North Highlands, California
Project Start: Fall 2007
Project End: Initial move-in expected by mid-2011
Architect: Cynthia Easton Architects
Owner: Sacramento Mutual Housing Association
This new, affordable housing community features 78 studio apartments and one-bedroom lofts, 12 two-story townhomes, laundry facilities, and a community building. Meline Engineering first provided a preliminary analysis of HVAC and plumbing alternatives that would be energy-efficient, cost-effective, and garner funding from public utilities and other sources.
For individual apartments, Meline Engineering selected and specified mini-split ductless heat pumps. These systems provide an energy-efficient HVAC solution at reasonable costs. For the townhouse units, a unique energy-efficient HVAC system featuring an indirect/direct evaporative cooler and a 90% AFUE furnace has been specified. The indirect/direct evaporative cooler cools with minimal operating costs and also provides a whole-house fan function, allowing nighttime cooling of the townhouse units by ventilation air without opening windows.
As with the HVAC systems, Meline Engineering provided extensive analysis of alternatives to ensure selection of cost-effective and energy-efficient water heating and piping systems. Meline specified tankless water heaters were specified for all units. Cost-saving CSST gas piping and PEX domestic water piping systems were designed in accordance with strict administrative authority requirements.
Meline Engineering will provide construction administration; construction is anticipated to start in the summer of 2010.
