557-559 East Second Street, South Boston. New luxury lofts with spectacular views of the Boston skyline.

From the very inception of the project, RCG and Utile have made a major commitment to creating a "green," or sustainable development. We will apply for and anticipate receiving the Energy Star® Homes qualification.

What is an Energy Star® Home?

Energy Star® Homes is a federally managed program to promote energy efficient residential construction. An Energy Star® Home uses 70% or less of the energy required for heating, cooling and hot water than a home built to the national Model Energy Code. Energy Star® Homes accomplish this by featuring superior construction technologies, including increased insulation levels, minimized air leakage, high performance windows, as well as high efficiency appliances, heating and air conditioning. As a result, Energy Star® Homes cost significantly less to operate than conventional homes.

What are we doing specifically at 557-559?

At 557-559, we have made the following choices in assuring a high quality of construction:

Superior insulation—utilizing blown-in cellulose in exterior walls, which seeps into cracks to form a tight air seal far superior to traditional fiberglass batting.
Aluminum-clad wood windows -- with double insulated, low-e, argon filled glazing for very high performance.
Highly-efficient, on-demand gas-fired hot water system—which produces "instantaneous" hot water when you need it, but doesn't waste energy pre-heating a full tank

What are the benefits to you?

At 557-559, the benefits to you will include:

Thermal comfort. Well-insulated, tightly sealed homes are generally also the most comfortable to live in. Minimizing both heat gain and heat loss through the exterior building envelope ensures stable interior temperatures, and virtually eliminates draft. As a result, occupants feel warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Higher acoustical privacy and better fire protection. Blown-in cellulose insulation creates a much stronger acoustical barrier than fiber glass batt, preventing noise from traveling between walls. This insulation also results in a fire protection rating which is double that of standard construction.

Assured indoor air quality. "Building tight and ventilating right," an Energy Star® Homes motto, ensures that the homeowner is provided with a controlled supply of clean and healthy air at all times, and that indoor particulates, odors, and excessive moisture are removed. As a result, many owners of Energy Star® Homes report fewer colds and allergy symptoms. Unlike fiberglass batting, cellulose insulation, when inadvertently exposed to a leak, will get wet and then dry out again without growing mold. In addition, specifically at 557-559, we have chosen:

a continually venting, "library quiet" bathroom fan
paints and sealants with no or low V.O.C. content, creating minimal off-gassing

Lower utility bills. Energy conservation measures will result in energy savings for unit owners of approximately 25-40% below utility costs for units of this size built using standard construction techniques. At 557-559, appliances have been chosen for their maximum energy efficiency. Examples include:

Energy Star® rated refrigerator, dish washer, washer, and fan
water-saving front-loading washers
dual-flush toilets, enabling the choice of a "large" (1.6 GPF) or a "small" (0.9 GPF) flush
daylight sensors on lighting in driveway areas

Lessened environmental and global impact. Energy Star® Homes have direct and significant environmental benefits, resulting in reduced air pollution and the reduction of use of primary resources, including oil and gas. At 557-559, examples not yet mentioned include:

an on-site stormwater retention system that reduces run-off into the city's sewer system
an emphasis on recycled content in materials used, including the asphalt pavers used in the central courtyard and the cellulose insulation.

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