As a qualified Energy Star home developer, Chelsea Investment Corporation and its affiliates have committed their resources to reducing energy use while providing quality and comfort for their residents. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the Company for Outstanding Achievement in building energy efficient homes.

To make these properties part of the energy solution, Chelsea Investment Corporation follows California’s strict guidelines meant to reduce the amount of energy used.

Included in this process are the following standards:

• Energy Star rated ceiling fans, whole house fan or mechanically cooled HVAC systems for all bedrooms and living rooms
• Use of faucet flow restrictors and at least one High Efficiency toilet
• Use of environmentally friendly carpet, paint, as well formaldehyde free cabinetry, shelving, countertops and insulation
• Energy Star rated appliances in both common areas and resident units
• Landscape design that will retain, infiltrate and/or treat the first ½ inch of rainfall
• Non-smoking building or contiguous sections of buildings
• Dual glazed, Low E window

Fairbanks Ridge
Our signature affordable housing project, Fairbanks Ridge, incorporates a number of environmentally friendly design features.

Great care was taken when creating the landscape plan for this property. A xeriscape approach was implemented to provide quality landscaping that would conserve energy as well as protect the environment. Synthetic turf and drought tolerant native plant species were included for long term cost savings and water management.  Large, mature trees in 24”, 36” and 48” boxes were placed to provide solar shade for reduced energy usage. Trees adjacent to buildings are of a deciduous nature, to allow for solar warmth in the winter and cooling in the summer months.

The irrigation system has a state of the art water management controller. It uses an automatic mainline and valve shut off system in case of a break in the line or a valve that sticks in the open position. This safety alert will notify the user if the system is broken, thus managing the loss of water. A rain shut off device is built-in to automatically turn the system off in times of rainfall.

The landscape plan was modified to support the many solar components of the project. Tree size was changed as well as location of plants as to not conflict with the solar panels. The extensive solar system at Fairbanks Ridge handles the energy demands for the property’s common areas, such as outdoor lighting, laundry rooms and pool requirements. Our solar power systems operate reliably with little maintenance while providing clean electricity for the property.