The post Largest-Ever Geothermal Grid Under This Texas Housing Development Is Saving Homeowners Serious Money appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

The post Energy Efficient Austin Homes in Whisper Valley Explained – Austin Business Journal appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

July 07, 2022 08:00 ET | Source: Taurus Investment Holdings

BOSTON and SAN FRANCISCO and FT. WORTH, Texas, July 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  TPG Real Estate Partners (“TREP”), the dedicated real estate equity investment platform of global alternative asset management firm TPG, and Taurus Investment Holdings, LLC (“Taurus”), a global private equity real estate firm, today announced a partnership for the development of a sustainable, 276-unit, garden style apartment complex within the Avian Pointe master planned community.

Located in the rapidly expanding Orlando metropolitan area, the project broke ground in May 2022. Upon completion, the community will be surrounded by dedicated conservation areas and include six residential buildings outfitted with an array of amenities, including a fitness center, outdoor pool, individual workspaces, fire pits and grilling patios. The partnership will work with EcoSmart Solution, a green energy services provider affiliated with Taurus, to incorporate innovative energy infrastructure into the development. Specifically, EcoSmart Solution will design and deliver geothermal heating and cooling technology, solar energy infrastructure and a comprehensive suite of low-carbon and energy efficiency resources to enhance the project.

“TREP is excited to be investing in a sustainable multifamily development that we believe should generate superior resident and investor demand while aligning with our focus on ESG,” said Tripp Johnson, Partner at TPG Real Estate. “We look forward to expanding this partnership with Taurus and EcoSmart Solution to build apartments that meet our collective investment objectives while leading the way in developing a more sustainable future.”

“EcoSmart Solution has already shown it’s a viable green energy service provider through its existing developments, but validation from an established firm like TPG further shows that there’s a need for its innovative geothermal infrastructure and impressive suite of advanced sustainable technology,” said Peter A. Merrigan, CEO of Taurus. “Taurus has a longstanding commitment to creating environmentally conscious properties and TPG is a firm that shares our core values. We are excited to partner with them and take the first step in what will be a best-in-class, sustainable and healthy Central Florida community.”

Utilizing EcoSmart Solution’s GeoGrid, a community-wide utility, similar to water, sewer and electric lines, the geothermal exchange system will power the initial multifamily development. The system is uniquely designed to take advantage of local ground conditions and will tap into the Floridan Aquifer to exchange heat with the subsurface body of water that continuously moves underground across the state of Florida. The program at Avian Pointe will also include energy efficient technology such as geothermal heat pumps, Solar PV systems, EV charging and advanced energy monitoring tools, resulting in an energy resilient and sustainable community.

“As investors, developers and homebuilders prioritize ESG-centric business initiatives, EcoSmart Solution offers an impactful solution for sustainable developments, which has become an urgent priority across the real estate sector,” said John Towle, CEO of EcoSmart Solution. “We’re tremendously appreciative of the opportunity to work with TPG to showcase our energy efficient technology that allows developers to meet increasingly aggressive energy efficiency standards.”

About TPG Real Estate Partners

TPG Real Estate Partners (“TREP”) is the dedicated real estate equity investment platform of global alternative asset firm TPG. Today, TREP has $10.5 billion of assets under management. Since its inception in 2009, TREP has built a differentiated investment portfolio comprised primarily of real estate-rich platforms and portfolios located in the United States and Europe. TPG was founded in 1992 and now has approximately $120 billion of assets under management with investment and operational teams in 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.tpg.com.

About Taurus Investment Holdings, LLC

Established in 1976, Taurus is a global real estate private equity firm with over 45 years of experience as a general partner, investor, and operator. By empowering and combining the strength of in-house experts in the fields of multifamily, office, logistics, mixed-use, and renewable energy, the firm has created targeted, scalable investments into value-add, core-plus, and development opportunities.

Taurus is focused on using innovative energy efficient technologies to make the extensive infrastructure investments required to decarbonize residential and commercial buildings through its EcoSmart Solution and RENU Communities affiliates.

Throughout North America and Europe, Taurus is consistently recognized as one of the premier owners of both directly managed and joint venture commercial real estate. To date, Taurus has purchased and developed more than 69 million square feet of residential, office, industrial, retail and other commercial real estate assets throughout the world with a total acquisition value of over $10 billion. www.tiholdings.com.

About EcoSmart Solution

EcoSmart Solution, an affiliate of global real estate investment firm Taurus Investment Holdings (TIH) and a green energy services provider (Green ESP), is designing and delivering innovative geothermal infrastructure combined with a comprehensive suite of distributed energy resources; enabling developers and builders of large-scale new construction neighborhoods to create energy efficient communities and homes, providing new homeowners and tenants an affordable, comfortable, and sustainable living. https://ecosmartsolution.com

Media Contacts:

TPG:
Leslie Shribman and Courtney Power
Media@tpg.com

Taurus:
EcoSmart Solution:
taurus@fischtankpr.com
ess@fischtankpr.com

The post TPG Real Estate and Taurus Announce ESG-Centric Joint Venture for Development Within Avian Pointe appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

Owners’ and developers’ inclination toward green building practices and growing care for the environment is on the rise. At the same time, green building practices represent a good incentive for investors, as these properties sell for higher prices, spend less time on the market and rent easier at higher rents than standard properties.

Closing the loop are the residents, showing an increasing predisposition toward eco-conscious living quarters. Communities that boast green building features are typically newer and equipped with energy-efficient systems for which the renters are willing to pay more. And younger generations show more interest in slowing or stopping the fast changes the climate is exhibiting, and they express that through more concern for green building features.

A telling example of a sustainable community is Whisper Valley, one of the largest zero-energy capable developments in North America, spanning 2,000 acres in Austin, Texas, and built by Taurus Investment Holdings and its subsidiary EcoSmart Solution. A much-discussed feature used at Whisper Valley is the GeoThermal Exchange, a system that will be installed at the multifamily component by way of individual packaged Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) that provide both indoor climate control and domestic hot water preheating for each apartment unit, according to Greg Wolfson, CTO at EcoSmart Solution.

“The use of packaged GSHPs with integrated air handling makes their integration seamless to the standard air ductwork within apartment units. The GSHP within each unit conditions the apartment’s indoor air to meet the occupant’s requirements through smart thermostat control,” Wolfson said. Another fascinating thing about the geothermal exchange system is its ability to be designed in accordance with the local ground conditions at each site.

Taurus Investment Holdings CEO Peter Merrigan and Managing Director of New Energies and Sustainability Eric Bradley joined the conversation on what it takes, as a multifamily developer, to meet the eco-conscious demands of the younger generations.

Is green building still perceived as luxury living?

Merrigan: We think the perception is changing; green is no longer considered a luxury but more of a necessity to modernize older properties and to create state-of-the-art new properties that will retain value over time and add to the quality of life for the residents.

What are the main factors triggering this shift of focus on higher-performing green assets?

Bradley: Consumer demand, new regulatory building mandates and government programs incentivizing sustainable buildings are the main factors triggering the shift to a focus on higher-performing green assets. Additionally, investors are prioritizing business opportunities that meet environmental, social and governance criteria, so no matter the stakeholder—whether it’s the renter, landlord, builder or developer—there is a drive for greener housing opportunities on all levels.

While we are witnessing this massive movement in the real estate industry toward being “green,” the reality is that the majority are falling short of what needs to be done.

Why do younger generations prefer sustainable brands and more eco-conscious rental units?

Merrigan: Millennials and Gen Z prefer sustainable brands because they understand the impact those brands have, and that resonates. As the first truly digitally native generation, Gen Z has grown up subject to seeing and living in the damage of past generations, witnessing the effects of extreme weather like wildfires, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Both Gen Z and Millennials have a greater depth of knowledge about the built environment and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and that influence has already begun to drive demand for more eco-conscious rental units.

How does one reduce the carbon footprint of a new development? Which methods are most reliable?

Bradley: We think of the carbon footprint as two components: the embodied carbon in the materials used to build the structure and the operational carbon, which arises across the life of the asset. There are many advances being made to offer lower carbon materials—such as using recycled materials and wood as examples. In order to reduce the operational footprint, it depends on the equipment installed to consume and produce energy. We start with the building envelope first. This includes doors, windows, wall and roof insulation.

Next are highly efficient appliances, including heating and air conditioning, as well as the hot water system. One of the largest sources of carbon emission can be room heating and domestic water heating for buildings. Statistics from the Department of Energy show that nearly one-third of real estate emissions come from on-site hydrocarbon use.

We deploy ground-sourced heat pumps in our developments—these are reliable, highly efficient, proven technologies that significantly reduce the energy needs for a property. Our analysis, as well as third-party studies, show that ground-sourced heat pumps are cost-effective to the owner over a 20-year period.

Doing everything up to this point can get emissions to half or more over traditional construction. However, we go further and include photovoltaic solar, which reduces net-energy consumption and emissions to below 20 percent of a traditional building.

Some in our industry prefer to go directly to solar, skipping the energy efficiency step. They oversize a solar system without doing the deep energy efficiency investments. We think that is a missed opportunity to get a more resilient system that is also less exposed to energy price changes, and able to accommodate future electrification loads, like those from electric vehicle charging.

Finally, we include energy monitoring tools that can help consumers further manage their behavior. With all of these in place, we have some customers who can approach close to net-zero energy.

What are the main challenges in the development of multifamily properties?

Merrigan: Continued construction cost volatility and a shifting landscape in how construction lending is priced and financed.

Are current environmental regulations adding to the housing crisis?

Bradley: While there may be more stringent requirements to meet water scarcity, flood or fire risks, those have been in place for a while and ensure that new developments are properly sited and will be viable in the long term against transition risks. The energy efficiency technologies we are focused on will significantly reduce energy consumption and lower overall occupant costs. The real challenges at present are material costs, supply chain challenges in getting materials in a timely manner, and skilled labor availability.

How are all of these challenges impacting the focus on sustainability?

Merrigan: It is a challenge, as is any development right now, but we believe that by delivering a superior product we can realize the value that results in a better living experience and better retention in our communities. It is important to remember that sustainability efforts pay for themselves—in the form of energy savings—and sustainability itself has only become a more compelling proposition in a highly volatile and expensive energy environment.

Have you started work on the multifamily component at Whisper Valley? Tell us more about the project’s timeline and the amenities that set it apart from others.

Merrigan: We are in the final stages of permitting and are scheduled to break ground at the beginning of 2023. The development will offer a best-in-class amenity package that includes dedicated green space, on-site pocket parks, resort-style clubhouse and pool, oversize dog park, playground area, organic community  gardens and direct access to the master trail system at Whisper Valley.

Green aspects include heating and cooling and hot water supply through a geothermal loop system, electricity through a solar array, electric vehicle charging stations and an energy monitoring system that allows the residents to realize increased energy savings on a unit-by-unit basis.

All our multifamily developments will focus on applying sustainable solutions across the communities, creating high-quality living spaces, and increasing the value of the overall development, while also offering residents significant energy savings and a more comfortable way of living.

What combination works best for real estate developers to meet demands for innovation while navigating the increasing cost of construction?

Merrigan: You cannot let innovation be the only experience you provide to the residents in your community. Coupling best-in-class amenities and living experiences with sustainability allows the residents to get the best of both worlds.

Read the full article at www.multihousingnews.com | Meeting the Eco-Conscious Demands of Young Renters

The post Meeting the Eco-Conscious Demands of Young Renters appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

What does ‘eco-friendly’ mean?

‘Eco’ comes from the Latin root ‘oeco’, meaning ‘household’. Eco is often used now to mean habitat, home, or Earth. Therefore, “eco-friendly” simply means Earth-friendly. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, eco-friendly means “Eco-friendly products have been designed to do the least possible damage to the environment.”

Basically, it’s all about doing no harm to the environment. Products, events, and services that are eco-friendly don’t hurt the Earth. When thinking about products in particular, it means looking at everything from how the product is made, to how it’s delivered. Does any part of that process harm the planet? If so, it’s not entirely eco-friendly. 

What are the product qualifications?

A true eco-friendly product keeps both environmental and human safety at heart. At the bare minimum, the product needs to be non-toxic. Other eco-friendly attributes include using sustainably grown or raised materials produced in ways that do not deplete the ecosystem. Organic ingredients or materials are grown without toxic pesticides or herbicides. Products with “made from recycled materials” contain glass, wood, metal or plastic reclaimed from waste products and made into something new. Biodegradable products break down through natural decomposition, which is less taxing on landfills and the ecosystem as a whole.

What is greenwashing?

Companies sometimes label their products “eco-friendly” or “environmentally friendly” without them truly being so. This is where the term “greenwashing” comes into play. It’s the marketing campaigns that perpetuate this practice and aim to help companies increase their product sales by appealing to eco-conscious buyers. 

To avoid purchasing “greenwashed” products, look for products approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star program or an ecologically minded consumer-advocacy group such as the Green Good Housekeeping Seal. Or in the EcoSmart case, we are backed by the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria.

How can I find eco products?

One quick way to see if a product is environmentally-friendly is to look up the label. Not all eco-friendly products are labeled, but there are various logos that signal things that are sustainably made, fairtrade, or cruelty-free. Trusted logos include the Soil Association symbol, which shows that a product is organic. There’s also the Rainforest Alliance frog logo, which appears on rigorous sustainability standards.

There are many websites that help you look to see how sustainable products and businesses are. Make sure to check the business’s website, particularly the about us and media room pages. CompanyFolders.com has a great example of this, devoting a special page specifically about their eco-friendly initiatives and printing practices. Ecomall.com is a central sites where you can shop among many companies that offer eco-friendly products. National Green Pages is a directory of about 3,000 companies that have made commitments to sustainable and socially just operations. Keep in mind, even if a product has sustainable ingredients, it might not come in a sustainable box or bottle. Always think of the three R’s: Can this be recycled, reused, or reduced?

How is EcoSmart eco-friendly?

EcoSmart is paving the way for sustainable living for future generations. Through our conservative efforts, we have constructed the neighborhood not of the future, but of now. A neighborhood where people come together and are integrated with nature. A neighborhood where homeowners are provided with an affordable, comfortable and energy efficient home that they never have to think twice about. From the very start of our venture, we have strived to deliver a greener future, and we believe that is where we are and where we will continue to head towards. 

The post What Does Eco-Friendly Mean? appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

Install a water filter that removes microplastics.

Adding a water filter to your washing machine will help make sure those pesky microplastics don’t get into you or your home. You can also install a filter on your tap water to keep microplastics out of your drinking water.

Pick water-based paints.

If you’re thinking of a new paint option for your walls, opt for water-based paints that contain natural pigments. Most paints are oil-based and not as eco-friendly as they should be. People have found that water-based paints offer a nicer variety of colors and are more aesthetically pleasing.

Think green when cleaning.

We all have our preferred detergents and cleaning products that we’ve used for years. Many of us have never really thought about the harm they could be doing to our environment. Once these chemicals are washed down the drain, they creep into our water supply. This often takes way more energy and hard work to purify the water again at treatment works. Luckily, there are some simple switches you can make. Bicarbonate is found in soda, lemon juice, or vinegar and can all be used in place of bleach and detergents to kill bacteria and leave homes grease and odor-free. Switching to steam cleaners to disinfect and kill germs is another green way of keeping homes clean!

Choose Environmentally-Friendly Furniture.

Opt for furniture that makes a difference, whether it’s upcycled or made of eco-friendly materials. This means you get to enjoy your furniture guilt-free while reaping the health benefits. There are so many furniture brands out there that seek to provide customer and environment safe products.

Add Window Treatments.

Curtains and blinds not only give you privacy and light out, but they also help save energy! To make sure you get the right kind of window treatments, be sure you look for the ones that specifically prevent heat loss in the winter and deflect the sun’s rays to keep your home cooler in the summer.

And these are just some of the ways you can help your home become more sustainable, whether you’re living in an EcoSmart home or not. We love to see how you’re going green, so be sure to tag us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The post How to Make Your Home More Sustainable appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

“When uncommonly cold weather hit Texas in February 2021, the surge in energy demand knocked out the power grid, leaving millions of people without electricity or heat for days. The so-called Snowpocalypse was a catastrophe that left an estimated 58 people dead. For a few hundred residents in the east Austin subdivision Whisper Valley, though, the cold streak barely registered. While their neighbors across the state suffered, Whisper Valley residents had heat thanks to some very deep holes dug beneath their homes.

The houses in Whisper Valley, a development of about 200 homes, are powered by what’s being called a geogrid–an electricity-generating network using geothermal energy from deep below the surface of the earth. It’s a new way to think about powering neighborhoods. As extreme weather gets more destructive, it may also be a way for communities to withstand their own version of Snowpocalypse.”

The post EcoSmart Featured in Fast Company appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

Is the Rain Enough to Clean My Solar Panels?

In a study conducted in Spain, researchers measured an average performance reduction of only 4.4% after a year’s worth of dust buildup. That doesn’t seem too bad, right? But the study also found that in “long periods without rain, daily energy losses can be higher than 20%.” This means that in a dry climate where dust buildup is common the problem remains. A lack of rain results in dust buildup that can get progressively worse the longer the dry spell lasts.

Meanwhile, places with normal rainfall can rinse away dust and keep your solar panels producing around 95% of their maximum capacity. Knowing this statistic might lead you into thinking that more rain equals less solar maintenance. That’s not completely true though. Most of the time there’s more to the scenario than dust alone. Pollen, bird droppings, leaves, ash, and haze can form when smog or smoke hangs heavy in the atmosphere. These all combine to create a layer of surface soiling, which may or may not wash away in the rain. Here’s a report from Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews that digs into the many complex variables involved.

In the case of rain, research concludes that allowing rain to do the work of cleaning solar panels is a fine decision, only if you live in the right kind of environment where…

• Dust makes up most of the buildup that forms on solar panels.
• The makeup of the dust will effectively wash away with the rain.
• It rains with the right frequency to keep dust buildup from depleting your solar energy production.

How Do You Know When it’s Time to Clean Your Panels?

With a little bit of experience monitoring your solar panels, you’ll learn how much fluctuation to expect over the course of a year. During the summer, you’ll have more energy, while in the winter, the sun’s not out for long, so your solar energy isn’t as high. If you start noticing a continuous reduced output at a time when the weather is nice and bright, dirty panels could be the culprit. 

Okay, My Panels Are Dirty. How Do I Clean Them?

Cleaning your solar panels shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, nor should it be a complicated chore. If possible, spraying your panels off from the ground with a hose is the easiest and best route. But the stickier the buildup, the more likely it is that you’ll need cleaning tools and supplies to wipe the buildup correctly. Pick a soft scrubber, squeegee, or brush, that won’t scratch or damage the panels. Choose a very mild soap that doesn’t contain any chemicals which could harm or degrade the panels. From there, here’s how you clean the panels:

• Fill a bucket with warm water and add a small amount of mild soap.
• Rinse your solar panels with a hose, or with another low-pressure sprayer.
• Use soapy water and the scrubber to gently scrub the panels and clean them of any debris or buildup.
• Rinse solar panels thoroughly to remove any soapy water.
• Allow panels to dry in the sun.

Lastly, you should never clean your solar panels during the hottest part of the day! The extreme temperature difference between the water and the solar panels may cause the glass to crack.

Final Words

Depending on your weather conditions, dust, and other pollutants can accumulate on your solar panels. It’s important for you to regularly rinse off your panels. If necessary, follow the tips above to carefully clean them, or hire professional cleaners. If done correctly, cleaning your solar panels will keep your system operating at maximum efficiency so you can reap the full benefits of going solar all year long!

The post Do I Need to Clean My Solar Panels? appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

“One of the most cost-effective ways to make your house more comfortable year-round could be right beneath your feet. Much of the heating and cooling can come from an energy-efficient source known as a geothermal heat pump.

These systems are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Because they use the earth’s natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies available today.

Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground source heat pumps, can be used almost anywhere in the country because all areas have nearly constant shallow ground temperatures, although systems in different locations will have varied degrees of efficiency and cost savings.”

The post EcoSmart Solution Feature in The Washington Post appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.

The post Texas’ Largest Geothermal Development in the U.S. appeared first on Ecosmart Solution.