neck and the Shipyard in Philadelphia. Since the Navy, he worked on the Central Artery Tunnel project in Boston (aka the Big Dig) and at Brown University in Providence.
.
"I have wanted to get into this work since I built my NZE house in Mystic in 2017 so I am very happy to have joined MaGrann!"
|
|
Carol Williams joins the MaGrann team as the Administrative Assistant, supporting client requests and project administration. Carol has raised four children, enjoys the gym, long walks, gardening, and playing pool.
"I am eager to support the proposal development process, and to help create smoother transitions between each task!"
|
|
Margaret Yousef joins MaGrann Associates as a Project Manager for the Building Energy Systems (BES) Team. Margaret was born in Egypt and immigrated to the United States 20 years ago. One of Margaret’s favorite quotes is, “Don’t fear failure, but rather fear not trying.” She enjoys cooking and experimenting with new Middle Eastern recipes. Margaret is excited to join the MaGrann team and expand her passion for energy efficiency and green buildings. |
|
Zack Goodwin joins the Business Development team as a Client Relations Manager, helping MaGrann grow its network, expand business opportunities, and elevate the company’s brand. Zack comes to MaGrann with a background in the urban planning and geographic information systems (GIS) fields and is passionate about smart growth, transit-oriented development, and sustainability. He and his wife, Jen, live in the East Passyunk neighborhood of South Philadelphia and are expecting their first child in October!
“I’m thrilled to join the MaGrann team and make a difference in the fight against climate change. Energy efficiency is critical to our collective well-being, and I’m honored to play a role in expanding the presence of green infrastructure.”
|
|
Yonatan (Yoni) Hazan is the new Green Building Consultant in the New York office. He will be performing energy audits and energy modeling analyses on buildings, conducting site visits, and ensuring client satisfaction through project quality. In his spare time, he enjoys playing piano and guitar, pick up basketball games in Brooklyn and Ultimate Frisbee in Prospect Park. One of his favorite quotes is: “A clever man never gets into what a smart man can’t get out of.”
– Unknown.
|
|
Matt Cunningham joins the MaGrann team as a Green Building Consultant. He will be reviewing project plans and verifying buildings in the Washington, D.C. area. Matt comes from a background of sustainability coordination, carpentry, construction, and environmental education. At one time, he lived and worked on a research station in Antarctica for five months!
"I am looking forward to increasing my understanding of green building practices and getting to know my coworkers."
|
|
Certified LEED for
Homes to Date: 12,060
|
|
Certified ENERGY STAR
Homes to Date: 55,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
