Phoenix Energy-Efficient Building. Who Is Going Green In Phoenix Metro Area
February 21st, 2008 Posted in Cool Facts, Did You Know?
Phoenix Energy-Efficient Building. Who Is Going Green In Phoenix Metro Area
In Arizona’s slow real-estate market, some builders are finding that green sells, and government officials are trying to encourage that.
State and federal governments, local utility companies and some municipalities offer economic and procedural incentives for green building.
Most take the form of financial incentives offered for renewable energy and energy efficiency. advertisement
Utilities Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project offer homeowners rebate programs for upgrading old air-conditioners to units with higher energy-efficiency ratings, for purchasing Energy Star appliances or for having water-efficient landscaping.
Some cities offer quicker plan review and processing to builders on their green projects.
But in many ways, Scottsdale is leading the pack as a municipality with its decade-old green-building incentives program.
“About 23 percent of single-family residence permits for 2007 were for green residential housing,” said Anthony Floyd, Scottsdale’s green-building manager.
Scottsdale also reports seeing a strong increase in the number of multifamily permits that incorporate green strategies and an increase in the number of solar permits for photovoltaic and solar water heaters.
Companies that have put more emphasis on green projects say it just makes sense.
“We think it differentiates us from other developments,” said David Krumwiede, executive vice president in Lincoln Property Co.’s Phoenix office.
“We think it’s a benefit to our tenants and an attraction to our tenants.”
Lincoln is currently trying to make Paradise Village Office Park, a 260,000-square-foot office building it co-purchased last year, more green by replacing toilets and light fixtures.
The commercial-development firm also plans to pursue LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification for other projects it has built.
Other Valley cities besides Scottsdale offer more limited incentives and rebates, although many officials say they are working on upgrades.
Phoenix
The city does not provide any green tax incentives for residential or commercial developments or tracking of residential or commercial projects with green features.
Builders do, however, seek certification under international LEED guidelines when constructing city buildings and recreational centers, said Sina Matthes, a city spokeswoman.
They also did it for new Phoenix Convention Center, Matthes said.
The LEED green-building rating system is a benchmark for green construction, design and operation of both new and renovated buildings.
It is a program that provides project certifications for environmental responsibility, profitability and public health and safety.
Tempe
The city is developing a program but currently offers no city incentives or rebates.
Kris Baxter, Tempe marketing director, said the city will be completing a LEED-certified transit building soon and has approved two other green projects that are under construction: the Papago Gateway Center at Mill Avenue and Curry Drive, and Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute.
Glendale
The city has no green-building tax incentives but is beginning to put a program together.
“We have not seen any significant increases in building projects with green features during the past five years,” said Deborah Mazoyer, director of Glendale’s Building Safety Department.
“Occasionally, we find them on custom homes.”
Mesa
Terry Williams, building-safety director for the city, said: “We don’t currently track green-featured projects but are assembling a green-building team to determine what Mesa needs to do in this area going forward.
“We also have a new courts building in the design stage and have modified plans with green elements.”
Statewide
The state provides a personal-income-tax deduction to owners of new energy-efficient homes for 5 percent of the sales price, to a maximum of $5,000.
Corporate-tax breaks are offered to businesses that use renewable energy or install solar photovoltaic or solar hot-water systems.
Loan programs are an option for single and multifamily residences in southeastern Arizona that improve energy efficiency of their properties.
These incentives are offered through Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Inc.
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