Parish Commons Pushes Green
After reporting on the recent advancements of the Parish Commons project, I spoke to Dr. Mike Calabrese a second time regarding the green elements of the project. All total there will be upwards of twenty new dormers added to the roof, which will allow plenty of natural light in. Many of the windows will, for the first time, be able to be opened, thus allowing fresh air into the offices during the summertime. The added light will help to keep electric charges down as well. Most of the fire-damaged purlins and rafters were reused - the irreplaceable beams were milled and planed and brought back to their original state (southern yellow pine from 1902).
Another green feature that we are starting to see more of is the addition of low voltage lighting. The former church was rewired in order to accommodate the LED lighting system. Green flooring will also be introduced in the form of bamboo and cork. Most of the original wood floors will be salvaged - the cork will be introduced only where physical therapy takes place and the bamboo will be installed at the Medical Center. The roof and the walls will be made from structural insulated panels (SIP) to combat heat loss. The windows will all be high efficiency through thermal pain. Dr. Mike told me that all of the metals, including ductwork, pipes and copper gutters, will be reworked into the center. He also made sure that ALL of the materials used at the site were purchased from local venders - not the big box stores, even if it cost him more in the end.
The list goes on, including new high-efficiency furnaces and salvaged light fixtures. He is very excited to reopen The Parish (Elmwood side) in mid-November. He will then start to look at the Sanctuary half of the building. Even though the Parish will be a medical facility featuring chiropractic, deep tissue healing, oral facial, medical, psychotherapy, and an audio-visual boardroom, he is still open to ideas for the 13,000 square foot Sanctuary. So what does Elmwood need? At this point, it's an open slate.
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Comment Options
comptart_lws
who is the architect and G.C?
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mac1234
the architect is Kevin McCarthy
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mac1234
technically
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BlindeSeher
Neat project.
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mac1234
ok ok just a clarification-Greg Hewitt is the architect, K. McCarthy is the project manager nevertheless, yes-great project
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buffaloweiner
Heat Pump, Heat Pump Pump, Heat Pump....if your going to put that much energy into saving energy then a heat pump can lower hvac 30%-50% which translates into lower rents or more profits.
These are things that every commercial property owner in Buffalo should be doing with their property.
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allfit
Weiner - you may want to clarify your comment by specifying GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP. A typical Heat Pump in HVAC terms is not the same as what you are defining.
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blackrocklifer
allfit- Though we seldom agree, you are correct. I am a licensed engineer and maintain HVAC equipment. Geothermal heat pumps are very economical to operate but the installation costs can be quite expensive. What is commonly referred to as a heat pump (in WNY) is simply an air conditioner with a reversing valve allowing it to extract heat or add heat. This type of heat pump is not really efficient but it is convenient and economical to install.
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buffaloweiner
blackrocklifer, what may be common to you is most certainly not common to me because I have never heard what you have described.
However, what is important is that everyone understand what a heat pump is and the savings that can be achieved. Perhaps you could also discuss that while the installation may be expensive that there are NYS funds for residential and commercial installations, you might also discuss the types (vertical vs horizontal), the life of said heat pumps and their savings.
Heat Pumps work well in the extremes of weather and Buffalo has plenty of that! LOL
I have seen them used in the north and in the south and people have sworn by them.
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sbrof
It all comes down to that several feet down the earth is a static temperature and conditioning 52 degree air is much more economical in the winter than heating 20 degree air. The costs are still high but they are dropping and I think I read somewhere that the pay offs are getting down to 15 - 10 years. With such a huge building and the amount of energy that goes into heating it I bet the pay offs are much faster because you would be saving a lot more money per month than just a residential house.
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blackrocklifer
Many hotels, office buildings, and healthcare facilities use the type of heat pump I described. Typically it is mounted under a window and is capable of heating or cooling. The technology is the same as a window A/C but with the ability to reverse the unit to remove heat (to cool) or extract heat from the outside air(to heat). The life of these units varies but 10-15 years is typical. Geothermal uses the constant temperature underground to do basically the same thing. This type is not yet in widespread use here but would be a good investment in the long run.
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TheNextMayor
Good project.
I believe The Church had a geothermal heat pump system installed.
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Auburner
I think I went to a Cub Scout meeting in that basement. I thought they were a strange lot and they all dressed funny; my first exposure to social commentary and fashion don'ts
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buffaloweiner
The heat pumps I priced to add to a furnace are between $1,000-$2,000 installed BUT as I said there are rebates and energy star programs and nys programs that could probably cut that by 50% or more.
Those $1,000 flash water heaters (no tank...ie tankless water heaters), there are even programs from the manufacturer, the retailer and the state for that too.
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