Background

Los Robles is a multi-family apartment community in Union City, located in Alameda County. The 2-5 bedroom apartment homes have large patios, balconies and landscaped grounds with walkways. Two children’s play areas, a dog run, and a basketball court are located on the grounds. There is a community room available to all residents and a Computer Center with free access to the internet. An instructor is provided for learning computer basics and software programs. Assistance is also provided to link residents with social services available in the community.

The 2012 – 2013 renovation increased the energy and environmental performance of the apartments, earning the community a GreenPoint Rating.

Energy Upgrade

The apartments at Los Robles now have high efficiency lighting inside and other ENERGY STAR equipment like dishwashers and bathroom fans, and insulated hot water pipes. The buildings’ heating efficiency is supported by R-38 attic insulation and programmable thermostats. The apartments do not have cooling equipment, and the cool roof that reflects a lot of solar heat gain keeps the interiors comfortably cool in the summer. The project also installed solar panels that will power at least 50% of the community building and common area electricity needs. In addition to the energy efficiency upgrades, Los Robles features other green elements, such as ultra low flow toilets that use only 1.28 gallons per flush, 30% recycled content concrete around their site, and low VOC paints and coatings in the units which means less polluted indoor air and a healthier living space for families.

Benefits Of Energy Upgrades

• Energy and water savings and producing renewable energy helps save the community money.
• Indoor air quality was improved, thereby bettering the residents’ lives.
• Planning ahead with the GreenPoint Rated checklist and the Energy Upgrade California technical assistance helped the project pick green measures.