Emerald Communities has broken ground on the first phase of the Heron’s Key Continuing Care Retirement Community in Gig Harbor. Ecotope developed the energy efficiency approach and mechanical systems design for the project; working with Rice Fergus Miller Architects.

Says Ecotope mechanical engineer Shawn Oram, “This building will use ½ the energy of a typical assisted living facility.  Central to the design are Dedicated Outdoor Air (DOAS) with Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV’s) and VRF for the skilled nursing and common areas.  We are also doing VRF preheating of the domestic hot water systems; recovering waste heat from cooling and transferring to hot water.  In the residential living units, we have ERV’s with exhaust based ventilation and LED lights.”  Completion is expected in Spring 2016.