IMEG provided engineering services for the new Oxford Place Senior Apartments, a project with the goal to provide “net positive” living for its tenants. This is the state of Indiana’s first “net positive” project and it was independently verified by a third party. 

Energy savings start with each apartment containing low energy consumption, Energy Star appliances, and well-insulated walls, windows, and roof. 

The plumbing system contains low-flow fixtures to reduce the quantity of water consumed. A solar domestic water heater system was installed to provide most of the domestic hot water needs of the building. A hot water meter is installed at each unit to measure domestic hot water usage by each tenant. 

The heating and ventilation system consists of a hydronic geothermal heat pump loop.  A geothermal well field is installed beneath the project site and building. Geothermal loop water is circulated between the well field and each apartment, which contains a water-to-air heat pump. A building make-up air system consists of a transpired solar collector plenum, which preheat the air to provide tempered ventilation air in winter months. Operable windows provide ventilation air during other seasons. 

Each apartment is provided with a 5.4kW photovoltaic array to offset electrical consumption in the apartment and is net metered in order to monitor consumption and photovoltaic production. The net metering has the ability to quantify electricity being consumed by the tenant vs. electricity being generated and delivered back to the utility company. Low consumption LED lights were installed throughout the building.