The Denver Housing Authority rolled out an energy plan Tuesday that the group said will have the environmental impact of planting 460,000 trees over the next 20 years.
By retrofitting housing units with energy-efficient lighting, low-flow faucets and efficient appliances, among other things, the authority plans to cut its energy use by 25 percent and save $1.8 million a year.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper headed to the authority’s Quigg Newton Homes development in northwest Denver to tour one of the first updated units.
The housing authority partnered with Honeywell and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on the $16 million program.
The authority’s executive director, Ismael Guerrero, said the program “will touch every one of our 3,700 units” and affect all 7,700 residents.
“And the best part … is that it pays for itself,” he said.
Housing authorities like Denver’s receive energy subsidies from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD will allow the Denver Housing Authority to use the subsidies to pay for financing the program.
