Energy Square

RUPCO’s Energy Square (E2) addresses neighborhood blight at a shuttered former bowling alley in the city of Kingston’s core to answer specific community needs and provide safe, sustainable and affordable housing in a new zero-net energy structure. It is a transformative project in Midtown Kingston—it is the first affordable Zero Net Energy (ZNE) project in upstate New York. The project completed construction in June 2020 and was fully occupied by November 2020. The residents’ electricity needs are met through a 300 KW on site solar array with a projected annual production of 352,000 kWh. The residents and commercial tenants heating and cooling needs are met through a geothermal system. E2 is EPA ENERGY-STAR Homes certified; EPA Indoor airPLUS certified; DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes certified; and received the LEED Homes v4 Platinum Certification on November 30, 2020.

In addition to the geothermal system and the solar array, advanced construction techniques were employed by the insulation and air sealing trades to eliminate any exfiltration of conditioned air between units or to the exterior. Given the extremely tight exterior, fresh air ventilation is accomplished with individual Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) units directly vented from every unit, promoting superior interior air quality. RUPCO master metered the residential portion of the building and covers the cost of electric for the landlord and all residential units. As a result, utility allowances are factored at zero in the rent calculations.

E2 provides 57 affordable homes for its residents that include 9 apartments for those who were homeless. The building also has non-residential spaces that are helping to revitalize the neighborhood of Midtown Kingston. E2 offers three community development spaces. A community service facility operated by the Center for Creative Education (CCE), a non-profit arts program that provides services for children and adults through arts, music and dance. Adjacent to CCE is a Caribbean restaurant and retail store that supports women owned businesses called Seasoned Delicious. The commercial space is occupied by D.R.A.W., Department of Regional Art Workers, an arts education program for children to adults.